ESA 2016 is almost over, and it has been fun in the racing across the convention center between talks kind of way. I decided to be a student volunteer, primarily as a way to cover the expenses associated with attending the conference this year, so I arrive Sunday early afternoon to help with registration. I was so surprised at what I saw both Sunday and Monday that I decided to tweet about it. Diversity seems to have become a hot topic over the past few years with many initiatives aimed at increasing diversity in both higher education and the workplace in all STEM-related fields. This is something I've become a bit passionate about over the past few years as I've furthered my career in Ecology. I've felt like I had a responsibility to the next generation to expose them to STEM in a way that is encouraging and supportive. Therefore, as my workload allows while in grad school, I've given back to my community through STEM outreach . Therefore, imagine my surprise when I saw many of colorful faces who are traditionally under-represented (URMs) in STEM and higher education. Albeit most of them were undergrads (I was mistaken as an undergrad this week and almost got indignant about it, but that's unrelated), it shows PROGRESS.
Back in 2013, fresh from graduating from my Master's at Chicago State University, I attending ESA in Minneapolis, MN and the only other face I saw that looked similar to mine was a professor in education who had an exhibit and whose research focused on improving STEM education for URMs. After seeing me, I received the most often asked question. What made me choose to make a career out of ecology? Who helped me? What resources? etc... I would say most people are baffled by my response. I'm not involved in SEEDS, didn't know about it until I was in grad school by which it was too late. Nor was I involved in any other programs whose mission was to increase participation of URMs in STEM.
I thought I knew what my path was going to be ever since I was 6, it oscillated between doctor, nurse and first African-American female president (something I vividly remember my teachers always asking me to say, I wonder if they believed it or was just patronizing me, but I detest politics now). From 6th-12th grade, I let go of my political aspirations and was on the healthcare pathway. Never realizing that those science fairs I participated in, joining Academic Games, debate team and robotics were in a sense hinting that my career may well be setting me on a different path. The sad thing is that those extra-curricular activities are no longer offered in my public school system. Of course, I didn't realize this new path until my Junior year in college, and I spent many years trying to catch up to those always knew they wanted to go into academia. I think I've done a pretty good job of that.
This ESA has been refreshing, to say the least. I'm struggling with choosing talks to attend as my previous research (masters) was on topics involving plant ecology and modeling population dynamics and my current research involves invasion ecology, disease ecology, and of course modeling. I haven't completely let go of the first as I'm still collaborating on projects not related to my current dissertation research. I know what the currency is in academia and believe it or not but I will have nice cushion in my bank account when I become Dr. Samniqueka Halsey
Back in 2013, fresh from graduating from my Master's at Chicago State University, I attending ESA in Minneapolis, MN and the only other face I saw that looked similar to mine was a professor in education who had an exhibit and whose research focused on improving STEM education for URMs. After seeing me, I received the most often asked question. What made me choose to make a career out of ecology? Who helped me? What resources? etc... I would say most people are baffled by my response. I'm not involved in SEEDS, didn't know about it until I was in grad school by which it was too late. Nor was I involved in any other programs whose mission was to increase participation of URMs in STEM.
I thought I knew what my path was going to be ever since I was 6, it oscillated between doctor, nurse and first African-American female president (something I vividly remember my teachers always asking me to say, I wonder if they believed it or was just patronizing me, but I detest politics now). From 6th-12th grade, I let go of my political aspirations and was on the healthcare pathway. Never realizing that those science fairs I participated in, joining Academic Games, debate team and robotics were in a sense hinting that my career may well be setting me on a different path. The sad thing is that those extra-curricular activities are no longer offered in my public school system. Of course, I didn't realize this new path until my Junior year in college, and I spent many years trying to catch up to those always knew they wanted to go into academia. I think I've done a pretty good job of that.
This ESA has been refreshing, to say the least. I'm struggling with choosing talks to attend as my previous research (masters) was on topics involving plant ecology and modeling population dynamics and my current research involves invasion ecology, disease ecology, and of course modeling. I haven't completely let go of the first as I'm still collaborating on projects not related to my current dissertation research. I know what the currency is in academia and believe it or not but I will have nice cushion in my bank account when I become Dr. Samniqueka Halsey