Transcript Preparing students for success in graduate school
Preparing students for success in graduate school
Joslynn S. Lee November 3, 2012
How do you perceive success?
Gänseliesel, “Goose-girl” or most-kissed girl, Göttingen, Germany
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Example of success in learning - Sequoyah
• Cherokee Indian • Perfected the Cherokee alphabet and syllabary in 1821 • Families taught each other • 90% of Cherokees became literate within 10 years
What must a student learn in order to make a meaningful contribution to one’s community and society at large?
www.aises.org
http://americanindianoriginals.com/cherokee-sequoyah.html
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Do I belong in graduate school?
ADAPTABILITY
Making your path!
Culture Science Engineering Walking in between TWO worlds
Tools for Success
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Number of Science and Engineering American Indian and Alaska Native Graduate (Ph.D. & Master’s) Students
300 000 250 000 200 000 150 000 100 000 50 000
31,094 28,609 2,500
0 White Asian or Pacific Islander Black Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native Other or unknown Temporary resident National Science Foundation, National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering, 2010. http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/start.cfm
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What are AI/AN graduate students studying?
1 600 1 400 1 200 1 000 800 600 400 200 0
85
females males
244 More females in S&E graduate programs.
More females in science than males.
More males in engineering than females.
S&E Science Engineering National Science Foundation, National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering, 2010. http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/start.cfm
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Trend of AI/AN doctoral students from 2001-2010
120 100 80 60 Increase in science Ph.D.
• Agricultural sciences • Biological sciences • Computer sciences • Earth, atmospheric, and ocean sciences • Mathematics and statistics • Physical sciences • Psychology • Social sciences 40 20 Number of engineering students is still low 0 2001 2002 2003 total science degrees total engineering degrees 2004 2005
Year
2006 females in science females in engineering 2007 2008 2009 males in science males in engineering 2010 8
Do I belong in graduate school?
Making your path!
The answer is YES!
More representation of American Indian and Alaska Natives in S&E programs.
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How do you get to grad school?
Undergraduate research experience Apply senior year of undergrad (August – December) Huge commitment Perseverance and motivation
Graduate school
For S & E: Receive Stipend ($) - Cost of living - Tuition Waived Fellowships ($$$$) Apply after a few years in workforce and post undergrad 10
Undergraduate Studies
Fort Lewis College
Undergraduate Research
Durango, Colorado 1. FLC – Dr. Leslie Sommerville 2002-2006 2004-2006 Chemistry Biochemistry 2. Dartmouth Med School – Dr. Harry Higgs And Cellular Molecular Biology Hanover, NH Summer 2005 Tutor Lab Assistant Native American Honor Society
Professional Work
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Cambridge, MA 2006-2008 Analytical Chemistry Exposed to careers in chemistry
Graduate Studies
Northeastern University Boston, MA Dr. Mary Jo Ondrechen 2008-present AISES Graduate Student Association (GSA) Computational Chemistry Chemistry Club 11
What do you do in graduate school?
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Time-management
• Get a calendar, mark deadlines • Prioritize your schedule: – Teaching/Office hours/Grading – Coursework/time in class/Homework – Research/Experiments/Reading Background • Other essential items: – Laundry/Cooking/Cleaning – Mental/Physical/Relationships – Presence 13
For a valuable experience = get a quality advisor
• Their job is to guide you scientifically and in personal development – You are an Investment – You are their legacy • Association/relationship goes past grad work into careers – CV you list your advisor and project title – Networking for career and collaborations 14
What to consider when selecting a advisor
• Talk to current or past students in the lab – what hours do they expect you to work – Hands off: larger labs may require you to report to a postdoc – Hands on: be available for more guidance • Do they exhibit excitement about you joining the lab and your research – “Pet” projects – Fundable projects – Technology accessible/available 15
What to consider when selecting a advisor
• Realistic research plan • Realistic workload: their expectations • Available funding – Renewable grants – Limited funding teaching in later years • Status of advisor – Assistant professor, pressure to publish and receive tenure – Associate professor – Full professor 16
Land your own funding
• FREEDOM!
• Focus on research • Cost-of-education allowance – Conferences – Career training • Prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowships - Ford Foundation Hertz Fellowship 17
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow (awarded 2010)
Program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
disciplines who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees at accredited US institutions.
Fellows benefits: - three-year annual stipend of $30,000 - $10,500 cost of education allowance for tuition and fees - opportunities for international research and professional development - the freedom to conduct their own research at any accredited U.S. institution 18
Do I belong in graduate school?
Making your path!
ADAPTABILITY Culture Science Engineering Walking in between TWO worlds
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How did I get interested in science?
Being outside in nature during visits to my grandparent’s house growing up.
I was able to understand vegetation & life through my Native American culture.
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“Walking in between two worlds”
Idea of how do you maintain Native American values in a S&E career?
Find your passion to integrate with your values Issues that arise that conflict between cultures Do you need to sacrifice beliefs?
ADAPTABILITY is key!
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Utilizing Native values for success
Holistic worldview Belonging and connectedness Sense of community and “giving back” 22
Hózhó – Idea of balance and harmony
• Tradition teach us: – Seek balance – Observe the natural world • How to find your balance?
– Practice a healthy lifestyle – Mentally/Physically/Emotionally – Morning prayer to the Dine Diyin (Holy People) and they are up early, get up and run 23
How I keep balanced?
Yoga (Meditation) Running Teaching
Create my own community away from home.
Be more grounded.
