Teaching Faculty Wannabe

Currently taking a gap year so I can rest, relax, and enjoy life before work takes over my life. I am sleeping a ton, trying to read more since I didn’t do much in my undergrad. I am also trying to come a mentor for a student at one of the local public schools. Maybe I will volunteer at the local library and/or in a lab. We shall see. Taking a gap year has helped me clear my mind, focus on applications, and figure out my research interests. I highly suggest one to anyone who needs it! Also, I have been watching a lot of shows on Netflix!

I figured. Are you going to listen in/call today?

Royal pain

Did anyone else get an email about a week ago talking about a conference call explaining new steps with GEM happening tomorrow and this Thursday at 2pm? I think it’s for people who already have been selected by an employer, but I wanted to make sure I wasn’t the only one.

Thanks. I will try my best to stay patient and not let my imposter syndrome get the best of me. Also, I hope the news you heard today was good!

Is it just me or has anyone else haven’t from any schools yet? It’s great seeing you all get interviews and acceptances, though! I’m just feeling very discouraged....

baking battle

Just FYI, you may never be contacted until after being selected. Maybe one day you will be selected by the employer and then be allowed to accept them. That’s what’s happened to me. I accepted my employer’s offer in late December, but I didn’t hear from them until a few days ago. I feel like a hypocrite saying this (actually, I am one), but just try to be patient. That’s all your can really do, sadly. I hope they accept you and contact you soon, though! If you are concerned, you can always call or email GEM about it and maybe they will know more. From what I can tell, GEM is an organization that recruits undergrads to apply to grad school and helps grad school applicants/students get funding through their member schools (who I think pay a fee to be a member) as well as help them get internship experiences through their member employers (who I also think pay a fee). I think with these fees, GEM is able to help cover tution and fees. The unverisities and employers help fund the student with a stipend and paid summer internship, but I think GEM provides a stipend for the first year. GEM mainly is just a way to help underrepresented students in STEM apply to grad school with the hope that the result is that there is more diversity in STEM.

iron skillet

I think this is smart! I might try and do the same. I also agree the people who are first-generation and/or of the LGBTQ+ community should also be considered underrepresented. Kind of dumb that they aren’t.

Sending good vibes to everyone!

Your profile looks great! I hope all goes well for you, and yes, please let us know where you end up going! Also, just curious, what kind of energy materials do you want to study?

Thanks for the insight! Something to consider, especially since I agree that it is a crime that there isn’t a good sushi joint!

Shoe box

Magic book

Thanks!!!!! ? Feeling a tiny bit better about life. Just a micron.

My employer finally contacted me! Yay!

I applied to MedE at Caltech as well, but I have gotten complete radio silence from them. I haven’t heard anything either.

I did a Skype interview with a professor a few days ago, but nothing beyond that. Hopefully we will hear something soon!

I just need one school with a great PI to accept me! Just one! Pretty please with a cherry on top! And some sprinkles...

Dust pan

I have a Spotify playlist called “Songs that make me want to DANNNNCCCCEEEEE” and it has helped me through these mentally troubling times. I always dance my stress away (well, some of it, anyway)!

No problem! The letter was a page long. I think a little longer than that is okay, but making it too long could be bad. You could ask if there is anything in particular she would like you to mention in the letter. I know students sometimes tell teachers specific things they would like to have mentioned in their recommendations and/or teachers ask students for help them out while writing letters for the students.

I suppose some people get invited directly by POIs, but I feel like that’s rare. Most invitations are weekend/multi-day things were you tour the campus, meet grad students, and get to talk to multiple POIs, I believe.

@Rey38 I have had to write a letter of recommendation for one of my professors for an award he applied to, so I hope I can provide some help! I talked about how I became acquainted with him. He runs this summer program where I was able to conduct research overseas. I talked about the program and the specific parts of the programs he runs and how he helped the participants of the program (he traveled with us to Australia and stayed with us to make sure we were acclimated before leaving, etc). I then talked about how this program helped me academically and professionally. So, you definitely want to gear the letter towards your experiences with your MA advisor. How has she helped you academically? How has she helped you professionally and personally? Has she helped anyone else that you know? Describe this. Were you given specific qualifications that she needs to embody to become a full professor? If so, discuss how she embodies them? If not, I would ask her if there anything she could suggest to you. Does she do any side projects/outreach/volunteer opportunities related to her work at the university? If so, talk about those. I hope this helps! Good luck!