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
3
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
4
Do I belong in
graduate
school?
ADAPTABILITY
Culture
Making
your
path!
Science
Engineering
Walking in
between TWO worlds
Tools for Success
5
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
31,094
50,000
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
6
What are AI/AN graduate students studying?
1,600
females
1,400
males
1,200
1,000
More females in
S&E graduate
programs.
More females in
science than
males.
800
600
400
244
200
85
More males in
engineering than
females.
0
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
7
Trend of AI/AN doctoral students from 2001-2010
120
Increase in science
Ph.D.
Number of degrees
100
•
•
•
•
80
•
•
•
•
60
Agricultural sciences
Biological sciences
Computer sciences
Earth, atmospheric, and
ocean sciences
Mathematics and statistics
Physical sciences
Psychology
Social sciences
Number of
engineering
students is still low
40
20
0
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
Year
2007
2008
2009
total science degrees
females in science
males in science
total engineering degrees
females in engineering
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.
9
How do you get to grad school?
Undergraduate
research
experience
Huge commitment
Perseverance and
motivation
Apply senior year
of undergrad
(August –
December)
Apply after a few
years in workforce
and postundergrad
Graduate school
For S & E:
Receive Stipend ($)
- Cost of living
- Tuition Waived
Fellowships ($$$$)
10
Undergraduate Studies
Fort Lewis
College
Durango,
Colorado
2002-2006
ChemistryBiochemistry
And
Cellular Molecular
Biology
Tutor
Lab Assistant
Native American
Honor Society
Chemistry Club
Undergraduate Research
1. FLC – Dr. Leslie
Sommerville
2004-2006
2. Dartmouth Med
School – Dr. Harry
Higgs
Hanover, NH
Summer 2005
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
11
What do you do in graduate school?
12
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
17
- Hertz Fellowship
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?
ADAPTABILITY
Culture
Making
your
path!
Science
Engineering
Walking in
between TWO worlds
19
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.
20
“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!
21
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.
24
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.
25
“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.
29
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
Making
your
path!
Science
Engineering
Walking in
between TWO worlds
Tools for Success
35
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.
44
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: lee.jos@husky.neu.edu
49
Extra Slides
50
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
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319
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