hi! I just scrolled a little on your acc and noticed in a tag you said you were a comp lit major! I’m a senior in high school and want to do comp lit in college and was wondering if you could tell me how you liked the major? I know it’ll be different depending on the school but I’ve never met anyone irl who’s done it so I’m looking for any info I can get :D.

omg no i'm so happy to talk about this any time! i absolutely love my major. at least at my school it's extremely flexible. you can either choose a language and another discipline, or two languages (which is the more traditional comp lit path), and your classes are split between those three departments. so for me it's about 25% english department, 25% french department, and 50% comparative literature department. however, there's also very few required classes which means you get a lot of electives that aren't confined to your major. that's one of my favorite parts because i can take any class under any subject code that i think looks interesting, and because comp lit is so interdisciplinary none of it feels disconnected to my actual work (i can also just take any english classes i want instead of having to fill requirements). i've taken classes in the philosophy, anthropology, art history, religious studies, and humanities departments and will probably add more in the future lmao.

that's all probably kind of specific to my school but i think that regardless of where you go, if you're someone who has a lot of interests, especially across the humanities or social sciences, you'll really like comparative literature. same with if you're someone who really likes languages. my experience with the comp lit department vs. the english department has been pretty similar, and there's generally quite a bit of overlap (including instructors, i met the professor who told me i should change my major in an english class lol), but there are a few differences. firstly, the comp lit department is typically quite a bit smaller. the negative sides of this are that there's far fewer classes offered, and the department tends to be a lot more spread out. the positive side is that it's a lot easier to form relationships with your professors and meet people with similar interests. i think you tend to get pretty good teachers in the humanities generally, but my experience has been that smaller departments tend to be people, both instructors and students, who really care about what they study. pretty much all of my good friends i've met here are comp lit majors or people i met in comp lit classes. this major in particular i think tends to attract people who really care about their work beyond just obligation and who take it very seriously, which isn't always easy to find in undergrad.

in terms of the actual classes, in english you are reading novels, plays, and/or poetry the vast majority of the time (unless it's a class specifically devoted to another genre). in comp lit you get those genres, but also a lot more film, tv, comics, etc., potentially in the same class. because it's such an all encompassing discipline, the classes are also a lot more specific. i've found a lot of them tend to focus on the professor's research interests, which makes sense considering that it's literally impossible to be an expert on all world languages and literatures. the biggest difference is that when you get to upper division and start reading more secondary sources and writing research essays, in english it's usually primarily criticism where in comp lit it's a lot of theory. theory, for me, is probably the most challenging part of literary studies. it's also one of the most exciting.

the difference is essentially the same as in any comparative field. for example: within religious studies you might be someone who specializes specifically in medieval christianity or in contemporary islam, etc., etc., the same way that you might specialize in medieval english literature, or 19th century russian literature, contemporary latin american literature, etc. however, if you study comparative religion, you're studying the phenomenon of religion as an entity. the same is true of comparative literature, you're studying literature as a concept. literary theory is essentially the philosophy of literature. the distinction carries over to courses, so in english you tend to more closely study the specific novels/eras/genres/authors/etc. (unless a comp lit prof is teaching the class and then you're still reading theory lol), where in comp lit you're usually trying to contextualize it both within its own literary tradition, and within the phenomenon of literature as a whole. theory is a big element of the english major, but it's the core of the comparative literature major.

hopefully that wasn't more than you were asking for, but i can't tell you how happy i am to talk about this ldkfjsk. what i study is really like, my love and my entire life so if you ever want to talk about it or have any questions please message me or send an ask. i honestly did not even know it was a thing until my professor told me about it, and i know they don't even offer it at a lot of schools at the undergraudate level, so i'm very happy you're considering it. i'm currently planning to continue studying literature postgrad and i'm seriously considering continuing with comparative literature. i really can't recommend it enough.

Hello Mr. Entj! I hope you’re well. I have a request, can I please ask about your LinkedIn profile? Please don’t worry I won’t send you a request or share it with anyone. I want to check your experiences and how you wrote about them. I’m truly inspired by you and I feel like you’ve opened my eyes for certain matters and motivated me even though I have been suffering from depression for years now so it’s hard for me to always put my head up and feel hopeful! Thank you for everything :)

I’m well, thank you, and I’m glad to hear you’re finding motivation despite still battling depression. Never stop fighting.

To your question, I don’t publicly post personal identifiable information on Tumblr, but I’ll share how my LinkedIn profile is set up by highlighting the 4 main sections every LinkedIn profile should have and provide concrete examples to help illustrate my point.

LinkedIn 101: Building your profile

1. About

What goes in this section:

A 1-3 paragraph professional summary. Use short and concise sentences with bullet points to highlight your professional background, don’t hit people with an autobiographical length wall of text with personal details.

This section includes: who you are, your work experience, what you’re good at, what you can do for potential employers, and what you’re looking for in your next position if you’re job hunting. Add skills, specialties, areas of expertise, etc.

If job hunting, tailor this section to your target role (the role that you want) and not your current role (the role that you have).

What doesn’t go in this section:

Referring to yourself in a cringey third-person voice (ex: ”Jane is a graphic designer. She has a degree from American University.”). You don’t have multiple personality disorder, and even if you did, tell whichever personality writing your LinkedIn profile not to do this.

Personal details (ex: ”I have 2 kids and a rottweiler named Ben”). I’m sure Ben is adorable, but LinkedIn isn’t the place for that.

Political preferences and views (ex: ”Trump is an asshole!”). This will hurt instead of help your chances of finding a job, not necessarily because people disagree with your political views (they may actually agree with you), but because it shows poor judgment in publicly posting something like that in the first place.

Example:

I am a Junior Partner at McKinsey & Company with 10+ years of experience delivering strategy and operations engagements to Fortune 500 health care and life science clients in the United States and European market. I help executives identify growth opportunities and unlock operational potential through digital innovation.

My passion is in creating systems and innovative processes to deliver high quality and affordable health care services to the vulnerable and underserved populations.

My areas of expertise include:

Digital strategy

Organizational change

Process improvement

Performance improvement

Systems implementation

In my spare time, I sit on the Board of Women in Tech where I champion initiatives to mentor and grow the next generation of female leaders. I graduated from Yale University with a Master of Business Administration and the University of California-Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Science in Business-Economics.

2. Experience

What goes in this section:

All the companies you’ve worked for that are relevant to your current career. Add a few sentences describing the specific teams you’ve worked on and what they do because outsiders wouldn't have any idea.

Your exact titles. Don’t lie or embellish this. Recruiters searching for talent will reach out under the impression you hold the titles you’ve listed because they signal years of experience. It’ll also be reflected in the background check.

If you have less than 2 years of work experience, add:

Internships and university experience. Highlight what projects you worked on, what they accomplished, and what your role was. Be sure to define acronyms before using them.

What doesn’t go in this section:

Resume-style bullet points of your tasks and/or achievements. A LinkedIn profile is not a digital resume, don’t treat it as such. Resumes are submitted to websites and/or recruiters and should be customized for the target role. If you list all your tasks and/or achievements on a LinkedIn profile, you become locked into one type of professional profile and won’t be able to tailor your narrative for specific roles. A resume is a separate document.

Jobs that have no relevance to your target career. Don’t add the summer job at Jane’s Frozen Yogurt Shop if you’re searching for UX designer opportunities in tech unless you actually did UX design work for Jane’s Frozen Yogurt Shop. Only add experience that’s relevant.

Client information. Don’t publicly name clients without permission, ever.

Example:

McKinsey & Company - Junior Partner (January 2019 - Present)

McKinsey & Company is an international management consulting firm with more than fifty offices in twenty-five countries. One of the five largest consulting services in the United States, it specializes in problem solving and program implementation, primarily for corporate clients.

Member of the Digital Innovation team leading health care and life sciences clients in systems implementation and optimization initiatives.

Tumblr - Senior Product Manager (January 2017 - January 2019)

Tumblr is an American microblogging and social networking website founded by David Karp in 2007. As of August 12, 2019, Tumblr hosts over 475 million blogs and has over 500 million monthly visitors.

Member of the UX Product team responsible for building and launching new features on the platform such as chat, video uploads, and interface updates.

3. Education

What goes in this section:

The schools you’ve attended. Add undergraduate and graduate schools only, don’t add community college or high school unless they’re your highest levels of education.

Your degree and major. Self-explanatory.

If you have less than 2 years of work experience, add:

Latin honors (ex: summa cum laude, magna cum laude, cum laude)

Clubs (ex: Sororities, fraternities)

Awards (ex: Dean’s List)

Scholarships (Ex. Fullbright Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship)

What doesn’t go in this section:

GPA. No one cares.

Test scores (ex: SAT, LSAT, GMAT). No one cares.

Certificates from MOOCs. Put them in the Licenses and Certifications section.

4. Skills & Endorsements

What goes in this section:

Your professional skills (ex: Data analysis, project management, financial modeling, graphic design, UX design, research design, SQL, C++, etc.).

Look up people with the role you want and copy their skills as a good start. Skills are one thing used by recruiters to search for candidates.

What doesn’t go in this section:

Your personal skills or hobbies (ex: Cooking, juggling, yo-yo-ing). It’s LinkedIn, not eHarmony.

Leadership Spotlight on Diego Antonio Quintana Licona, Point Foundation Scholar

“In order to recognize yourself as a leader, you must be able to recognize leadership potential in others. A good leader is someone who knows when to be silent and let others take initiative, someone who is a good listener and recognizes the team members’ individual qualities and skill sets and is there to help them grow.”

