Taking Charge of Your Training to Maximize Your Future… Adapted by Dr. Gail P. Taylor, University of Texas at San Antonio Originally Developed by: Beth Fischer and Michael Zigmond Survival Skills and Ethics Program Revised 5/2007 F 20103

Your Point of View Really Matters in Life…Particularly Involving your Future…

Thought Question #1: How do you view your college career?

Attitudes about College It’s something to complete as soon as possible It’s something my parents made me do It’s a way of life It’s all about grades! It’s a guaranteed ticket for a good job It’s a time to explore! It’s a time to build credentials for a future career

You must Develop your Credentials! Always be planning and focusing on the next step, after graduation!

Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now ~Alan Lakein

Plan to Achieve Your Objectives! Research your Path Establish Your Credentials! Coursework foundation Coursework foundation Learn, not grades Take in correct order Take what you’ll need, not degree requirements! Ex. No Organic II req at UTSA. Ex. No Organic II req at UTSA. Projects Projects Professional Experience Professional ExperienceInternshipsCo-opsResearch Establish a network Meet your professors- LOR Get to know other students Overcome “weaknesses” Oral presentations Writing Fear Passivity Single-mindedness Self-doubt/Imposter Syndrome Volunteer and get involved Complete required tasks Degree paperwork GRE MCAT EIT

Preparing can be Time and Labor Intensive Course work Laboratory Research & Prof Development Find laboratory Find laboratory Ethics and laboratory safety Ethics and laboratory safety Learn lab culture Learn lab culture Techniques Techniques Reading the literature/High level reading Reading the literature/High level reading Experiments Experiments Data Analysis Data Analysis Writing Abstracts Writing Abstracts Conferences Conferences Poster and Oral Presentation Poster and Oral Presentation Courses (mentor recommended) Courses (mentor recommended) Summer Research Summer Research Writing Theses Writing Theses GRE/MCAT Tests

Developing a Plan Know what you must accomplish, with dates! Required courses Required courses Program-required or supplemental courses Program-required or supplemental courses Research Related activities (prior page) Research Related activities (prior page) Honors Theses, Senior projects Honors Theses, Senior projects Standardized Tests Standardized Tests What schools to apply to? What schools to apply to? Grad school application progress Grad school application progress Make a list of what you’d like to accomplish Fellowships proposals Fellowships proposals Volunteer Activities Volunteer Activities Additional knowledge Additional knowledge Make a timetable (with milestones) Consult plan each semester and re-evaluate

Opportunities often Come Disguised as Hard Work, so Some People Don’t Recognize Them…. Ann Landers…

Congratulations for planning for your future, and grasping this opportunity…

Why do All This? How Does Research Benefit You?

Other Benefits to Research Sets you up for your future! Validates coursework Intro to the 40+ hour work week Self-confidence/maturity Knowledge that you can have an impact Observe a “high level” career Deeper Faculty contact/mentoring Learn to speak like a professional Generally, an increase in motivation Publications CV/Resume that stands out Letters of recommendation… Doors open into Grad School

The most important person- your major or research advisor: An advisor should give you: Advice Advice Can be a mentor… Can be a mentor… Second-hand reputation Second-hand reputation Knowledge of professional activities Knowledge of professional activities Possible financial support/assistance Possible financial support/assistance Role model Role model Introductions/networking Introductions/networking Letters of recommendation Letters of recommendation Respect Respect

Your responsibilities to your advisor and lab A laboratory is an extended family! Your best effort Your best effort Show up when you say you will! Honesty Honesty Productivity Productivity Assistance- Teamwork Assistance- Teamwork Feedback/communication Feedback/communication Respect/Loyalty Respect/Loyalty

Shhh…I’ll Give Away a Secret…

How to Impress Faculty… Strong grasp of your course work Strong work ethic and productivity Attitude- enjoyment of what you are doing Teamwork Respect self and others Good communication Honesty/Integrity High level critical thinking (take time to think!) How do you approach problems? How do you approach problems? What is the next step of your project? What is the next step of your project? What are the implications of your project? What are the implications of your project?

Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises…. ~Demosthenes

Overall… Develop a great perspective! Take steps to plan your future Take advantage of opportunities Build credentials Achieve your dreams

Questions?