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November 25, 2019
Tips for Selecting a Senior Thesis Adviser
Completing a senior thesis is a major part of the undergraduate experience. It’s a massive commitment, so deciding who you want to work with for an entire year can cause a lot of stress and uncertainty. There are many factors to consider in selecting an adviser, such as your areas of interest, compatibility with your adviser, and project management preferences. Before you commit to working with a professor for the duration of your senior …
October 21, 2019
First-Gen in STEM
The daily hustle and bustle of working in the lab and classroom is often enough to render anyone exhausted by the end of the day. For first-generation students, this lifestyle may just be the tip of the iceberg. Many first-gen students come from families whose daily financial struggles are all too real. On top of this, first-gen students do not have the built-in network to navigate new paths of adulthood …
October 7, 2019
“Which of my skills can I still use if jobs look totally different in the future?” Takeaways from the Workshop on the Future of Undergraduate STEM Education
From 12-13 September, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Roundtable on Systemic Change in Undergraduate STEM Education hosted a public Workshop on the Future of Undergraduate STEM Education. The meeting goals included learning about trends impacting higher education and discussing the Roundtable’s work to improve teaching evaluation and evidence-based instruction. Participants left not only with new ideas about how to improve student learning in STEM, but also what skills are most important for students to develop in order …
May 28, 2019
College Graduates Have New Decisions to Make
“Now what?” This is the question many recent graduates are facing today. They may not always see the completion of their undergraduate studies as reaching the finish line. For these former students, there are three primary perspectives among them: those continuing their education, those entering the workforce immediately, and those that choose to take some time off before making decisions about their long-term future. Earning a bachelor’s degree is no …
May 23, 2019
How to Avoid Getting Burnt Out
A common problem amongst undergraduate and graduate students today is finding ways to remain driven in the face of growing stress. By the time many students graduate, they may carry with them a lack of motivation that transcends into the workplace or future academic studies. With this in mind, it is important for students to find ways to avoid getting burnt out in order to remain inspired throughout their educational …
February 1, 2019
Volunteering and Experience Beyond Your Field
As an undergraduate student, you often hear the words “experience” and “internship” and feel the pressure of obtaining an internship or experience directly related to your major(s) and intended career path. While it is important to gain experience in your field where you can see the practical applications of the knowledge you have gained through your coursework, volunteering and other experiences outside of your major(s) can be equally beneficial. We’ve …
On the Job is an AGU blog, that provides career advice and workforce guidance to geoscience students, early-career and established professionals who are interested in pursuing professional enrichment.