Diego Antonio Quintana Licona, College of Arts and Science 2022

Point Foundation Scholar

Meet Diego A Quintana Licona, an undergraduate student at NYU College of Arts and Science and a Point Foundation Scholar. Coming from the city of Tijuana, Mexico, Diego is passionate about scientific research and advocating for the LGBTQ+ community as well as other marginalized voices. Diego was awarded a scholarship from the Point Foundation, the nation’s largest higher education scholarship-granting and mentorship organization for LGBTQ+ students. 

Tell us about your journey coming to pursue higher education at NYU. 

The first time that I applied to NYU was back in 2015. In total, I applied and was accepted three times but I had to deny offers due to financial and citizenship challenges. I just kept trying until I could make it happen because I was in love with what NYU had to offer. For example, I am trying to double major in the humanities and in the sciences and that is something that not many schools provide. This is an institution that allows me to fully explore all of my academic and intellectual interests, without limiting it to a specific area. I am also a pre-med student. When I was applying to NYU, I was actually enrolled in a medical program at a Mexican university. The more I stayed at that program, the more convinced I became that I wanted to study the social and cultural dimensions of medicine. I wanted to be in a place like NYU that honors diversity, of both who I am as a person and what I want to accomplish academically.

How have you navigated NYU and in what spaces have you found community?

Coming from Mexico, my experience has been that if you meet someone and you have something in common you are immediate friends! Friendliness alone goes a long way! Here in college, I learned more about how to really establish connections and nurture them.  It was a bit of an adjustment but once you break the initial fear about putting yourself out there, you will find that there are people and opportunities everywhere.. 

For instance, I had massive imposter syndrome when I first arrived at NYU. Then I participated in the NYU Center for Multicultural Education and Programs (NYU CMEP) FOCUS mentorship program for first-generation college students of color. My FOCUS mentor really helped me overcome those insecurities of not being good enough. 

I have also found friendships and advocates at the NYU International Student Center, NYU Global Spiritual Life, and the Phi Delta Epsilon fraternity for pre-med students. Currently I am volunteering in New York for Peer Health Exchange, helping teens gain knowledge on how to access proper sexual and mental health resources.  I am also an e-board member at the NYU LGBTQ+ Center’s New Masculinities group where we work to break preconceptions of gender and masculinity. And most recently I was elected as a Senator-at-Large in student government to represent LGBTQ+ students and low-income Latinx students for the 2020-2021 academic year.

So, while there are always people that may make you feel like you don’t belong, there are just as many who will constantly remind you of your worth and value. It takes a little effort on your part to look for those people and places, but they are there. 

Congratulations on being awarded with the Point Foundation Scholarship! How did you learn about the program and what do you hope to gain as a scholar?

I had been researching various scholarship opportunities and a friend suggested that I look into the Point Foundation. I applied because I was in love with what the Point Foundation is doing. It doesn’t feel like a transactional process but more about helping individuals succeed and embracing our queer identities. They have a very active LGBTQ+ community service component as well as a mentorship component once you become a scholar. It feels like a close-knit family. 

As a Point Foundation Scholar, I will be completing a service project. I am excited to talk to my Point Scholar mentor about how to focus my project on the intersection between student government and queer organizing. 

What does the word ‘leadership’ mean to you?

Leadership is not about hierarchy. It is not static. Leadership is dynamic and requires the flexibility to adapt to change. In order to recognize yourself as a leader, you must be able to recognize leadership potential in others. 

I have long been trying to tackle the common misconceptions of leadership, such as the idea that leaders have to be constantly on the top, directing others, and having all the answers. This is a fictitious definition of leadership. In reality, a good leader is someone who knows when to be silent and let others take initiative, someone who is a good listener and recognizes the team members’ individual qualities and skill sets. A good leader is always looking to help others grow and be better. It’s about treating others as individuals and as equals, and being able to see the leadership in other people.

Point Foundation empowers promising lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students to achieve their full academic and leadership potential – despite the obstacles often put before them – to make a significant impact on society. Learn more about their mission and apply here. 

And click here to learn how the Office of Global Awards can support you in applying for scholarship opportunities around the globe!

If you’re applying to competitive universities, at some point you’ve probably had that moment when you raised your eyes to the sky and thought to yourself, “What’s the point? Is the Ivy League worth it?!”

(And then if you were  feeling dramatic, maybe you screamed “Why is college important?!!! DO I EVEN NEED TO GO.”)

You’re not alone! Most humans who’ve navigated the college application process have asked themselves these questions at some point.

We’re here to answer them and also ask you some important questions of our own.

I’ll start by saying that there are many good reasons to pursue an Ivy League education.

You’ll get a great education. You’ll have some of the brightest and most well-respected  professors in the world. You’ll make connections with up-and-comers and their rising tide might lift your proverbial boat.

Are Ivy League schools better? In many ways, you could say yes.

But.

It’s also totally possible to get a great education, well, almost anywhere.

If you’ve ever wondered if the Ivy League is really worth it, read on.

If you’re ready to start on the Common Application, head over to my free guide here.

4 REASONS WHY AN IVY LEAGUE EDUCATION MAY NOT BE AS LIFE-CHANGING AS YOU MIGHT THINK

1. IF YOU’RE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN YOUR EDUCATION, YOU CAN GET A GREAT ONE ANYWHERE

When you’re actively involved in your education, you can learn a ton--at almost any school, from almost any professor.

What does it mean to be ‘actively involved’ in your education? You probably already know.

It means completing all the required readings and maybe even some of the optional-but-suggested readings. It means taking part in class discussions and asking questions. It means staying after class to chat with the professor, attending office hours, and taking part in study groups.

Outside of class, taking an active approach to your education takes many forms. It means taking advantage of all your college has to offer--whether you’re attending a community college, state school, or Harvard. Here are a few specific ways to do that:

Visit your school’s Career Services Office. A degree from a prestigious college doesn’t mean the job offers will start to roll in like magic. You still have to build a great resume, apply for jobs, interview well, and compete with lots of other students at your school who are vying for that same job at that prestigious law firm/investment bank/start-up.

One of the most underutilized resources on campus is the very office whose job it is to help you, well, get a job. Set an appointment with a career counselor, tell them what your hopes and dreams are, and ask them for advice.

Talk to professors and faculty. If your academic advisor or professor has experience in an area or industry that interests you, stop by during office hours and pick their brain. Ask them about their own career path to get a sense of what you’d like your own to be.

Take on summer internships. For 99% of jobs, having actual, real-life work experience is far more important than your alma mater. It’s a great idea to start interning the summer after your sophomore or junior year. Whether you’re helping a local business level-up their social media game, clerking for a county judge, coding for a start-up, or working on an organic farm, get experience and figure out what you love and don’t love to do.

Getting a research position, becoming a tutor or TA, or joining clubs and student government all enhance your college experience. Attend campus college fairs and information sessions. Make use of the alumni network. Don’t wait for the opportunities to come to you. Go out and make them!

2. DON’T BE A SMALL FISH IN A BIG POND

How you feel about yourself and your likelihood of success is more related to your relative position to your classmates than it is to the institution that you graduated from.

That’s what Malcolm Gladwell argues in a great talk at Google Zeitgest in 2013 on a concept he calls Elite Institution Cognitive Disorder (EICD).  

Here’s the short version:

As humans, we are more likely to make self-assessments about ourselves and potential for success based on the people that are immediately around us, not the world at large. As a result, we “tend to overstate the significance of elite institutions and grossly underestimate the cost of being at the bottom of a hierarchy.”

He’s got some fancy numbers about SAT score distributions and publishing rates by PhDs at elite and non-elite colleges to prove his point.

If you find yourself obsessing about whether the Ivy League is worth it, consider watching his entire 19-minute presentation.

But.

What does this mean for you?

Don’t just go to an Ivy League school for the sake of going to an Ivy League school. First consider whether or not a college will allow you to be a standout leader and graduate in the top 25% of your class (as opposed to the bottom 25%).

3. GETTING A ‘SENSIBLE’ DEGREE FROM AN ‘IMPRESSIVE’ COLLEGE GUARANTEES ...  NOTHING

That’s almost painful to read, isn’t it? It’s much more comfortable to believe that the ‘right’ degree from the ‘right’ college guarantees success and happiness for years to come.

In addition, people graduate each year from Ivy League colleges with degrees in business, engineering, or marketing and struggle to find jobs they like. Likewise, every year, people graduate from less high profile schools with degrees in philosophy, art history, and gender studies and go on to become fulfilled, professionally successful adults.

The CEO of Paypal has a philosophy degree! The CEO of American Express has a history degree! Former PBS NewsHour anchor Jim Lehrer got his A.A. at a community college!

Building a career and life that fulfills and supports you takes decades. It doesn’t begin and end with your undergraduate degree.

4. “SUCCESS” ISN’T LINEAR

You’ve seen this graphic, right? It perfectly captures the reality of “success.”

When we see people accomplishing awesome things, we don’t see the years of mistakes, backpedaling, and sidestepping.

We see Einstein’s Nobel prize, not the fact that he didn’t get into the Zurich Polytechnic School. We see that J.K. Rowling is the most successful author of all time; we don’t see her divorce, single parenthood, or her 12 rejection letters for the first Harry Potter book. When we look at Stephen Spielberg, we see Jaws and E.T., not the three times he was rejected from USC.  

It’s tempting to believe that an Ivy League education will put you on an escalator towards “success,” but that’s not necessarily the case. An Ivy League school can give you a lot of great resources but It probably can’t help you choose the right career path, predict how your life and interests will change over time, and it certainly isn’t the only path toward personal and creative fulfillment.

