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Taking Charge of Your Training to Maximize Your Future…. Adapted by Dr. Gail P. Taylor, University of Texas at San Antonio Revised 5/2013. Life is all about perspective…. http://users.skynet.be/J.Beever/pave.htm.
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Taking Charge of Your Training to Maximize Your Future… Adapted by Dr. Gail P. Taylor, University of Texas at San Antonio Revised 5/2013
Life is all about perspective… http://users.skynet.be/J.Beever/pave.htm
Your Perspective, Your Point of View, Really Matters in Life…Particularly Involving your Future…
Attitudes about College • It’s something to complete as soon as possible • It must be completed ON TIME! • It’s something my parents made me do • It’s a way of life • It’s all about grades! • It’s a guaranteed ticket for a good job • It’s a time to explore! • It’s a time to build credentials for a future career
Where are you? • You’ve likely adjusted to college… • You’re figuring out grades • You’ve got a support network and friends • Now… • How to make college deeper/richer • How to prepare for next steps • How will you do this? • Engineers • Biology
Many just sit in classes day after day… Others seek to stand out!
You must develop your credentials!Time to start planning and focusing on your next steps!
Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now ~Alan Lakein
Research your Path Decide something! Establish Your Credentials! Coursework foundation Take what you’ll need, not degree requirements! Look at graduate program requirements Make Program of Study Learn your material Get strong grades! Obtain Professional Experience Internships Co-ops On-campus Research Summer programs General Preparation
Cultivate Letters of Recommendation and Contacts Meet your professors- LOR Get to know other students Stretch yourself with Leadership experiences, etc. Volunteer and get involved (education) Learn how to work with groups Theses/Proposals Complete required tasks Degree paperwork GRE MCAT EIT Evaluate Grad/Prof Schools Reassess as needed! Plan to Achieve Your Objectives!
Overcome “weaknesses” Fear #1 Oral presentations Writing Fear Passivity Anxiety Single-mindedness Self-doubt/Imposter Syndrome Reassess as needed! Plan to Achieve Your Objectives!
Path to PhD • Undergraduate -> PhD (Biosciences) • Undergraduate -> Start MS -> PhD (others) • Undergraduate -> Postbacc -> PhD • Undergraduate -> Job (research) -> PhD • Undergraduate -> MS -> PhD (others) • Depends on: • Research Experience • Skill in lab • Letters • Confidence • Grades
PhD Preparation in Particular • Course work • Laboratory Research & Prof Development • Find laboratory • Ethics and laboratory safety • Learn lab culture • Techniques • Reading the literature/High level reading • Experiments • Data Analysis • Writing Abstracts • Conferences • Poster and Oral Presentation • Courses (mentor recommended) • Summer Research • Writing Theses • GRE/MCAT Tests
Opportunities often Come Disguised as Hard Work, so Some People Don’t Recognize Them…. Ann Landers…
Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises…. ~Demosthenes
Why Research? • Reasons diverse as there are researchers • Discovery • Help others • “Born” researcher • Curiosity • Always something new going on • Exciting environment • Bored when not learning new things • Can change fields
Other Benefits to UG Research • Academic: • Validates coursework • Intro to balancing school and research • Deeper Faculty contact/mentoring • Personal: • Self-confidence • Maturity • Knowledge that you can have an impact • Generally, an increase in motivation • Professional • Observe a “high level” career • Learn to speak like a professional • CV/Resume that stands out • Letters of recommendation • Publications • Doors open into Grad School or Jobs
How to Impress Faculty… • Strong grasp of your course work • Strong work ethic and productivity • Responsibly finish what is assigned to you • Work to solve own problems • Attitude- enjoyment of what you are doing • Teamwork • Respect self and others • Good communication • Honesty/Integrity • High level critical thinking (take time to think!) • How do you approach problems? • What is the next step of your project? • What are the implications of your project?
Types of Opportunities not to Miss! If you want to deepen your education and yourself • Workshops • National Summer Programs (REU, SURF, MURF) • Volunteering • Work Study (WSRTP) • Honors Research (COS or Honors College) • Leadership opportunities • Internships • Research Training/Independent Study • Research Training Programs – RISE, MARC, McNair, LSAMP, TREE, HLAE