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Preparing students for success in graduate school Joslynn S. Lee November 3, 2012

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How do you perceive success? 3 Gnseliesel, Goose-girl or most-kissed girl, Gttingen, 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 4 www.aises.org http://americanindianoriginals.com/cherokee-sequoyah.html What must a student learn in order to make a meaningful contribution to ones community and society at large?

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5 Tools for Success ADAPTABILITY Do I belong in graduate school? Making your path! Culture Science Engineering Walking in between TWO worlds

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Number of Science and Engineering American Indian and Alaska Native Graduate (Ph.D. & Masters) Students 6 2,500 28,609 31,094 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.cfmhttp://www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/start.cfm

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What are AI/AN graduate students studying? 7 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.cfmhttp://www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/start.cfm More females in S&E graduate programs. More females in science than males. More males in engineering than females. 85 244

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Trend of AI/AN doctoral students from 2001-2010 8 Number of engineering students is still low Increase in science Ph.D. Agricultural sciences Biological sciences Computer sciences Earth, atmospheric, and ocean sciences Mathematics and statistics Physical sciences Psychology Social sciences

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9 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? 10 Traditional Non-traditional Apply senior year of undergrad (August December) Apply after a few years in workforce and post- undergrad Graduate school For S & E: Receive Stipend ($) -Cost of living -Tuition Waived Fellowships ($$$$) Undergraduate research experience Huge commitment Perseverance and motivation

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11 Undergraduate Studies Fort Lewis College Durango, Colorado 2002-2006 Chemistry- Biochemistry 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

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What do you do in graduate school? 12

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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

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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 14 Association/relationship goes past grad work into careers CV you list your advisor and project title Networking for career and collaborations

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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 15 Do they exhibit excitement about you joining the lab and your research Pet projects Fundable projects Technology accessible/available

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What to consider when selecting a advisor 16 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

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Land your own funding FREEDOM! Focus on research Cost-of-education allowance Conferences Career training Prestigious -National Science Foundation Graduate Research FellowshipNational Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship -National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) FellowshipsNational Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowships -Ford Foundation -Hertz FellowshipHertz Fellowship 17

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National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow (awarded 2010) 18 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

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19 ADAPTABILITY Do I belong in graduate school? Making your path! Culture Science Engineering Walking in between TWO worlds

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How did I get interested in science? 20 Being outside in nature during visits to my grandparents 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? 21 Issues that arise that conflict between cultures Do you need to sacrifice beliefs? ADAPTABILITY is key! Find your passion to integrate with your values

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Utilizing Native values for success Holistic worldview Belonging and connectedness Sense of community and giving back 22

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Hzh 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

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How I keep balanced? Yoga (Meditation) Running Teaching 24 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 25 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 Dont get isolated in academic work Volunteer in community/department Mentor undergraduate/peers Volunteer within community 26

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Common issues that arise about culture and ethnicity Examples of walking in between two worlds 27

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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

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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! Dont get angry! Let people get to know you as a person rather than ethnicity/race. Seek out help if bullied. 29

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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

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Handling the transition of being away 31 Farmington, NM to Boston, MA Town to City, Southwest to New England

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What are the priorities of the students 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 youll be gone Find a mentor for support 32

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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

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Visiting home Partake in ceremonies Try to incorporate your learning experience with friends and family Share your knowledge and experience 34

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35 Tools for Success ADAPTABILITY Do I belong in graduate school? Making your path! Culture Science Engineering Walking in between TWO worlds

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Top Tools for Success Passion Mentoring Leadership Professional development Networking 36

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 42 Bourne. PLoS Computational Biology:Ten Simple Rules. 2008-2012

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Network effectively Dos and donts to be remembered and make a successful connection 43

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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

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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 45 Kallmerten, ACS Careers Talk Boston 2012

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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, dont do all the talking Always thank the host 46 Kallmerten, ACS Careers Talk Boston 2012

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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

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Acknowledgments NEU Provost Office Travel Handouts Mentors: Prof. Mary Jo Ondrechen (NEU) Prof. Les Sommerville (FLC) Gathered information from countless websites 48

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Your turn to ask questions Q&A Panel Faculty Graduate Students Continue the discussion? Find me Email me: lee.jos@husky.neu.edu 49

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Extra Slides 50

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Top 20 academic institutions awarding S&E doctoral degrees 51 American Indian or Alaska Native All institutions526 Top 20 institutions207 U. CA, Berkeley28 U. AZ21 OK State U., Main Campus15 U. MN, Twin Cities15 SUNY, U. Buffalo10 Alliant International U., San Diego9 Stanford U.9 U. NC, Chapel Hill9 U. OK, Norman9 WA State U.9 MI State U.8 U. MI, Ann Arbor8 U. ND, All Campuses8 AZ State U., Main Campus7 Capella U.7 CO State U., Fort Collins7 TX A&M U., College Station7 U. CA, San Diego7 U. WA, Seattle7 VA Polytechnic Institute and State U.7 All other institutions319