More than anything, it’s important that you choose the school that’s right for you. Maybe that school happens to be an Ivy League school, but maybe it’s not.

Whichever school you choose, know that you are in charge of your success and, as Frank Bruni so aptly put it, Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be.

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hi! i'm a high-schooler who wants to pursue a career in classics and ancient history and you're a massive inspiration to me, I was wondering if you have any advice for an aspiring classicist

Hey! I’m glad to be an inspiration :3

So, the first thing I would suggest is to read, read, read. I know it’s expensive to get a lot of books, but remember that public libraries (and check your high school library, too!) might have many of the books you might want to read before you head into a Classics program.

If you would prefer to have these things online so you can access a lot of different things, here are my favorite websites to refer to:

http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/

https://www.gutenberg.org/

http://www.sacred-texts.com/search.htm

The next thing to remember is that if you’re an undergraduate student, you’re not going to know everything in every class. Be open to exploring - take courses that have a focus on the ancient world, but don’t be afraid to stray into other courses (I took enough Medieval courses (history, literature, art history) that I was one course away from a minor). One of the things that I would recommend is searching for schools that have a program you think you’ll enjoy and e-mail the professors! I e-mailed the director of the Classical Studies department at Villanova University back and forth for a long time before I applied to the graduate program and she was quite supportive and explained things well to me. This was a big reason I decided that I decided that Villanova was right for me. The professors and how they interact with potential students will tell you a lot about the faculty as well as the program. Look through the potential courses at the universities you’re interested in, and whether they have all the courses, you would be interested in, including courses for other aspects of the field.

Classics courses can be under Anthropology or Archaeology, Art History, English/Literature, Greek/Latin, Library Sciences, Law, Museum Studies, Theatre, etc. If you’re interested in exploring any of these areas of Classics, I would suggest exploring these courses if the university offers them as well. This would also help you hone in on what area of the field you might be most interested in pursuing - a lot of people who go into Classics either end up teaching or working in a museum, from my experience. However, those aren’t your only choices, and we’ll get back to that more towards the end :3

If you’re not sure if you’d like archaeology, if you can afford an archaeological field school, I would say try to participate in one when you’re an undergraduate student, or if you can’t, see if your local state parks have any need for archaeological volunteers. That’s something that I’ve been investigating in Las Vegas (where I live); this isn’t Classics specifically, but much of the work will be similar so you can gauge whether you like digging enough to do it for a living. This past summer I did my first archaeological field school (three years after I completed my B.A. in History/Classics), so if you wait a little longer, that’s okay, too. But, I loved it, and I definitely want to dig again, so I think that it’s important to find a way to pursue those opportunities when you can (I was lucky to get a full-time job a year before I went and was able to save up - I didn’t take any vacation time in the year and a half from when I was hired until after the field school). There are field school scholarships that you can apply to, like the Jane C. Waldbaum Archaeological Field School Scholarship (https://www.archaeological.org/grants/708), that are for students pursuing their first field school, amongst other funding, so make sure you look everywhere and ask your university if they have a database for field school funding. A lot of your anthropology and archaeology professors will be helpful in asking about this. Your university might also have archaeology opportunities on campus as well; my alma mater, the University of Delaware, had an Archaeology Laboratory that I volunteered in for extra credit and continued to do so once my course was over because I enjoyed it so much. See what’s around and how you can help out!

In the same vein, if you’re interested in museum work, look to see if you can volunteer over the summer, or once you’re a university student, see if you can enroll in an internship for credit. Sometimes your university galleries and museums might have a program, so look into that, too! I did a Curatorial Apprenticeship Program at the University of Delaware and was able to conduct an Independent Study for credit through the museum program (now the University of Delaware has a Museum Studies minor). I’ve always known that my end goal was to be a curator, but there’s plenty of other aspects of museums you can explore: education, administration, museum libraries, and a lot of other departments, depending on the size of the institution. If you’re in the U.S., you can check my museum post to see if your state has ancient art (https://theancientgeekoroman.tumblr.com/post/179105816745/master-list-of-museums-with-greek-roman), and if you’re in another country, don’t worry, I’m working on master lists for other countries, too.    

Many courses may be taught in translation (especially if you’re taking it as an English Literature or Foreign Language in Translation course), so see if you can find the best or most highly recommended translations by professors. See what the book lists are for the courses at the universities you’re looking at and try to find your favorite translation. I just bought the Emily Wilson translation of The Odyssey, which I have a feeling will be my favorite translation. This is The Iliad translation I have (http://www.librarything.com/work/3426497/book/161094444), The Aeneid (http://www.librarything.com/work/11862/book/161072440), Metamorphoses (http://www.librarything.com/work/3439/book/161072432), and The Love Songs of Sappho (http://www.librarything.com/work/237534/book/161093187). All of these were assigned textbooks for my Biblical and Classical Literature and Mythology courses at the University of Delaware between 2007-2015 (those links take you to my LibraryThing, which will tell you most of the books that I own or I have on my wishlist, if you want to check them out; I haven’t finished organizing their categories yet, though, so it’s a WIP).   

If you haven’t been exposed to Ancient Greek or Latin at the high school level and university will be the first time you encounter these languages (as was true for me), you don’t necessarily have to know anything by the first day of class. However, if you would like a head start, here are some lessons on Ancient Greek in YouTube format (http://www.openculture.com/2016/08/learn-ancient-greek-in-64-free-lessons-from-brandeis-harvard.html) and in text format (https://lrc.la.utexas.edu/eieol/grkol). Latin, unsurprisingly, has a lot more resources for free online learning (I even bought a Udemy course to review my Latin): The University of Texas at Austin: https://lrc.la.utexas.edu/eieol/latol, http://learn101.org/latin.php, and this list is good to consult: https://www.omniglot.com/language/articles/latinapps.htm. I haven’t used all of these myself, so explore and see which ones would be best for you and works best for how you learn.

If you decide to continue with Classics into the graduate level, keep in mind that you’ll need German AND French or Italian. I took both French and Italian as an undergraduate and I can read French pretty well because I took it for four years in high school and studied abroad in Caen for five weeks as an undergraduate. Italian I can kind of read alright, but I know no German, which I need to work on. So, if you have a language requirement and your Latin or Greek does not count, keep those languages in mind. (Sometimes you have to take a certain amount of Latin or Ancient Greek for it to count, and your program may not require as many ancient language courses for your major as the language requirement for the university, etc. I only needed to take Ancient Greek or Latin, but I decided I wanted to do both.)

Classics is an extremely interdisciplinary field, so you have a lot of options, both as an undergraduate and a graduate student. You don’t necessarily need to go straight into graduate school, either. You can teach at the high school level, you can go into archaeology fieldwork or museum work, or do a variety of other things. It’s up to you. I took a year off, got a different Master of Arts degree before I applied to my M.A. in Classical Studies. It’s different for everyone. I’ll be 30 when I get my M.A. in Classical Studies, so take your time and explore things that call to you. Don’t rush things and have fun!

Of course, I’m sure you want to know “What can I do with a Classics degree?” Luckily, many places have already made lists like this! Here they are:

https://www.angelo.edu/services/career/majors/classics.php

https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/careers/subjects/classics/

https://classicalstudies.org/education/careers-for-classicists/an-undergraduate-degree-in-the-classics

https://www.exeter.ac.uk/media/universityofexeter/careersandemployability/subjectfactsheets/subjectfacsheets/2016ese030_Classics_st1.pdf

http://loveofhistory.com/what-jobs-can-you-get-with-an-ancient-history-and-classics-degree/

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/classics

And I made a post with different places that post Classics positions as well, for when you’re ready to look for those (I check them regularly to see the requirements people want for these positions to either match up or if I need further training or credentials): https://theancientgeekoroman.tumblr.com/post/178955792555/since-im-still-in-my-ma-program-for-classical   

TLDR & recap:

Read, read, read

Research your potential schools

Volunteer

Explore aspects of the field

Have fun!

Additionally, I found this list of people that have Classics degrees :3

https://rogueclassicism.com/folks-you-didnt-know-maybe-had-classics-degrees/

I hope you found this helpful and I apologize for the length, but feel free to drop me a line whenever you like if you need more advice or would like me to expand on any of my experiences!

All the best,

The Ancient Geeko-Roman

P.S. Folklore Fiancé wanted to make sure I didn’t overwhelm you and wanted to encourage you to make sure you take your time and take breaks when studying. Don’t overwhelm yourself with your research; take your time to explore different areas and don’t tackle too many things at once. *takes off parent hat*

FAQ regarding undergrad research

I thought I’d put this together because I remember when I was an undergrad looking for research opportunities I literally had no idea what to do or expect! So I hope this will help :)

Disclaimer: Some of these answers may only apply to undergraduate research opportunities in the life sciences in US universities that conduct research. 

How can I find a list of potential principal investigators (PIs)? 

You can search the department or research facility’s website for a list of research topics and PIs. Oftentimes there will be a description of the research and/or PI, or even a link to their own lab webpage. 

Do the PIs have to be professors I’ve had classes with before?

Nope! There are lots of PIs who don’t teach undergraduate courses, but they still have their own labs. Unless specifically stated by the PI, being a student in one of their courses is not an automatic requirement. 

How do I get started contacting them?

Send an email. I have a template you can use here. If you don’t hear back within a week, feel free to send a follow-up email (by forwarding your original email so the info is still there). PIs are busy people, so it might take them a while!

What year in college can I start looking for research opportunities?

