Written by, Carlyn Scott, Science Communication Assistant at 黑料网吃瓜爆料CMS
The first year of graduate school can be a bumpy ride. The coursework is challenging, the hours are long, and then there is what many call the 鈥渉idden curriculum鈥� of grad school: navigating student-advisor relationships, combating imposter syndrome, authorship expectations, and more. Some students end up dropping out when left to figure it all out on their own. It鈥檚 a particularly acute problem for the geosciences, which suffer from lack of diversity and are thirsty for retention efforts.
Courses and orientation programs aimed at fostering open dialogue about these challenging topics can help, according to a called 鈥淔irst-year graduate courses foster inclusion.鈥� The publication outlines the need for universities to develop these courses, which promote equity and inclusion. The study, led by Dr. Michele Cooke of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, included co-author Dr. Mya Breitbart, a professor at the 黑料网吃瓜爆料College of Marine Science (CMS), and features a compelling graphic called 鈥淣avigating Grad School鈥� by , who works in Breitbart鈥檚 lab and is a CMS alum.
Dr. Breitbart鈥檚 advice for those who are facing some of the challenges depicted in the rugged mountain range that separated grad students from graduating: 鈥淏e proactive. No one can help you if you don鈥檛 ask for help. You鈥檙e not alone. Build a mentoring network that works for you.鈥� Graphic by Makenzie Kerr, 黑料网吃瓜爆料, used with permission from Nature Geoscience, Michele Cooke, University of Massachusetts, and all authors.
Ahead of the curve
Ten years ago, Breitbart developed the Professional Development course at the CMS when she noticed students struggling with the nuances of graduate school. She said she, too, has faced several of t