The Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program aims to support underrepresented students in STEM fields. The program’s emphasis on paid research and internship experiences, curricular enrichment, and student development are all crucial elements in helping students succeed in STEM.
The theme for this year’s conference, “Reset, Restore, Reconnect,” seems appropriate given the challenges posed by the past few years. It encouraged participants to take a moment to pause, reflect, and take stock of what we’ve accomplished in order to plan our next steps. Replenishing mental, emotional, and physical health is essential, especially after facing the stresses and uncertainties of the past few years. Finally, reconnecting with others and rebuilding our academic support systems provides much-needed support and strength as we continue our journey into higher education.
Entering the workforce can be a daunting task, especially when you come from a background that differs from the norm. The presenters at this conference were open and vulnerable about their experiences and offered advice on how to navigate these challenges. As an Indigenous woman in mathematics, I had the experience of being the only Native American woman in my computer science cohort. While developing my academic maturity, it enabled me to understand how my heritage prioritized storytelling and revealed to me that the culture of underrepresented, minority students can alter learning styles that do not adhere to Eurocentric norms. This motivated me to combine my Indigenous heritage into my academic vision — a sentiment that was echoed throughout the presentations of multiple keynote speakers.
Throughout the conference, many presenters emphasized the importance of understanding boundaries, setting goals, and not letting scarcity mindsets impact our learning style. They stressed the importance of giving yourself grace while learning and not being afraid to say no to opportunities to prevent burnout.
One of the most important takeaways from the conference was the importance of mentorship and networking. Enrichment programs and mentorship opportunities can help underrepresented minority students in STEM get exposure to the field early on. It’s important to seek guidance from people who understand the academic system. Furthermore, knowing which questions to ask early on provides insight into the intentions, benefits, and reasoning behind pursuing research versus internships while building a resume.
As a student, it’s important to reflect often and take inventory of accomplishments. It is often a privilege to begin documenting one’s education early in their degree path. The LSAMP organization is a perfect example of getting students prepared early on instead of right before graduation. Although this conference is aimed at undergraduates with limited research experience, I am about to finish my bachelor’s and enter my master’s program. I was advised that it’s integral to understand that the first semester of graduate school is for figuring out your workflow and bandwidth. Coursework should always be the priority, extra-curriculars come after you figure out how much you can handle.
Throughout the conference, many speakers emphasized the importance of reputation and work ethic. Networking leads to social capital. It was emphasized that phone calls are still relevant forms of contact and can show a tone of enthusiasm that can’t be communicated through long emails. Informational interviews with leaders in your field can provide valuable insights and save you time. When approaching a mentor, it’s important to research their background and prepare open-ended questions in advance, respect their schedule, and send a follow-up email within 48 hours along with a thank you note and reminder of any commitments they made to you.
Finally, the conference reminded me that sometimes we must separate research from the professor and accept that they are not all-knowing beings. Expanding our horizons and having multiple mentors can help us gain a better understanding of our field. It was validating to hear that. Some mentors provide emotional guidance, while others focus on professional development or research assistance. And remember, if you don’t know your program coordinator, then they don’t know you, and you’re missing out on future opportunities. I often tell other students to not be intimidated by professors and administration. They are a resource for students and there to help us — they are also our peers!
In conclusion, the conference was a great reminder that we all have endless possibilities in our futures. It’s important to hold ourselves in high regard as scholars and be confident in our work, even as undergraduate students. We should also aim to pour back into our community and mentor other students, asking ourselves what we would have liked to know our first year as college students. By following these principles and utilizing mentorship and networking opportunities, we can achieve success in our fields while staying true to ourselves.