As early as freshman year. Honestly, coming in with lab experience is not important for undergrad researchers; labs would rather have someone that can stick around for a long time. Training a freshman vs training a senior sometimes takes the same time (as lab techniques can be highly specialized that most college lab courses don’t cover), but a freshman is going to generate more data than a senior. In fact, many labs won’t take seniors for that reason, so start early!

But I’m a senior! What do I do?

Never fear, continue to contact labs! I would recommend focusing on PIs who know you and your work ethic (so a professor whose class you took and did well in), as they’re more likely to make an exception. I didn’t start looking for undergrad research until my senior year too, but a professor I took many classes with and did great in knew me well enough to let me join the lab, even though it was literally for just 1 semester. So it’s not impossible! 

What factors into a PI accepting/not accepting an undergraduate researcher?

A lot: funding, space, # of projects, availability of mentors, to name a few. Therefore, if a PI can not accept you this semester, don’t feel too down! There are many factors that come into play, and so much is out of your control. 

I got an interview with a potential PI! Any tips on what to expect/how to prepare?

Congrats! Check out this post for helpful pointers!

I got the position!! Any tips on how to make the most out of my undergrad research experience?

Double congrats! And sure thing: Check out this post. 

Can I get paid or earn course credit for my time in the lab?

Sure! It depends on the PI, but some PIs may pay undergrads over the summer, or hire them as part-time techs. There are also undergrad fellowships/scholarships that can apply to lab research, as well as work study opportunities. You can also earn course credit for your time (just check with your advisor). Usually it’s 2 hours per credit, up to 3 or 4 credits per semester. These are things you can discuss with your PI during your interview.

How many hours/week am I expected to be in lab?

As many as you can give. Ideally, a continuous chunk of time is more useful; you’ll get more done by being in the lab for 2 hours straight than 30 min here and 30 min there. I personally like undergrads to be here at least 2 hours at a time for a minimum of 4 hours/week. If you want your own project, aim for 10 hours/week. But of course this is all dependent on your lab, the type of research you’re doing, and your own schedule. 

Will I be given an independent project right off the bat?

You will most likely be taken under the wing of someone in the lab (like a grad student, lab tech, postdoc, even another undergrad) to first help with their project and to learn research techniques. So don’t worry, you’ll be guided every step of the way! A lab will never just “throw you to the wolves” as that’s not beneficial for anyone. Then after you have a good amount of training under your belt, you and your mentor will see what kinds of independent projects you can take on (and many factors go into that, including how many hours/week you can be in the lab, etc). 

What do I do if after a few weeks, I decide I really don’t want to work in a particular lab anymore?

Please don’t hurt yourself by staying in a situation you don’t feel comfortable in (either mentally, emotionally, or physically). Meet with the PI privately and explain that you don’t feel like the lab is a good fit for you, and you would like to leave (maybe give a week’s notice so you can wrap some stuff up). You won’t hurt any feelings or burn any bridges if the exit is done politely. You have every right to do what’s best for you!

Will I have opportunities to be an author on a paper or give poster presentations at meetings?

Absolutely. It depends on your lab and project, but undergrads definitely have opportunities to be listed as a contributing author if their work is in the paper, and there are lots of poster sessions for students (your university may host a few themselves!). Chat with your mentor about these opportunities if this is something you’re interested in. 

How much research experience (including undergrad research) do employers/internships/graduate schools look for in a competitive candidate? 

At least 1 year. 

Are undergraduate research opportunities only limited to my university?

Nope! You can find opportunities (both paid and volunteer) at other research institutions in your area. Some may be specialized programs for undergrads that involve a competitive application process (and perhaps a great stipend too!)

I still have some questions regarding undergrad research. Is it ok if I contact you?

Absolutely!!! My inbox and private messaging are always open! 

Hi!! I’m a undergrad psych, sociology and women’s and gender studies student in New Brunswick Canada. I hope to eventually go to grad school. I want to eventually be a clinical psychologist. I hope to work with trans* youth, and deal with eating disorders specifically as well as other issues. In your professional opinion, what’s the best way/how do I specialize in that regard. Thanks!!

Bonjour, Je viens aussi du Nouveau-Brunswick! If you go to a certain small liberal arts university in southern New Brunswick that’s known for having a lot of Rhodes Scholars, located in a small English-speaking town on the edge of a swamp, then we probably went to the same school. In terms of becoming a clinical psychologist, there are a couple of things that you can be doing now to try to make that dream a reality:

As an undergrad, it’s critical that you focus on your grades. Specialization isn’t something you really need to worry about until you reach graduate school; for now, you just need to worry about keeping your GPA as high as possible. Graduate programs in clinical psychology are highly competitive - you typically need a 3.3 just to apply, but to have a realistic chance of getting in, you need at least a 3.5, and ideally more like a 3.7 - 3.8. 

If your school offers an undergraduate honours program, take it. (If you go to the school I’m thinking of, I know they definitely have an honours program, at least they did in 2012). If you have the opportunity to do an undergraduate thesis or honours thesis, you’ll also want to do that - a lot of graduate school programs require that you have an honours degree, and an undergraduate thesis gives you a nice polished piece of academic writing that you can submit as a writing sample for your applications. 

Get research experience. Ideally, you should be volunteering or interning in a psychology research lab, but if you aren’t able to get a position like that, any research experience will do. Research in your chosen field would be a bonus, but it’s not necessary. Volunteer to do research in a related field - biology, zoology, sociology, anthropology, anything. I had a computer science research internship, and I still have that on my academic CV. Graduate school, even for clinical psychology, is mainly focused on research, and it’s really important to prove to potential supervisors that you are experienced and capable of performing high-calibre research with minimal supervision. 

Give yourself lots of time to prepare for the GRE. For most programs now, you’ll need to do both the general GRE and the psych-specific GRE. These are tests that you shouldn’t wing the night before - invest in some practice tests and give yourself a couple of months to prepare. I wrote mine at the end of August, so I had the full summer to do vocabulary flashcards and practice the math. Some schools place huge emphasis on GRE scores, and low scores can get your application thrown out, even if it was otherwise promising. 

Do some research about potential schools you’d like to go to and potential careers. You have the option to do a PhD or a PsyD - the PsyD involves less research than a PhD, but it typically won’t allow you to teach classes at a university or work in anything but clinical practice, so think carefully about what your career goals are. You might also consider going to medical school and becoming a psychiatrist - they can prescribe medication, which is really helpful if you want to work with trans* people - or you could also consider a MSW program. 

Start researching potential graduate supervisors at least six months before you apply for grad school. When you apply to a PhD, you are applying to work with a specific professor at that school, and they should be a match for your research interests. This is where you specialize - look for professors who specialize in trans* issues or eating disorders, or both. I recommend that you not restrict yourself to Canadian schools - Canada does not have that many available PhD programs, and you’ll give yourself a lot more options if you also consider graduate programs down here in the USA. A lot of American PhD programs guarantee full funding for all students, including international students, so cost is usually not an issue. In general, you should be looking to apply to at least 10 schools. 

Consider trying to get some volunteer or practical experience. Again, in your field would be ideal, but it’s not necessary. Suicide hotlines, YMCAs, community programs for inner city kids, homeless shelters, women’s shelters, advocacy groups and hospitals are all excellent places to start getting some experience in mental health - this is good for your resume, and it also helps you confirm for yourself that hands-on mental health work is what you really want to do. I actually took two years off after my undergraduate degree to work full-time in mental health, and I’m really glad that I did. 

In general, though, the best advice I can give you is to not give up. This is a tough career path, and the road isn’t always going to be smooth. You might have major setbacks along the way - a bad GRE score, a lower GPA than you wanted, problems finding research experience, rejection from programs, etc. It’s important to dust yourself off and keep going. If your undergrad GPA isn’t up to snuff, try getting a master’s degree in something and trying again. If you get rejected, apply next year. Don’t let the odds freak you out. There is no deadline for achieiving this dream, and if it takes you several years and several tries before you get there, that’s okay. Best of luck to you!

The ABA Graduates’ Guide To School and Supervision

So you’ve caught the bug. 

The excitement of Behavior Analysis has captured you, and you’ve made the decision to go into the field of ABA. You’ve got some basic ideas of what you need to do, but answers to your questions can sound like straight foreign language. Why can’t someone just break it down to me in simple terms?! 

I hear ya, which is why I wanted to do this guide...

Your reason for going into the field of ABA was either because A. You have worked with kids on the Autism Spectrum (It is a huge branch of therapy in this scientific field), or B. You heard about it through a friend, instructor, or the like.

Like many of us, you want to learn more about working in this field but don’t know where to begin. 

What do I need in terms of education? 

What jobs are available out there? 

Who do we work with in this science?

Hopefully, you’ve already got an idea, though I’ll cover these in a future post. For those who know who we want to work with or are just ready to jump right in, here is what you need to go to get started. Please note that you should still read the direct requirements and guidelines for education + supervision from the official BACB site. This post is only meant as a simple breakdown, coupled with personal experience. I hope to answer questions that sometimes slip through the cracks in this process so it’s easier to understand. But as always, please contact the BACB with serious questions!

1. You need higher education. 📚

RBT Certification (High School level +)

If you are interested in working in a clinical branch of this field (i.e. Early intervention, ABA therapy for children with ASD (autism spectrum disorder), or gerontology), you’re probably going to need to gain RBT certification. This represents Registered Behavior Technician, which is a 40 hour long training program that includes being supervised by a BCaBA (Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst) or a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst). This level of training can be taken by anyone that has acquired a High School Degree or higher, and is typically offered on-the-job by most agencies. In fact, very soon RBT certification may be required at most places you will work at, due to insurance reasons. This is also available for a reasonable price online independently, however you will still require some on-the-job form of supervision as these hours will allow you to sit for the exam to get the cert. 

