Unhidden Curriculum

If someone’s comments get under your skin, discuss the content of the comments (not the person who said them) with a trusted peer or friend/family member. Don’t bottle it up… that breeds #ImposterSyndrome

Keeping yourself in a positive frame of mind re work will allow you to be more creative & productive and solve problems more easily…

Some people may tell you things like “Nobody at this university cares about your work”. Interpret this as “The person speaking with me feels no one cares about THEIR work.” You do not need to feel this way. Do not let these statements undermine your Career Self’s sense of value/motivation. 🦑🧪

It is b/c they’ve been presenting/pitching/refining versions of those concepts & slides for years, such that some phrasings etc are now memorized/automatic. If you choose to become a prof, the process of doing a PhD, 1+ postdocs & applying for faculty jobs will make you highly practiced/fluid too!

Profs have to work hard to keep up with class material, esp the first few semesters they teach a class. 2) Profs ARE fluid in presenting their core research/associated slides/ideas but it is not because they are innately more “professorial”…

Do you ever think “Professor X makes teaching/presenting look easy but it doesn’t feel easy to me, so I must not be Professor material”? Banish that thought!!! 1) teaching is not easy for the Prof. They have to prep/read/learn/re-learn before teaching most things… 🦑🧪

It is great to give the prof a few bullet points about why you are excited about this opportunity/how it will propel your career forward, and what positive things you think they could highlight about you.

… future applications, so don’t hesitate to ask! Just always request letters nicely (don’t take them for granted), give the prof time, and say thanks.

…Let them know! They will be enthusiastic to cheer for you and/or may be able to help. They will also see that you are persistent and determined when you try again (even if declined on apps). The first letter is the most investment for the prof - it is not a big deal to edit the letter again for…

It is ok to resend the email after a week if they don’t respond initially. It is ok to ping them a week and a day before the letter is due (and the day of) if they haven’t let you know the letter is submitted yet. When they submit, say thank you! And when you find out if you got in (or not)…

When requesting letters of recommendation, give the prof at least 2 weeks lead time, and send them an email asking if they can write you a strong letter. Include your resume/CV and a reasonable draft of your app materials, a description of what you’re applying to & how to submit their letter 🧪🦑

@viromegirl.bsky.social has great advice on her lab website re: how to email a professor about opportunities to conduct research in their lab. 🧪 🦑
drive.google.com/file/d/1TAM2...

it's wild that R, the ubiquitous statistical computing language, was co-created by a Māori prof (Ross Ihaka) — and yet the vast majority of scientists who use R don't know

this is like inventing the toaster. possibly the largest impact of a single member of an indigenous community on modern science

be able to purchase/pay for these items through a university account (rather than than as a private individual). If you aren’t sure who the pre-award person is that you should email, ask the prof of the lab you work in, or a department staff member

It is important to do this so that the uni can receive your money and set up a fund for you to spend it out of. If the funds come to your personal account, you will be taxed as though it is personal income. Also, if you need to buy certain chemicals or supplies for your research, you may only…

They will tell you if they need to set up your proposal in the uni’s sponsored programs system, and if so, what docs they need from you to do this. Write the pre-awards person at least 2 weeks before your grant is due - it takes time for things to go through the uni’s system.

Undergrads and all later career stages - when applying for external research funding (ie not from the university you attend) - ALWAYS send an email to the pre-awards grant specialist for your dept saying what grant you’re applying for and include a link. 🧪🦑

Some folks prefer a window seat so that you can lean on the wall and sleep. Although an aisle seat is harder to sleep in, it is easier to move out of if your seat mate is acting inappropriately. If you are being harassed or assaulted, immediately talk to a flight attendant or analogous person.

Trigger alert (sexual assault):

Many folks are aware that issues with sexual harassment and assault can occur at study sites. Fewer folks may be aware that incidents are also common while traveling to and from study sites on planes, trains and buses… 🦑🧪

-share your current lack of a plan :) & ask for advice on making one
-etc etc

The instructor will be glad you came! And you never know what opportunities might grow out of getting to know your instructors and sharing your interests, ideas and aspirations!

Besides clarification on course content, you could:
-ask about the instructors path to where they are today
-ask things they wished they’d known as an undergrad/grad student
-share your current plan and ask for advice or thoughts

Going to office hours has many benefits - in addition to helping get your questions answered on course material, it also helps you develop a professional relationship with the instructors (and teaching assistants). Not sure what to ask at office hours?… 🦑🧪

Things to consider may include visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, medical kit, head lamp, protection from the elements (sunglasses, rash guard, sunblock, hat), bug repellent, bug net for sleeping, cell phone SIM card, satellite phone, field safety plan, copy of insurance card/passport…

Folks who are traveling to conduct research in a natural environment (especially for the first time or in a new location) may feel anxiety about what conditions will be like, what to pack etc… it is reasonable to ask for a suggested packing list specific to work planned for your group! 🦑🧪

Stipend amount, health care, fees, summer salary, # yrs guaranteed funding, etc vary across programs. After reading the admissions information page for a prospective department, it is good to ask department administrator/any professor you’re talking with about joining their lab any ?s you still have

Interested in applying to grad programs but worried about $$$? You shouldn’t be charged tuition & can expect to receive a stipend in a STEM PhD program. Some Masters programs are also fully funded; others aren’t. 1/x 🦑🧪

Science letter: Changing outdated expectations www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Everyone can think of multiple reasons. And since everyone can… why not you? Not trying to be a Pollyanna here, but putting yourself in a more powerful, optimistic mental space will help you present your strongest self.

Asking “why not me?” and visualizing your success will increase the positivity, confidence, and power you bring to a challenge. This will, most importantly, impact what you feel capable of, and secondarily, make a positive impression on others.

For example, visualize yourself killing it during zoom interviews, during in person interviews, during your defense, during grad school visits (and prepare and practice to back this up). It CAN be you. Everyone has strengths and areas where they are focusing on improving.