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Undergrads interested in Academia

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  • Do I Need Grad School?: As an undergraduate, grad programs often seem like the next logical step towards a rewarding career. While this can be true, graduate school can also be financially and psychologically taxing. I say this not to discourage students but rather to highlight the need for sincere self-reflection and thought about whether grad school is truly your necessary next step. Each graduate program is different so it is imperative that prospective grad students connect with current grad students and faculty in their field of interest to obtain tailored information. Of the undergrads I have mentored, our conversations typically start with, "I don't even know where to begin!" If you believe grad school is right for you, see the resources below.

  • Applying to Grad School: Applying takes a great deal of time and money so be prepared to commit between 6 months - a year to the application process. While I believe wholeheartedly in recruiting underrepresented students into academia, this must be based in an informed decision that supports the student in pursuing their larger goals. If you decide you want to apply I recommend the following: 
    • 1) Check your university or local public library for a copy of Getting What You Came For: The Smart Student's Guide to Earning an M.A. or a Ph.D.​ by Robert Peters. This book was published in 1997, so keep in mind that the information included about shrinking job prospects and rising costs have only worsened in the last 20 years. Nonetheless the book is a great starting off point to help you reflect on whether or not grad school is for you and it provides an overview of the application process. 
    • 2) Get your hands on a copy of The Professor Is In: The Essential Guide to Turning Your PhD into a Job by Karen Kelsey. Parts I - III of Kelsey's book will help you develop a plan of attack for your early years in grad school and the rest will help prepare you for the job market once you are in a grad program. 
    • 3) We don't know, what we don't know; so use these books to learn more about graduate school. The more you learn about the process, the better prepared you will be for conversations with current faculty and graduate students. Ask them about the future of the field, what they know about programs you are considering, and their own journey in academia. 
    • 4) Get the ball rolling on the nuts and bolts as early as possible. I use the following template to support students with their application process because it houses all necessary information in one place and allows for easily tracking progress. Additionally, I've included a sample timeline for the application process and emails to model correspondence with professors.   

Graduate Student Resources
  • Tracking Progress: Becoming an expert in anything is a daunting task. However, breaking that task down into tangible steps with clear deadlines has proven useful in my experience. I have adapted this template from my own progress tracker in which I set annual and quarterly goals, keep a running list of funding opportunities, and track degree completion requirements. 

  • Funding: Applying for funding is a requisite of  an academic's career. While writing successful applications can be laborious, I have found that devoting sufficient time to (re)writing, asking trusted but critical colleagues for feedback, and familiarizing myself with the funding organization's mission can have a real impact. The following texts have been especially helpful: 
    • a) The Grant Application Writer's Workbook 
    • b) Having Success with NSF: A Practical Guide by Ping Li and Karen Marrongelle
    • c) How Professors Think: Inside the Curious World of Academic Judgement by Michele Lamont 
  • Professional Development & Community: Graduate School can be a simultaneously collaborative and isolating environment that is embedded with an abundance of hidden curriculum. I engage with the following resources and communities to remain plugged in and moving forward, even when working independently.

  • Battling Imposter Syndrome: It seems that depression and feelings of inadequacy or "not belonging" are endemic in academia. For those of us underrepresented in the academy, these experiences can be particularly challenging to combat. In my experience, journaling, meditation, and individual as well as group therapy have been immensely grounding practices. Additionally, carving out time to read empowering texts which have normalized and contextualized my experiences:
    • Bold Latina
    • The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity by Nadine Burke Harris
    • Limbo: Blue-Collar Roots, White-Collar Dreams by Alfred Lubrano