BCaBA (Undergraduate level / Bachelors level +)

This level of certification allows you to work in higher level behavior analytic services, while under the supervision of BCBAs. You however, are able to supervise those under you (Behavior Technicians/Therapists & RBTs) who are implementing behavior analytical services. This is usually offered at college/universities both online and in-person and require you to acquire a certain number of supervision hours in conjunction with your studies. Some people do this during their bachelors, but it can be done after. Some people will go onto keep their BCaBA even if they later pursue a masters or PhD. A BCaBA can help a BCBA with caseload, offering almost the same work as a BCBA, but must work under the BCBA’s supervision in everything. With that said, this is a great gateway into the field if you are not ready to pursue a graduate level program or want to be able to work at this level only.

BCBA (graduate level / Masters level +)

This is the highest level in the applied field. It requires that you complete a graduate level program or a graduate level degree within the subjects of Psychology and/or Applied Behavior Analysis. (Please see BACB site for specific degrees accepted). Many who go onto become a BCBA may already have a graduate degree in something close to the field (Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Education, Therapy, etc) and take a graduate level certificate program. This level also requires that you complete a program coupled with supervision by another BCBA or BCBA-D level practitioner who is able to supervise.

Can you do an ABA course program completely online?

YES. Many high-quality and even affordable programs exist where you can take the course sequence entirely online. Some course programs are hybrid courses as well, where you can get some on-site courses and take others online. This allows for people who are working full-time or have families to be able to attend. Additionally, many on-site programs offer cohorts that take the program in a sequence at either morning schedule or evening schedule so you can choose according to your work/life/family schedule!

PLACES THAT OFFER ABA PROGRAMS

First off, let’s make sure that the ABA programs that you want to consider are BACB approved course sequences. Luckily, most if not all do have this down pat. But be sure, when you are researching schools’ programs, that you see the approval information on their site. You can also check out approved school programs through BACB’s site. 

Here are on-site and online programs that offer ABA education programs> 

2. You need supervision 👩🏻‍🏫

Here’s the biggin. And this is where most questions and complications begin to happen. You may already had known that supervision hours are required, and this means you will either acquire this one of these ways:

On-Site: On-Site will be at a facility, agency, or in-home company that offers ABA services.

Online/Remote: Working directly with clients in a school, facility, agency, or in-home under the remote (online) supervision of a BCBA or BCBA-D who works with you via video/phone/online.

Depending on your location, your current type of work or where you want to work will determine what kind of supervision you will gain. You will either gain supervision through your on-site university program (they typically have a program to help place you with an on-site facility that will train you/supervise you/and pay you while you work on-site), or through your own job. 

What kind of jobs will you be able to be supervised on?

ANSWER: Anything that is behavior analytical in nature. What do I mean by this? You will learn about the 7 dimensions of ABA soon enough, but to keep to the point - this will be any place in which you ARE indeed implementing ABA services. This means if you work in a school or facility with children or adults who are receiving behavior/therapy programming by a BCBA. If you are a teacher or volunteer who has the opportunity to work with a child or adult who requires/needs these services and are not receiving them currently, you may be able to get the opportunity with a remote BCBA. This will be something you have to discuss with your supervisor/boss, the remote BCBA and the potential client’s family. Note: you cannot get supervision for doing any job. It MUST be behavior analytical in nature.

PRO Tip: When consulting with a remote BCBA about this option, they will explain what is possible. Do not be afraid to ask!

How much supervision will I need? 

This is where you have to look up the guidelines of supervision at BACB. They have a chart and guide that shows you how many hours you must gain and by what time.

How long will getting supervision take me to complete?

It all depends on how many hours you work each week. The minimum hours you can gain a week are 10 hours direct, and the max is 30 hours direct. It can take anywhere from 1 year to 3 years. Some people work on their hours on or off while others wait until they’re done with their ABA programs.

PROTip: Try to gain some amount of hours during your programs, as the coursework will become more applicable and memorable for you. It’s the best way to get training. You need hands-on experience to be a competent practitioner in this field and waiting until after your program will be a terrible waste of quality learning time.

When CAN I start supervision?

You can start after you begin your ABA coursework. Even if you begin one course, you can start. You CANNOT, I repeat, CANNOT gain hours before you start. It can only begin after you start coursework.

PROTip: Start looking at local jobs in your area hiring for behavior technicians, or look for remote BCBA’s in forums or groups on sites like Facebook. Do this once you’ve been accepted into a program or are starting your first course. There are many competent practitioners who can direct you to someone qualified to do this or know of a job that might be offering supervision in your area!

3. You need to get organized 🗂

One of the most important part of your job will be to create systems and programs that create efficiency, learning opportunities, and growth. The best place to start is with yourself. When you begin your ABA program, having a highly organized schedule, calendar, and work routine will be key to keep your supervision on track, your education up to part, and yourself from going crazy. This is especially important if you are already a working adult and/or parent!

PROtip: Get yourself a binder and organize your supervision documents, all study materials, schedules, and important content that you’ll need throughout this process.

4. You need to stay on top of your studies ✏️📆

This field can be overwhelming and at first, the courses may make you feel like your brain is about to melt. Eventually it does in fact not only get easier but very interesting. Problem is, juggling studies with work, supervision (especially if this is being done in addition to your current job), and family life might suffer. To make sure it doesn’t overwhelm you, you need to create a schedule for yourself and set up your devices to remind you when big projects, exams, homework, supervision work and even your family meals are due. My friend, we will delve into this in my next post. For now, find what works for you. What prompts in your real life will help you remember when to study? When your next class is? When your supervisor needs that progress report? Do this and you will very much succeed.

5. You need to take care of yourself  🍷🏝

Throughout this process, there are likely going to be times when you WILL feel overwhelmed, burnt out, or ready to throw in the towel. DON’T. Remember to take moments (schedule this if you have to!) to take care of your own mental and physical well-being. Schedule breaks in between studying. Schedule time in your week to do something you love and pretend you’re not in school and don’t work. This is essential to anyone who wants to work in this field, as you will be obtaining large responsibilities that may involve the care and well-being of others.

6. You need to remember that ABA is a SCIENCE 📉

ABA is not Autism. ABA therapy/Autism therapy is an evidence based therapy branch of ABA. Right now, because of the healthcare benefits that were put into place some odd years ago, this has become a very large need in our field. It’s a very fun and exciting field to work in definitely, but it’s also NOT the only thing. Many people sometimes confuse the two as the same thing. This is not the science of working with people with ASD. It is the science of BEHAVIOR. And behavior is everywhere. You will hopefully learn in your work about the various branches that one can work in. For example, working with indiviiduals who have suffered brain trauma or alzheimers, incarcerated youth, business development, hospitals, early intervention, organizational management, and more. We can learn alot from others who are in these fields, and as you get further along in your studies, you will learn that you need to acquire experience and competence in any one or more of these branches in order to work in them in the future. 

i'm a potential '25 deciding between stanford and princeton. i really love both schools but i've heard intimidating things about how social life at pton can be competitive, and the concept of eating clubs feels a tiny bit cliquey (but i can also see how eating clubs foster a really strong sense of community!) would you say people at pton are happy? is it easy to form close relationships/make friends? is there anything you don't like about pton? (why did you choose pton?) thank you so much!

Response from Ocean:

It’s true that certain aspects of social life at Princeton are competitive.  However, I wouldn’t say that social life as a whole is competitive.  There are certain “prestigious” clubs that require bicker or an interview/application process, but by and large most clubs are open to everyone and it’s very possible to just decline to participate in those competitive types of activities.  They’re not essential or central to Princeton life in that sort of way. 

Eating clubs are a little bit different.  I haven’t really noticed them to be “cliquey”, exactly, as everyone I know who is in an eating club has many friends in other eating clubs or not in eating clubs at all.  Although there is certainly pressure around that aspect, I don’t think it’s any different than typical Greek life on most campuses -- maybe even less so because club members don’t actually live at the eating club, and aren’t required to do fundraisers or volunteer work together in the way a fraternity or sorority might.  

I would say it’s pretty easy to find and make new friends.  It’s a small community (slightly smaller than Stanford), so you see a lot of the same people over and over.  If you run into someone from your class at the dining hall, for example, it’s easy to sit down with them and strike up a conversation.  Would I say people are happy?  Right now I’m mostly noticing a lot of stress and depression among students, mostly mourning the lack of a normal school year, what we lost to the pandemic, and so on.  But I wouldn’t say we are more depressed or stressed than the average student at a prestigious institution.  During my mostly-normal freshman year, I was mostly very happy.  

As for things I don’t like about Princeton... well, you pretty much hit the nail on the head with the competitive aspects of social life.  I also wish there were better support systems in place for students who are struggling, but I think this is an “America’s healthcare system is shit” problem rather than a Princeton-specific problem.  

I chose to come here mostly because of the financial aid package, to be honest.  I didn’t get into any of the other competitive schools I applied for so it was basically Princeton or my local university, and Princeton was cheaper and much better quality.  Other contributors feel free to add on!

