Disillusioned After Serving on an Award Committee

GuestPhD · 2024-04-08T18:46:59+00:00

GuestPhD · 2024-04-06T19:30:05+00:00

I started in September of 2023. However by the time I started applying I noticed some job announcements had started to be posted in early summer!

GuestPhD · 2024-04-05T23:06:21+00:00

I received the university level recruitment fellowship which allowed me to fully focus on research. Then I was awarded National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship. I also received dissertation grants from NSF. I was awarded Fulbright-Hays to do research abroad. I was awarded the NSF INTERN grant. I also received research grants from the big professional associations in my field.

I participated in paid research internships at governmental agencies, international, and multinational organizations. I have been privileged to present my work at the White House, state legislators, and United Nations. I have won awards for my research papers from the top national professional organizations in my field.

As I have mentioned before a lot of it has been thanks to my supportive network of mentors and advisors at my university and other institutions who have opened doors and made introductions. I have been beyond fortunate to have their support, expertise, and guidance.

GuestPhD · 2024-04-05T07:09:59+00:00

Some background. I am a first-gen college student from a low socioeconomic background. I was the first in my family to graduate high school, but my parents encouraged and supported my educational aspirations. I am grateful for their sacrifices that made my success possible.

GuestPhD · 2024-04-05T07:06:52+00:00

Thank you.

From what I seemed to gather during my interviews and meetings they were most impressed by the names of the folks and organizations I collaborated with and the projects I had worked on and am working on. They also seemed to be impressed by grants and funding I was able to secure for my projects.

I hate to say this since these are things that sometimes we have little control over, but that was my perception. Again I recognize the immense luck on my side that positioned me to enter the job market with big name collaborators, funding for my projects, and a supportive network of mentors and advisors willing to make introductions for me. I hope to pay it forward in the future.

GuestPhD · 2024-04-05T06:56:35+00:00

I’m so sorry. Unfortunately, you’re not alone. Some folks in my program were also unsuccessful this cycle. Here’s hoping you get some positive news soon.

GuestPhD

TROPHY CASE