Dr. Karen Tao is the virtual presenter this week. Please watch this introductory video on the Psychosociocultural Framework, Impostor Phenomenon and Mentor/Stakeholder Interviewing
Preparation
The focus of this week will be on the psychological, social, and cultural factors that influence students' experiences in graduate school. We will discuss ways in which stakeholders - mentors, faculty, peers, and professional relationships - can play a positive role.
Dr. Karen Tao is the virtual facilitator.
Please watch the video at the top of the page.
Class Materials
Research Development
Learning Objectives
Plan a list of people to contact and questions to ask them regarding your research area, as well as career and mentor development
Use tools (Google Scholar, Google, LinkedIn, Scopus and Pivot) to find people to add to your list of people to contact about your research area
Introduction
Your overall objective this week is to identify a list of people you'd like to talk with, and what you'd like to talk with each of them about. This list can be much larger than you can do in this class. For instance, it might include people to talk with the next time you attend a professional conference (virtually or in person). Also identify a few (<10) people you'd like to talk with during this semester. Think about including a variety of people ... peers, near-peers, other academics, industry engineers, people who might use your application (doctors, city planners, etc.), people who sell things similar to your application, etc. This assignment will apply to the research, career, and mentor development this week, so include all of those sorts of questions.
Class Readings / Activities (can be done pre- or post-class)
Refer to last week's assignment on stakeholder identification. Plan to discuss with your research mentor specific people to contact, and questions you might ask them.
Search for Scopus. Find the database (online). Click on that.
!! Matrix MentorinG: You and YOur Academic Community
Learning Objectives
Understand the psychological, social, and cultural influences on your life as a student (Psychosociocultural Framework)
Identify stakeholders who impact your learning and career growth and develop questions to ask them
Learn about the impostor phenomenon and strategies to confront it through mentoring
Introduction
"Who are the people in your neighborhood?" Mr. Fred Rogers taught us a lot as children when he invited us to learn about the people who make up our community. This idea can be applied to the academic context as well. This week we will be focusing on the various stakeholders who might influence your life as a student - what you learn, how you are supported, opportunities for collaboration. We will also learn about the Psychosociocultural Framework (PSC; Gloria & Rodriguez, 2000), which provides a helpful navigational tool for graduate school and beyond. Finally, we talk about the persnickety Impostor Phenomenon, a common experience for many high achieving individuals and what can be done about it. To this end, you will be identifying sources of personal and professional support that you rely on as graduate students. By the end of this class, you will develop some questions for reflection and to ask current and future stakeholders and mentors who are invested in your success.
Based on the video and readings, your post-class assignments are focused on (a) sharing your own reactions to and reflections on the Psychosociocultural framework and the Impostor Phenomenon (b) identify your mentors and stakeholders (current & potential), (c) questions you would like to ask your mentors and stakeholders that will help you become more knowledgeable about your research areas, better versed in your projects and what stakeholders are looking for, and clearer understanding of what to expect in graduate school and beyond. You will be sharing these questions with your mentors before you start stakeholder interviews. You will also be completing a sociogram of support and identify campus resources you find helpful, unhelpful, or unavailable.
Understand the value of conducting informational interviews with people in industry
Learn some helpful interviewing tips to take your skills to the next level
Assess your strengths and weaknesses with respect to interviewing skills
Register for an upcoming STEM Internship & Career Fair Day at the University of Utah and think about how you can use the event for your own career development goals
Continue to develop self-awareness by taking the IDP Values Assessment
Introduction
Informational interviews provide valuable information to help you decide if a particular career is right for you. Informational interviews are your chance to speak with people who are currently working in your field of interest. They are designed to help you gather information about a particular occupation or career, not obtain a job. It is an interview that you initiate and lead. You ask the questions.
Benefits of an information interview:
Explore careers and clarify your career goals
Obtain information about your career field and the skills needed to do the job effectively - skills you still have time todevelop
Discover future internship or employment opportunities
This week, we focus on several concepts that influence students' experiences in graduate school. Specifically, we highlight the psychological, social, and cultural factors that can impact your mentoring relationships, peer interactions, and ability to thrive in a fast-paced academic context. Included under these topics is the Impostor Phenomenon. We hope you will identify strategies for managing feelings/thoughts of self-doubt. Finally, you will begin to workshop questions for stakeholders and mentors that address your current needs and curiosities. No matter what stage you are in your educational path, the goal will be to tailor these questions to fit your needs.
Assignments
Research Development Topic
Include research development questions in your Questions for Stakeholders and Mentors