Response from TNTina:

honestly although this post might get quite long, i think it would probably be better the more contributors respond to this, because everyone’s experience is unique and everyone has different things they like and dislike about princeton.

i chose princeton because it was the best school i got into - i did not know prior to college what i wanted to study, and princeton is on a holistic level a very well rounded school. i still think it’s a very well rounded school as a whole, but if there are specific fields you think you might want to go into, i advise you consider this more heavily in how you choose a school. princeton, for example, doesn’t offer b. arch degrees. i’ve also heard that pre-med here is a big grind, and the grading is harsher compared to other similar schools. if there are specific professors you admire, consider that - i have a friend in east asian studies who gushed about a specific professor who was a total legend in the field and she was able to engage him in one on one interactions at princeton. if you’re interested in an experience like bridge year, also consider that. to top it off, i’ll just comment a few things that i think are unique to princeton that i like and that i don’t like. 

positive: access to professors - i may just be really lucky but my major has just been one of the most positive aspects of princeton to me. my professors have been overwhelmingly accessible and accommodating; they have checked in on me when i’ve struggled with personal problems, they have arranged meetings with me on the weekend last minute; princeton’s undergraduate focus really shines through. 

alumni connections: princeton does reunions (like the actual event) like no other school. truly, i think the alumni network is by far the strongest of any school in this country. i can’t speak for experiences at other schools but there have been times i have needed advice and reached out to alumni - i’ve been lucky for sure, but there has not been a single alum who hasn’t replied to me and devoted a considerable amount of time to talk to me. the internship i��m doing this summer i probably got in large part because i vibed with an alum i got in touch with.

neutral: single major: you can’t double major at princeton, and you wouldn’t have the time to even if you wanted to. in retrospect, i definitely wanted to double major if i went anywhere else, but without the single major policy i also don’t think wouldn’t have found the department i’m currently in.

independent work/thesis: you should really think this one through. thesis is mandatory for all undergraduate students, and a good amount of your time here will be spent doing research. this is a huge grind and a bit of a pain for a lot of people but it is also really really beneficial for grad schools, and i’ve heard from several alumni that it is also really impressive to employers (at least in some fields). it is also just a very unique intellectual experience. 

negative: eating clubs. i really am not a fan of the eating club system for several reasons. i do not think they are ‘cliquey’ necessarily, but at the very least they pose logistical challenges - if you are in different eating clubs than your friends or you’re not in an eating club, in your later years it becomes hard to get meals with friends. it’s also logistically difficult for underclassmen, and i think it exacerbates an artificial class year divide, as most upperclassmen eat in eating clubs and underclassmen will often have limited opportunity to eat with their upperclassmen friends. the eating clubs also pose an absurd cost (the main reason i did not join a club). and despite how much they might deny it, each eating club does have a different reputation and thus has a tendency to attract people who vibe with that reputation. eating clubs also have extracurricular/social affiliations to a degree, and i think this also exacerbates a tendency for people to just group with people who are similar to themselves. this is not to say that people don’t do this naturally in society and at other schools though. on a more positive note though, i will say though that i think ocean is right about the fact that people do not typically identify very strongly with their eating clubs and their eating affiliation does not define them in the way that a frat or sorority might. if i had to choose, i would definitely prefer 70% of people being in an eating club than 70% of people being in greek life.

best of luck, you have some fantastic choices - and i really think you can’t go wrong here! 

Sean Herrera, FASA 2020-21 Professional Development Chair

The day after I was accepted into Michigan’s graduate program, I looked up if they had any Filipino student organizations. I had actually attempted to start a Filipino student association during my time at Auburn University, but my advisor told me I probably couldn’t found an organization based on the THREE (3) Filipinos in the entirety of Auburn’s 30,000 student population. Nice. With this in mind, I looked at Michigan as not only a means to gain my mechanical engineering graduate degree, but also as an opportunity to explore my culture. I joined FASA my first year here, and was elected Professional Development (PD) chair in the following winter semester. Looking back at that decision, it was the first step to a very rewarding tenure on FASA’s executive board.

Serving as Professional Development chair was a daunting task when it was handed to me. Not only was I the first graduate student to be on a board position, this was the inaugural year of Professional Development chair as a position on FASA’s executive board. I basically had no previous programming to work off of, but I held high expectations for what PD chair could provide for FASA. I began to curate events and programs that would explore the intersectionality of Filipino identity and the professional workplace. After all, Michigan already offers a plethora of professional development and career building opportunities, but I aimed to explore how specifically our identity as Filipinos and Fil-Am’ affects this development. The best way I thought to accomplish this was through having distinguished FASA alumni speak on their lived experiences, and on how they leveraged/navigated their Filipino identity in their careers. Having former alumni speak on these topics throughout my events this past year has been an honor, and learning from their experiences across different industries has definitely put perspective on how I can leverage my own Filipino identity in a more activist-based role in my engineering work. COVID, however, has been a blessing and a curse to the PD chair. It took away a lot of my potential events: in-person alumni panels, TED-Talk type of events for general members, and even serving as a point of contact on Homecoming weekend, just to name a few. On the other hand, the pandemic has also normalized virtual events, and I had the unique opportunity of interacting with alumni all across the country and globe for a diversity of experiences. But frankly, more can be done. PD chair’s responsibilities as a FASA board member are far from defined, and there’s always more room to grow. I’m really looking forward to where the next PD chair takes this position and how it will continue to create a lasting impact on FASA.

Shamatilyn

At a personal level, I cannot thank FASA board enough for what it has provided for me. Grad school is extremely taxing, and frankly it’s a learned skill to find time for your passions outside of school or research. FASA board was something I had to set aside time to do, literally forcing me to not do school work for a part of my day. This may all sound silly, but in theory, if any given grad student put 100% of their time into school work and research, they would literally have no time for anything else. Finding this compromise between grad school and your life outside of academics is essential to your overall well being and success, and I’m happy FASA Board helped me recognize this. You need to find external motivations that can support you beyond what you are professionally working for, and in my opinion you’ll be happier in the long run if you do so. Could I have spent less time at apartment 403? I probably and maybe would not call that a false statement. But it is certainly not one I regret to admit! (Shoutout to the boyz.)

The Boyz of 403

Being a grad student officer in a primarily undergraduate organization was definitely an interesting experience, especially in the beginning phases when not many people knew me. “Did you expect to be hanging out with undergrads this much?” - Says anyone ever after they figure out I am an active member in FASA. I had actually brought this question up to one of my friends back in Alabama, and he told me that as long as I was around people that put me in a position to learn and grow, does it really matter? I certainly have my own graduate student cohort, but FASA board really allows its officers to learn beyond their single chair responsibilities. I personally never had the opportunity at Auburn University to connect with literally a single person of the same ethnic background. Exploring your culture with others is invaluable, and my peers on FASA board have made me learn so much about my heritage in my time. If anything, I’m happy this experience has allowed me to connect and become close with younger students at a level I never anticipated. I want to end this section on this thought exercise. Is it strange for the grad student to hang out with undergrads, or is it strange for undergrads to hang out with a boomer grad student such as myself? Cringe much? I’ll let you decide. But if you wanted to know the answer, I am always right.

The Boardie Boomers

It’s funny how I ended up on a FASA board position in which I am supposed to provide direction in people’s careers and professional lives, when I myself have no idea what I want to do after I graduate from Michigan. Look at me, the professional development chair who needs to be professionally developed! Interestingly, while I have certainly made great progress professionally at Michigan, my time in FASA has allowed me to grow significantly in all aspects that aren’t professional. I may not know exactly what career lies ahead for me, but my cohort in FASA board has pushed me to learn about what I value in my life and outside of my work. Objectively, stand-up comedy, singing, playing the ukulele, and choreographing an indigenous coconut dance does not sound like the usual accolades after people are done with a Mechanical Engineering master’s degree at Michigan. But it’s this creativity that I love about FASA Board. FASA Board always pushes you to grow whether you realize it or not, and It has certainly allowed me to realize how important a creative outlet is in parallel to my professional career.

Bye FASA Board UWU OWO

Thank you FASA for allowing me to grow in ways I could not imagine, and for connecting me with individuals who would become some of my closest friends. It was an honor to serve as the first grad student and first Professional Development chair for FASA, and I am excited to see PD chair grow in the future. For anyone running for Board, I encourage you to keep in mind that the value you gain out of board is well beyond the scope of just the specific position. It extends to the relationships you form, and the experiences you have with others who also wish to explore Filipino culture. My time on FASA board was invaluable, and I’ll carry these lessons with me well beyond my time at Michigan.

Weagz,

Sean

Who’s That with TAT? Dr. Juanita Morris, Educational Consultant, a familiar face in our community, accepted a new role with the Decatur Public Schools Foundation on July 1. As program coordinator for the Jerry J. Dawson Civic Leadership Institute (DCLI), Dr. Morris oversees planning and implementation for this new career-development program funded by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation. Through DCLI, District 61 middle and high school students will be provided opportunities to engage in civic-focused career exploration, exposing them to potential jobs that support a positive social framework for our community. DCLI’s inaugural year is focused on three specific career fields that converged in national attention during 2020: law enforcement and social justice, healthcare, and politics and local governance. DCLI graduates who have fully engaged in the program are eligible for Richland Community College scholarships. A Decatur native, Dr. Morris credits her extensive history of working in education in preparing her for her new role. She is enthusiastic about her new responsibilities, saying, “I get to do fun stuff EVERY DAY, right here in my hometown!” Dr. Morris has worked more than 25 years in K-12 and higher education, teaching high school and college-level math as well as research methods to undergraduate and graduate students. She also has recruited thousands of high school seniors to attend colleges and universities and has served as an administrator for both K-12 and higher education. During her career, she has worked for three historically Black institutions of higher education. Dr. Morris completed her bachelor’s degree in mathematical science and statistics from University of Illinois Springfield, and both her master’s degree and doctorate in higher education administration from Illinois State University. Dr. Morris is married to Dr. Jeremy K. Morris; they are parents to Nia, 13, and Kyle, 14. #WhosthatwithTAT https://www.instagram.com/p/CIhDes2ASnV/?igshid=19fo9vc42yxew

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Table of ContentsSome Of ImmigrationLos Angeles Immigration Lawyers Things To Know Before You BuyBest Immigration Lawyers In California - The FactsThe Ultimate Guide To Los Angeles Immigration LawyersImmigration Lawyer Los Angeles Fundamentals ExplainedAll about Immigration Lawyer Los Angeles

The same can be said for acquiring experience in a social outreach company, company that depends on non-citizen staff members, or government office that handles migration. If a straight link with immigration is not offered, any kind of paid or volunteer task that includes public talking, creating, research, or various other skills valued in the legal occupation could be worth pursuing.

