Professional Development

An important goal of IDEALS II is to enrich the educational experience of the students.

To this end IDEALS provides participants with the following opportunities:

  1. Research and Leadership training for Graduate Students and Postdocs
    1. Mentoring for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), led by Co-PI Kretzschmar
    2. Research presentations in professional conferences and publications in high profile journals.

  2. Co-mentoring of Graduate Students.
    1. Each student is assigned two mentors that enhance opportunities and develop career objectives.
    2. Criteria are established for selection of mentors based on the research plans of the students.

  3. Graduate Student Success Network (GSSN). A student led forum established in IDEALS-I that allows graduate students to play a more active role in developing career goals and paths. Co-PI Lopez serves as faculty liaison.

  4. IDEALS Student Led Newsletter. A student led newsletter that:
    1. Highlights achievements of IDEALS students and faculty
    2. Promotes the dissemination of information. IDEALS II co-PI Gayen and IDEALS faculty Tu will guide this effort.

  5. Student involvement in outreach activities. Examples include:
    1. Participation in the ASRC high school Field Trip Program.
    2. Joining the existing partnership with the National Society for Black Physicists (NSBP) to tutor middle and high school students from NYC schools in math and science courses.

  6. Mini-Workshops. A series of mini-workshops for professional development are offered. All students will take W1 and a second workshop of their choice:
    1. Development of e-Portfolios. Students and postdocs will: a) establish a career plan that is revised at least twice during the student's tenure; b) respond to a series of prompts (career objectives, program goals, etc.) and c) write a resume or CV.
    2. Effective Communication. Provide training about three levels of learning and communication relevant to scientists. Level 1 addresses communication within the field of specialty of the student; Level 2 includes communication to a professional community but not one trained in the specifics of the student's research project. Level 3 involves communication to the public at large, regardless of education level. We collaborate with Dr. Pamela Mills of Lehman College who leads these activities at the CUNY Graduate Center. IDEALS faculty McGregor leads the effort
    3. Career Planning. Conscious career planning, including knowledge of the work environment and one's own strengths and weakness, to increase resilience and success in the professional environment.
    4. Modern Teaching Pedagogy. IDEALS faculty McGregor will adapt her existing professional development program for teachers and instructors of chemistry into a two-day workshop for the IDEALS students.

  7. Student Placement after Graduation
    1. Internships and Industry Job Placement. Partnerships with industry and National Labs provide opportunities for the placement of students as interns during part of their graduate study, sometimes providing a pipeline for permanent employment. Industry affiliates of the New York State funded ASRC Sensor Center for Advanced Technology (CAT), led by IDEALS faculty Ulijn, provides industry experience opportunities for interested students.
    2. Innovation, entrepreneurship and intellectual property. The CUNY Sensor CAT provides entrepreneurship training opportunities. The CAT trains students in these areas.
    3. Exploring career opportunities. A series of professional development seminars are provided that present the students with career paths and directions that may be available to them. Among these, we will emphasize a better awareness and preparation for academic careers.
    4. Students are encouraged to pursue special postdoctoral opportunities such as the NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (PRF) or postdoctoral programs of the NRC that position graduates favorably for competing for academic posts.