Does Advisor Assist in Designing Program?

[janaep]

So, I've been advised by a variety of people in my goal industry that while completing my PhD I need to emphasize a specific skill set (so that I can get a job in Industry X later). I'm wondering whether my graduate advisor is the person who will help me outline a tentative schedule of courses over the next couple of years, if there is someone else in the department who normally does that, or if I am on my own.

I just sort of threw darts during my undergrad years and it didn't really work out very well, so I'd like to put more thought and preemptive planning into it this time. But I also don't want to email my advisor to ask for his help if that is a ridiculous request....since I already feel stupid when I talk to him as it is.

[Sassytune]

I just sort of threw darts during my undergrad years and it didn't really work out very well, so I'd like to put more thought and preemptive planning into it this time. But I also don't want to email my advisor to ask for his help if that is a ridiculous request....since I already feel stupid when I talk to him as it is.

Oh absolutely ask your advisor for guidelines on coursework. You don't want to waste time taking courses that are not useful.

I don't understand why you should feel stupid when you talk to your advisor ... to me that would be a red flag, since I am going to learn there, if I already knew everything, what am I doing in the school? I know for sure, I will be having lots of "DUH" moments, but that for me is part of the learning process.

[fuzzylogician]

In general your advisor will be the first person to talk to about course selection. Another good source of information in every department is peers from more advanced years, but the catch here is that to some extent you have to know who and what to ask. Yet another potential source of information is the DGS, who should know what other students with related interests have done in previous years. If you make unconventional decisions you might need to have your curriculum approved by more than just your advisor, but going to your advisor is certainly a good place to start and you should not feel at all stupid to bring it up.

[UnlikelyGrad]

So, I've been advised by a variety of people in my goal industry that while completing my PhD I need to emphasize a specific skill set (so that I can get a job in Industry X later). I'm wondering whether my graduate advisor is the person who will help me outline a tentative schedule of courses over the next couple of years, if there is someone else in the department who normally does that, or if I am on my own.

In my department there is a core set of courses that everyone takes, which made at least part of the decision making easy. For the rest, your advisor is definitely one of the people who you should talk to. Once you get a thesis committee, it will be a joint decision.