These may consist of courses and even concentrations or certifications in migration legislation or associated locations, which give a vital academic foundation for an occupation in this specialty - law firm. Along with academics, and as kept in mind above, you ought to likewise seek as several possibilities to gain hands-on experience in the legal field as you can, specifically in immigration lawrelated work.

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For the majority of people planning to practice law, including immigration legislation, the JD is the basic degree. Yet some regulation school graduates take place to pursue various other levels or credentials calling for extra study, such as the Master of Laws (LLM) or the Physician of Scientific Research of Law/Doctor of Juridical Scientific Research (JSD or SJD).

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It's clear that legal careers often tend to pay well, though individual lawyers' salaries can vary significantly, even within the same legal specialty, like migration law. The solutions you offer, clientele you offer, as well as area of the country you practice in can all impact earning potential. According to the U.S - Immigration help..

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Mean incomes top $140,000 for those used by the federal government, while pay for state as well as local government ranges from $85,000 to $93,000 each year (ILOLA). Legal representatives used by big, effective law office or huge firms tend to gain more than those that possess their own practices or work for nonprofit organizations.

An attorney who approves a placement with a tiny migration not-for-profit, for instance, may select that choice with the understanding that while the wage is lower than standard, the job offers the opportunity to offer people in life-altering circumstances who do not have the resources to acquire lawful help or else. Not to state the contentment prices are continually greater for public passion attorneys.

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There are certainly plenty of on-line resources to help you find out more about coming to be an immigration legal representative; nonetheless, you might locate it's practical to begin by getting in touch with individuals in the field. This might mean conducting an informative interview with a working immigration legal representative, perhaps via your undergraduate institution (ask the occupation or graduates workplaces at your institution).

You might likewise obtain a chance to chat regarding migration law at a law school fair. Another useful resource is the American Migration Lawyers Association, a national company of even more than 15,000 lawyers as well as instructors that exercise and also educate migration law. This nonpartisan nonprofit provides proceeding lawful education, info, as well as professional services.

As you check out migration law with these and various other sources, you might find it uses the ideal occupation possibility for you. citizenship.

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A good migration attorney can make all the difference to your situation (california). Several are difficult working, sincere experts who really want to help. They could, besides, possibly be making a great deal even more cash in some various other area of law. They're also handling a tough, delay-prone administration; and also facing even more stress than ever because the COVID-19 pandemic led to numerous immigration office closures and also more hold-ups.

Whether you are looking for to file a petition for a visa or permit, attempting to stay clear of expulsion, or looking for some other immigration advantage, ensure you get the right sort of lawyer in your corner. Right here are some ideas to prevent the shadier types of experts (law firm). A few "high-volume, reduced value" migration lawyers prowl the corridors of migration offices trying to solicit organization.

Besides, any kind of great immigration lawyer is possibly going to be also busy exercising migration law and also benefiting their customers to spend their time rounding up new customers by doing this. Would certainly you ask a neighbor to change your heart shutoff, or your physician to complete your tax forms? Ideally not.

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Unfortunately, numerous non-lawyers; also some well-meaning ones, that don't acknowledge exactly how facility this area of regulation really is; claim to be qualified of assisting foreigners who need assist with the migration procedure. Oftentimes, they supply little worth apart from a keying service. In the most awful cases, they may literally take your cash and also run, or submit your types in incorrect as well as dangerous means without telling you the definition of what they're doing (ILOLA).

If the only evaluations you transform up show the lawyer obtaining jailed or disbarred, you can conserve yourself a personal conference. Take care of any type of https://www.google.com/maps?cid=10302068370223715763 migration lawyer who suggests that you do something shady: perhaps rest on an application or to a USCIS policeman, provide the attorney money with which to reward an immigration authority, or buy a fake permit from him or her - Linda Lee.

The depressing point is that if you are captured supporting such a system, you are likely to get right into far more trouble than the attorney. Claiming, "But he informed me that buying this environment-friendly card stamp was the fastest way to operate in the UNITED STATE!" is most likely to obtain you nowhere, and also will develop an irreversible tarnish on your immigration document, possibly making you disqualified for any type of future visas or permits (inadmissible).

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Eventually, the outcome of your instance depends on a migration judge, the Department of Homeland Protection and/or USCIS. Any kind of attorney claiming she or he has a 100% success rate and guaranteeing you a specific outcome may need to be a lot more carefully examined. While the majority of good immigration attorneys will likely be rather busy, you ought to be able to speak with them and their workplace team to get a sense of their commitment to clients in addition to their total demeanor and perception of honesty.

A (very) honest cover letter

Dear service, charity or company I am applying to for a job,

I admit, my CV looks a bit muddled. That’s because choosing one’s educational path and subsequent career can be extremely difficult for people like me! When I was at school, like many, I had a wide range of interests. I found science really interesting, but I also loved playing the flute – and I kind of found social sciences and humanities interesting too. So it was hard to even choose my A levels – particularly when I had teachers telling me I’d be great at other subjects I hadn’t even considered, like English.

Due to the high-performing academic school I went to, my career advice was essentially “go to a good university”. Ideally Oxbridge. Or it was good if you wanted to be a doctor or a lawyer – they could help you with that. Otherwise you were a bit stuck. Having no ardent desire for either of these careers, I applied for psychology and philosophy, because I thought it sounded interesting and was a nice blend of my interests within and outside of science.

Funnily enough, I found myself wanting to veer away from my degree once I’d started it, as I hadn’t been ready to make this commitment. I took a year out from my degree to apply for music college but was unsuccessful, as there are a lot of good flute players. I therefore decided to go back to finishing off my degree. With all my university friends being a year further ahead with their degrees, I struggled to fit back in and make any new ones. My mental health declined and I started developing an eating disorder. This got me thinking about the relationship between food and health from an academic perspective, so it gave me an idea for further study. I therefore applied to a Master’s degree in Human Nutrition. Due to sheer determination to obtain my place, I battled through the rest of my undergraduate to narrowly miss out on a 1st class honours degree.

I absolutely loved my Master’s degree – learning about nutrition from multiple perspectives, including public health and molecular nutrition. I finally felt that I had found what I always wanted to do – a PhD in molecular nutrition, as this was the area I found most interesting. I applied to PhDs in this area from early on in my Master’s, but at that time I lacked the relevant experience. I therefore opted for a laboratory based project to conclude my Master’s degree. I performed so well that my supervisor offered me a PhD opportunity within his research team – but it was a clinical trial based project, rather than in a lab, so I decided to turn it down – a decision I now regret. At the time I suddenly worried that I had nothing lined up for September once I finished my course, so I made a couple of rash job applications, including to a healthcare recruitment company in London. Being a new company, they rang me up for a telephone interview minutes after I had sent in my CV. Not even knowing what I was taking on or considering the implications, I was suddenly moving to London to start the job – because I’d heard how tricky the jobs market was, and I was scared that if I didn’t take this first opportunity, nothing else would come along.

The job could not have been a worse fit. Going from being in a lab to sitting behind a desk making telephone calls all day was a living hell. What’s more, I’d left my boyfriend and other friends still in Sheffield, and was living far out of the city with just a dodgy live-in landlord for company. Therefore, before I went completely mad I quit the job – with my back-up plan being to apply for PhDs once more. In the meantime, I managed to get myself work in a bookshop to tie me over.

I was part-way through applying for lab-based nutrition PhDs (including at the Rowett Institute in Aberdeen, where I closely missed out on a place during my Master’s), when I came across a PhD opportunity involving the microbiome - a topic I had found interesting within molecular nutrition - based in London, that was starting in just two months’ time. I sent in my CV thinking I would not stand a chance, but was invited to interview. As I was so keen to land a PhD opportunity, my enthusiasm at interview paid off over my experience. Sadly, I was woefully unqualified for what the project would actually entail – coding and statistics.

If I’m honest, it was like a part of my brain knew the London-based PhD had been more a ‘PhD of convenience’ than the right fit, as from the beginning I didn’t give the project the 110% I had given my Master’s (where I achieved an average mark of 80%). Looking back, I regret jumping in for this project and giving up on my applications to the Rowett Institute and other molecular PhDs. If I had been successful, maybe I’d be doing a PhD project I loved now. Or maybe I wouldn’t – because this kind of life experience causes you to subsequently question a lot of things. Once I had quit the PhD and started working in a restaurant, followed by a bar as a front of house (where I work to this day), it gave me time to think about what was really important. I realised I wanted to make a difference to the world within my career, if I still had the chance. Having both friends and a partner doing very specific scientific PhDs, I started thinking that maybe this wasn’t the best way of making a measurable, profound impact, because science is as much a game of luck as anything else. When you’re a PhD student, your relationship with your supervisor and work ethos of your lab or research group can play as much of a role defining the success of your project and future scientific career as the actual research you’re doing. What’s more, scientists are seemingly supposed to devote their lives to the job (particularly if they work in a lab), working long unsociable hours in the hope they might get that significant result which will boost their thesis and lead to journal publication.

