By Sadaf Atarod
At some stage during your education in STEM, many of you will seek to work or volunteer at a laboratory where you will gain hands-on experience and partake in research towards a dissertation or attainment for a higher degree. This can be a challenging decision as it may significantly impact your future career path. To make this task easier, here are a couple of pointers that may guide you through your research and lab selection process.
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By Amy L. Kullas
A key bit of career knowledge that I wish I had realized earlier is the importance of remaining involved. As an undergraduate, I was involved in student government and scientific societies, which helped strengthen my application for graduate school. However, as both a graduate student and postdoctoral fellow, I focused solely on my bench science research and was no longer actively involved with extracurriculars. I still volunteered if opportunities presented themselves, but I no longer sought them out.
This presented a problem when I needed to find a position after only a year of being a postdoc (due to funding problems outside my control). I was able to secure interviews, but wasn’t offered any positions other than another postdoc. Although I considered myself a capable scientist, I found myself competing with scientists who had remained involved in activities in addition to their research experience. Now in my second postdoc, I’ve made a point to gain new techniques and expertise both scientifically and professionally. Scientifically, I sought a postdoc in a lab that does translational research to complement my basic research training. I’ve honed my technical writing by submitting a grant and my mentoring skills by advising a summer student. Additionally, I am involved with my local postdoc association and society chapters – two opportunities to network and gain experience in areas that I may pursue as a career. These opportunities would have been available during my first postdoc, had I spent the time to remain a ‘well-rounded’ individual and scientist. A few easy ways to get started with your Scientista extracurriculars:
By Lakshini Mendis
Forensic scientist? Be honest you’re already thinking about CSI, Law and Order or Bones! These shows have been great in showcasing the world of forensics, but let’s take a closer (and more realistic look) at what being a forensic scientist really means. Forensic scientists give an unbiased view of scientific results and help lawyers, juries and judges to interpret these results. So they do play a role in criminal matters, but they are also involved in civil cases, such as a lawsuit from a vehicle or medical problems. 4/27/2015 0 Comments Nothing Worth Having is Easy
By Sadaf Atarod
Do men still express deliberate prejudice against women? No, most men do support women equally, if not more at times than the women especially in the early career days. This demonstrates an improvement for more women leaders and role models to stand out from the crowd. Universities are trying to promote awareness on diversity and equality with emphasis on women but more needs to be done (The Loudest Duck is a good read on how to diversify the workforce). Nevertheless, insidious sexism does exist. So how can we create the foundation for progression of women from the very first levels to the higher up? Here are several suggestions to bring about a cultural change sooner than later.
By Lakshini Mendis
Physiotherapists (or physical therapists as they are sometimes known) are health-care professionals who use physical intervention to promote mobility, reduce pain, restore function and prevent disability.
While many physiotherapists work as part of a wider remedial team in a hospital environment, more than 80% practice in other settings from aged nursing facilities, to private practices, schools, and sports-fields. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2010, physiotherapists in the US earned an average wage of $76,310 annually. Further, a growth of 39% of the profession is expected by 2020. To practice as a physiotherapist in the US, you must now complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree (DPT) and pass a state-administered national exam. The Master of Physical Therapy and Master of Science in Physical Therapy are no longer offered to new students in the US. The DPT degree is a competitive 3-4 year post-baccalaureate program. It is worth noting that some programs offer freshman entry into a streamlined program of three undergrad years and three graduate years to earn the DPT degree. You can find a comprehensive list of schools that provide an accredited DPT program here. Completion of a DPT degree can be followed by further training via residencies or fellowships, or by gaining a specialty certification. There are currently eight recognized specialty areas in physical therapy. These are: cardiovascular and pulmonary physiotherapy, clinical electrophysiology, geriatric, integumentary, neurological, orthopedic, pediatric, sports and women’s health. But what is working as a physiotherapist really like? I chatted to Narisara Dhruv and Blair Davids to find out. Nari works as part of the Acute Physiotherapy team at Waikato hospital and Blair works as an Aged Care physiotherapist in Brisbane. 3/29/2015 3 Comments So You Want To Be An Audiologist?
By Lakshini Mendis
Audiologists are health-care professionals who help people preserve and enhance their sense of hearing. They are usually trained to diagnose and manage hearing, tinnitus, or problems with balance. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, audiologists in the US earned a median wage of $66,660 in 2010. Further, a growth of 37% of the profession is expected by 2020. In the United States to practice as an audiologist, you must have a state license or registration and have completed a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.). The Au.D. degree is a competitive four-year post-baccalaureate program, with externship experiences and clinical training opportunities in the final year. You must also pass a national exam as part of your degree. While most states also require a Hearing Aid Dispenser License, legislation to get rid of this additional step is currently underway. There are currently about 74 Au.D. programs across the US. You can find a list of them here (for those of you based outside the US, try this). But what is being an audiologist really like? I chatted to Nalisha Hari and Mei Yen Tan (two audiologists based in New Zealand) to find out. By Alex Hsain
In May of 2013 I was selected for a summer internship at NASA Langley. I remember pouring over my application in early February, agonizing over every word and syllable. I knew a high-schooler had a slim chance of landing at NASA’s doorstep, but you can’t blame me for trying. I remember sitting behind the wheel of my crippled 1994 Buick with its peeling leather seats and over-heated interior and doing mental backflips as the coordinator on the other end explained my position, days after I had received notice of my acceptance. I was being offered a summer internship at the Advanced Materials and Processing Lab at NASA Langley. Yeah, okay, so I hadn’t event graduated high school at that point – imagine my surprise! Any synonym of excited would be an insulting understatement. I was ecstatic. Despite attending an amazing space academy the summer before, taking six AP classes the previous year, and co-founding a math and science honor society at my high school, I still felt undeserving. And apprehensive. What if I made a fool of myself in the most prestigious space agency? What if I couldn’t perform well on my project? What if I blew something up? (Okay, unlikely, but you get the picture.) After a month of agonizing preparation – finding a two-month lease, requesting special permission from my school to leave a week early, getting ready to graduate – I was ready to leave for Langley. I waved my small-town high school goodbye and drove to Hampton, VA in my stuttering silver Buick, ready to embark on an amazing adventure. Throughout my internship I compiled a list of things you might discover while interning at NASA. |
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