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Belonging and Connectedness
• Traditions teach us: – Where we come from – Who we are – Where we stand • Native social foundation – Clan systems like a network – Collaborate and support one another,
create/use this support system
– Adapt to an academic environment Demmert et al. Journal of American Indian Education. 2006. 45:3.
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“Giving back”
• Traditions teach us: – Help our people – Greater community is important • Adaptability – Use your knowledge – Don’t get isolated in academic work – Volunteer in community/department – Mentor undergraduate/peers – Volunteer within community 26
Common issues that arise about culture and ethnicity
Examples of “walking in between two worlds” 27
Pressure to represent the larger race or ethnicity
• You feel you have to give your perspective – “speak up for all” – Asked for repeated participation in campus organization – Pressure to overachieve and be a successful person • How to handle: – Discuss how this makes you feel with others – Practice saying “no” 28
Dealing with stereotypes
• “they were only accepted to their program, hired or granted tenure because of their race or ethnicity” • How to handle: – You are in grad school, YOU WORKED HARD!
– Don’t get angry!
– Let people get to know you as a person rather than ethnicity/race.
– Seek out help if bullied.
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Limited cultural understanding from faculty or colleague
• Your cultural responsibilities – Traditions: attending feast days, be present for overnight ceremonies – Taboos or beliefs • Integrating values: – Communicate and discuss with professor, advisor, or colleague – Responsibility of department to share culture – Plan ahead and prioritize 30
Handling the transition of being away
Farmington, NM to Boston, MA Town to City, Southwest to New England 31
What are the priorities of the student’s family and community?
• Experience family resistance – Responsibilities to help family – Lack of information • Stay positive – Communicate – Think bigger picture, advancement of career – More options, research and experience – Define amount of time you’ll be gone – Find a mentor for support 32
Handling the transition of being away
• If miles from home, you will miss out on – Feast days, powwows, ceremonies – Aging of family members – Miss “back home” food – Only visit home occasionally • Build your own community – Share traditional foods with friends – Learn other cultures – Seek out others through AISES network 33
Visiting home
• Partake in ceremonies • Try to incorporate your learning experience with friends and family • Share your knowledge and experience 34
Do I belong in graduate school?
ADAPTABILITY Culture Science
Making your path!
Engineering Walking in between TWO worlds
Tools for Success
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Top Tools for Success
Passion Mentoring Leadership Professional development Networking 36
Passion is important
• Doing your best work requires passion • Grad school is long • Know what you want to study • Interdisciplinary projects, find the right department 37
Leadership skills
• Always work on these • Join national organizations/societies – AISES – SACNAS – American Chemical Society (ACS) – National
Society
of Professional
Engineers
(NSPE) – IEEE Computer Society • Take a lead in your local community 38
Finding a mentor
• Guide professionally and personally • No “hidden agenda” like an advisor – Give you insight • Seek out help from individuals who have been there • Promote an attitude of confidence and success • Meet them at national meetings and networking functions 39
Professional Development
• Do good science • Write good papers • Write successful grant applications • Provide quality oral & poster presentations • Always think of the next step • Keep contact with professionals 40
Share your scientific success
• Many opportunities out there – Conferences (domestic, international) – Workshops (in field or professional development) – Outreach/Networking events • Create collaborations • Building your network for future collaborations • Job hunting 41
Expect criticism on your work
• Is part of the process of science and engineering • Fight for your idea!
• Build your confidence – Practice presentation skills – Knowledge, read, read, read • Grow a thick skin – Experiments fail – Your work may not be seen as significant Bourne.
PLoS Computational Biology:Ten Simple Rules.
2008-2012 42
Network effectively
Dos and don’ts to be remembered and make a successful connection 43
Practice your introduction
• Be a good story!
– Limit robot tone • Show confidence, SMILE • Master the 1-minute elevator talk Example: Using computational tools, I study protein structure and function to apply for rational drug design and understand protein evolution.
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Basic manners
• Greeting – make eye contact, not too long – Firm handshake, not too strong • Properly wear nametag – Upper right shoulder area • Prevent icy grip, hold drink in left hand • Politely excuse yourself • Bring business cards Kallmerten, ACS Careers Talk Boston 2012 45
Other things to consider
• Avoid smoking, strong odor • If possible, eat beforehand • Turn phone off, put on vibrate for emergency • Branch out to other groups • Ask others questions, don’t do all the talking • Always thank the host Kallmerten, ACS Careers Talk Boston 2012 46
Success can be achieved by adaptability
• Define your idea of success • Make goals for graduate school • Find a mentor • Practice your Native values in your daily life • Build professional connections • Share knowledge with others 47
Acknowledgments
• NEU Provost Office – Travel – Handouts • Mentors: – Prof. Mary Jo Ondrechen (NEU) – Prof. Les Sommerville (FLC) • Gathered information from countless websites 48
Your turn to ask questions
• Q&A • Panel – Faculty – Graduate Students • Continue the discussion?
– Find me – Email me: [email protected]
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Extra Slides
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Top 20 academic institutions awarding S&E doctoral degrees American Indian or Alaska Native All institutions Top 20 institutions U. CA, Berkeley U. AZ OK State U., Main Campus U. MN, Twin Cities SUNY, U. Buffalo Alliant International U., San Diego Stanford U.
U. NC, Chapel Hill U. OK, Norman WA State U.
MI State U.
U. MI, Ann Arbor U. ND, All Campuses AZ State U., Main Campus Capella U.
CO State U., Fort Collins TX A&M U., College Station U. CA, San Diego U. WA, Seattle VA Polytechnic Institute and State U.
All other institutions 526 207 28 21 15 15 10 9 7 7 7 7 7 319 9 9 9 9 8 8 8 7 7 51