Having some time out to do a job that doesn’t use my brain much has meant that when I’ve been away from work, I’ve had the time and space to realise just how lost I became in my journey. When I was a little kid, I cared about animals and the environment, and wanted people to be nice to each other. I didn’t care about prestige, money, or looking like a smart alec (though that can feel nice). One of the first work-type, outreach sort of things I remember doing aged 11 was making personalised stickers to sell to my classmates to raise money for the Marine Conservation Society, and emailing businesses like M&S to encourage them not to use unsustainable palm oil, in order to save the orangutans. Where did that girl go? She got lost in a world where academic success defined later life, and then got scared she wouldn’t be able to earn enough money to live. It caused her to run away from what mattered.

Because of this, I’m now looking for something that matters, but I’m still not sure what that is exactly, so I’m open to options. I’m applying to charities, and to working for the civil service, as that might be a way to make a measurable impact. Ideally, I’d love to be able to use my enthusiasm and passion for the environment, or my knowledge about health and nutrition. I keep trying, but I never seem to be much good at those ‘competency questions’. I can’t necessarily think of specific examples where I’ve shown outstanding customer service or made effective decisions – particularly when I have to follow the STAR formula to get enough points to be considered for the next round. That’s too formulaic for me – I’m better at speaking from the heart. But writing this has shown me two things. Firstly, I am finally ready to commit myself fully to pretty much anything where I feel like I’m making some kind of difference – or that I’d be able to get on a career path to eventually doing so. Secondly, it shows that I’ve gone through enough of a jobs-related nightmare that I deserve a chance. What makes me upset almost every day is when I stop and think that I went from being a top-class Master’s student, who potentially could have aced a scientific career, to right now, working in a meaningless job where I don’t even need GCSE’s. I admit that I made mistakes. But I think I’ve demonstrated that these were due either to poor timing or fear. That has cost me dearly, but I hope that it won’t have ruined my chances for a successful and fulfilling career in the future.

Therefore, if any of my words have managed to appeal to anyone, please consider me if you can. I have proved in the past that if I am passionate, I will work extremely hard – and it is my desire to be able to do so. So if you have an opportunity which would inject me with enthusiasm, I believe I could help you.

Best wishes,

Tilly Potter (real name Imogen, but I prefer using my nickname).

Sami Alahmadi, UIC alumnus and 2020 Rhodes Scholar representing the Saudi Arabia constituency.

UIC alumnus named second Rhodes Scholar for Saudi Arabia

Twenty years after arriving in the United States, University of Illinois at Chicago alumnus and aspiring physician Sami Alahmadi has been selected as the second Rhodes Scholar to represent Saudi Arabia.

He also is the second UIC-affiliated scholar to be selected for the distinguished scholarship. Rudyard Sadleir, a UIC Honors College senior majoring in environmental geology, was chosen from the U.S. constituency in 2000.

Alahmadi, a 2018 UIC graduate in biological sciences and minor in Spanish from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, is part of a cohort of more than 100 scholars from around the world to earn the honor over the past few weeks, making this the largest class of scholars in the history of the Rhodes Scholarship.

The scholarship, issued by the Rhodes Trust, is one of the most prestigious international scholarship programs and enables outstanding students from around the world who demonstrate high potential in learning and leading to study at the University of Oxford.

Having been a finalist in 2018, Alahmadi said the last year has been one of self-reflection. To go through the application process a second time and to be named a Rhodes Scholar this year is incredibly “humbling and fulfilling,” according to Alahmadi, who was born in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

“I am also especially honored to be able to represent Saudi Arabia and use my experiences as a Saudi to inform my interactions with my peers and in turn learn from their unique perspectives,” he said.

The former UIC Honors College member will go to England in September 2020 and receive at least two years of free tuition and fees, an annual stipend and travel to and from Oxford twice in an academic year. He will defer his medical education to pursue a master’s degree in global health sciences and epidemiology, as well as a master’s degree in public policy while at Oxford.

He still plans to pursue a medical career with the goal of reducing health disparities. 

Alahmadi, a resident of Hickory Hills, Illinois, and 2014 graduate of Stagg High School, conducted biomedical research as an undergraduate in the lab of Dr. Akira Yoshii, UIC assistant professor of anatomy and cell biology in the College of Medicine.

Since graduating, he has been investigating genetic risk factors associated with neurodegenerative disorders in the lab of Leon Tai, UIC assistant professor of anatomy and cell biology in the College of Medicine.

He also has been an active volunteer in Chicago’s low-income minority communities, where he assisted hospice patients at an inpatient unit on the South Side, worked at an immigration center that serves Mexican immigrants and refugees, and tutored at a writing center for Chicago Public School students. He also has campaigned for legislation to bridge social and health disparities for marginalized populations.

His experiences as an immigrant and working in Chicago have had a major influence on his decision to enter the medical profession and work with communities with limited access to health care, Alahmadi said.

“Working in these capacities really showed me how every aspect of their lives were intertwined with one another and I saw how access to care dictated a great deal of their access to other things like education, employment, social mobility, happiness, safety, etc.,” he said. “I also saw how these issues needed to be addressed at their core and ultimately became involved in political advocacy for legislation that would uplift these communities.”

Alahmadi considers his parents as the top influential factors that led to his selection as a Rhodes Scholar.

“Specifically, their unyielding support and sacrifices to provide me with quality education and development throughout my life, especially as immigrants in a foreign country, as well as their example of civic-mindedness, justice and giving of oneself that guided me throughout my life,” he said.

He also credits the university’s resources, such as the Office of External Fellowships, support and encouragement from professors in the sciences and humanities, and his community experiences.

“This achievement is as much mine as it is for all those involved,” he said. “I also hope to be a source of information and motivation for any other UIC student who wishes to pursue this incredible opportunity.”

Diversity within the student population and location in the heart of Chicago were key factors that led Alahmadi to select UIC for his undergraduate studies.

“Being in the city afforded me so many opportunities to do meaningful work in the nearby communities that were in great need. I could not be any happier with my decision to attend UIC and the growth it offered me as a person and future provider,” he said.

The Rhodes Scholarship for Saudi Arabia was launched in 2018 by the Rhodes Trust, in partnership with Muhammad Alagil, co-founder of Jarir Bookstores, and in collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Education. Later that year, Majd Abdulghani, a geneticist at the University of Michigan’s Life Sciences Institute, was selected as the first Saudi Arabian Rhodes Scholar.

Anis Barmada, a UIC Honors College member majoring in biological sciences and chemistry in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Zuka’a Joudeh, a 2019 UIC graduate in political science and Germanic studies, were part of a select group of U.S. finalists for a 2020 Rhodes Scholarship. 

UIC’s Office of External Fellowships provides advising and assistance to current undergraduate and professional school students in finding and applying for a range of nationally and internationally competitive fellowships, scholarships and grants.

Graduate position: sexual selection and trait evolution

PhD Project on how sexual selection contributes to trait evolution and population differentiation I seek a PhD candidate for a fully-funded 3-year PhD scholarship in the School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. Project description: This PhD position offers the flexibility for the PhD student to decide on the direction of the doctoral studies within the framework of my research program. Possible projects include theoretical studies of how the genetic architecture of traits can influence variation; comparative genomics and transcriptomics of sexually selected traits; and/or empirical studies of behavioral ecology, sexual selection, and drivers of variation. The PhD position has the opportunity to include theoretical, computational, laboratory-based, and/or field-based research. The successful candidate will be fully funded, including research costs, with a stipend for three years plus payment of tuition fees and associated service charges. The Flanagan lab: My group studies how and why complex traits and behaviors evolve, with a focus on sexually selected traits. We use a number of different methods to address these broad questions: studies of relevant traits and selection on those traits; genomic studies of signatures of selection; and theoretical simulation studies. For more information, please see the lab website: https://flanagan-lab.github.io/. My lab is inclusive, welcoming, and committed to advancing diversity; I welcome everyone regardless of their nationality, ethnicity, color, socioeconomic background, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, and age. I especially encourage members of historically underrepresented groups including (but not limited to) people of color, women, veterans, and people from socioeconomically disadvantaged communities to inquire about opportunities and apply to join my group. Eligibility: I seek a PhD candidate with a demonstrated high level of academic achievement at the undergraduate and/or postgraduate level. The candidate is required to have a BSc with Honors (or equivalent) or a Masters degree to enroll as a PhD candidate at the University of Canterbury. See the University's eligibility requirements for more detail: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/enrol/doctoral/apply/ The ideal candidate will have research experience in behavioral ecology, evolutionary biology, and/or population genetics and genomics. Previous experience with programming (e.g., R, C/C++, python), analysis of genomic or transcriptomic data, and/or molecular techniques is preferred. The University: The University of Canterbury is located in Christchurch, the largest city in New Zealand's South Island. The University has approximately 13,000 students and 2,000 postgraduate students enrolled. The University's modern and well-equipped facilities are spread across a spacious suburban campus, with easy access to the city and the cultural and recreational facilities it provides. There is also good access to the scenic and recreational resources of the Southern Alps and Banks Peninsula. Application and contact: Applications should include a letter of application (cover letter), CV, academic transcripts, and the email addresses of two scientific referees. In the cover letter please describe your relevant research experience and include your specific research interests with potential project ideas. The review of applications will begin 15 July 2019. For more information or to apply please contact me by email: Dr Sarah Flanagan, School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, [email protected]