Unhidden Curriculum
@unhiddencurriculum.bsky.social
Info and advice to support folks interested in STEM grad/programs/careers, with a particular focus on ecology, evolution, conservation and marine science.
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. 🦑🧪
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… 🦑🧪
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
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. 🧪🦑
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… 🦑🧪
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?… 🦑🧪
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! 🦑🧪
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 🦑🧪
“Why not me?” Is a powerful question to ask yourself. Someone is going to get that thing you’re applying/trying for. Why not you? Repeatedly visualize yourself achieving your goal, in different specific ways. 🦑🧪
Post docs (and grad students): Have a zoom interview for a faculty position? Lots of great ideas here: theprofessorisin.com/2011/10/31/t... Don’t be surprised if they ask very general/basic questions (that they could glean answers to from your application materials). 🦑🧪
I finally got around to updating the Oceanography for Everyone website. It's basic, but it gets the job done: oceanographyforeveryone.com I'm pathologically incapable of seeing my own typos, so do your worst.
Oceanography for Everyone
oceanographyforeveryone.com
Happy New Year! Now is a great time to write some *realistic* semester goals (and then break them into monthly goals). Post them somewhere you’ll see them regularly, and cross things off as you achieve them. This will help you 1) be intentional with how you spend your time, 🧪🦑
Early career and giving a poster at #SICB2024? Email a few relevant researchers that you’d like to meet and invite them to visit your poster! This is a great way to connect and the poster content will give you some extra talking points 🧪🦑
Grad students (and postdocs): make a website for your science! 💻 No, it is not too early, even if you don’t have a paper published in a peer-reviewed journal yet! Start one now and add to it little by little over time. This will help folks find you & invite you for opportunities.
Postdocs- when you start in a new lab, if your PI or the dept doesn’t invite you to give a seminar, ask about it! It will help you make connections, friends, collaborations and can go on your CV.
Grad students: you should not be made to feel like you have to provide food or coffee at committee mtgs or defenses. You are being evaluated on your science and knowledge. Committee members are paid well enough to get their own lunch/snack/drink! 🧪🦑
Grad students: if your advisor/committee members encourage you to defend, it means they think you’re ready to pass 😃
Ever feel unsure (or even nervous!) about how to define yourself as a scientist during intros (or social media descriptions, biographical blurbs)? Should you say, for example, “I’m a community ecologist/conservationist” vs “I’m a marine biologist” vs “I’m a microbiologist who studies global change”?
When working in a lab group, it is a great idea to talk about authorship in papers early and often. Whether you are an undergrad, post-bac, grad student, post-doc or other contributor: if co-authorship (or authorship) is a goal of yours, articulate this directly to the project and/or lab lead.
From undergrads applying to grad school to post-docs applying for faculty (or other) positions, folks very commonly get support on their application materials. It is a good idea💡to ask a lab mate, professor and/or friend to comment on your materials.
If you’re currently applying to grad school and application fees are a problem, you can ask the department you’re applying to if they can waive the fee.
Hi everyone! We will strive for a post a day to help reveal the hidden curriculum in ecology, evolution, conservation and marine biology. Please share with folks who might be interested in this content 😄
