June 18, 2019
The Challenges of Workforce Re-training in STEM Fields
There are a plethora of reasons why one might leave the workforce, whether it be to take time off for their families, taking the opportunity to travel, or simply just to take some personal time to themselves. While the reasons for taking time off may be simple, the question of how to re-enter the workforce may not be as straightforward. Returning to the workforce after taking time off can seem an insurmountable …
June 5, 2019
How Can Universities and Colleges Advance Community Science?
A cool thing about working at Thriving Earth Exchange is learning about excellent work being done in community science. There is a lot going on in colleges and universities, and even research-focused universities are starting to change in ways that advance and support community science. In making those changes, they can look to a history of community science in two-year colleges, agricultural extension offices, tribal colleges, and historically black colleges. …
June 1, 2019
Do’s and Don’ts of Research Abroad
Researching or studying abroad can be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Here are some important tips to think about when navigating a new experience abroad: Be grateful for your experience. This is a limited opportunity and if you are selected over the many others who would have been overjoyed to have your spot. Don’t waste your time with negativity or complaints about this new experience. Be mindful of your …
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 …
May 14, 2019
Getting Ahead Online: AGU’s Virtual Poster Showcase
It is undeniable that conferences offer a plethora of opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to network, learn, and receive crucial feedback on their research from peers and subject matter experts in their field. As exciting and beneficial as conferences are, some students miss out on these career-building opportunities. For this reason, AGU holds a Virtual Poster Showcase (VPS) in which undergraduate and graduate students from around the globe can …
May 13, 2019
Finding Jobs in the Government
Useful Resources for Finding Jobs in the Federal Government While most geoscientists are employed in academia or industry, there are a significant number employed by the federal government. Employment with the federal government is in-between industry and academia in many ways – salary, benefits, academic freedom, and so on. Many people don’t know what the federal government does, and have no idea what employment opportunities there are. If you’re …
May 8, 2019
Stop Talking and Listen
Career arc: A citizen of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, located on Cape Cod, MA, Thornbrugh’s life and work center around serving American Indian Tribal Nations. Although he grew up outside of the Tribal community, his parents instilled in him a strong connection to its culture and values from an early age. While pursuing his doctorate in geography at the University of Arizona, Thornbrugh commuted an hour and 20 minutes roundtrip …
“Activist Engineering”
Career arc: Darshan Karwat loved rockets and space for as long as he can remember. After moving to the U.S. from India, Karwat earned both a BSE and Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. While in school, he found himself asking questions about sustainability, social justice and the responsibilities of scientists and engineers in addressing big societal challenges like climate change. Some of those questions …
“Under what circumstances does science help inform policy?”
Career arc: Susanne Moser has never constrained herself to just one field. During her training, she started out in physical geography, a field that incorporates “all flavors of geoscience, even humanities,” then moved into human geography, which gave her a great foundation for examining the million-dollar question: Under what circumstances does science help inform policy? She’s carried that question with her throughout her career, which has focused much on adaptation …
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.