When I started a graduate program in engineering, there were a lot of things that I didn’t know, and that I was also very shocked about. As some background, I got an undergraduate degree in chemistry from a small liberal arts school where I was the top student in my program. My decision to go to grad school came from my desire to have a higher degree, teach at a university, and from my research experience as an REU student at an R1 institution. When I arrived at grad school, it was not only a rude awakening to the realities of grad school, but also an awakening to how different the R1 environment and culture really is from smaller school. Some may consider that I was “sheltered” or not prepared for the “real lab world” by going to a small school. (I received a lot of criticism from others about my decision to go to a small school. But doesn’t a rant for another day) But I think of it as that I entered school with different expectations of what it would be like and it was a difficult road of learning ahead of me.

A lot of the things I wish I knew before I started grad school relate to the STEM academia culture and the transition from undergrad to grad school. Personally for me, I didn’t experience the huge shock people have when they leave high school and go to college, instead I experienced that same shock when I entered grad school. For me, I went from being the stellar undergrad student who had everything figured out, to the lost grad student who didn’t know what was “normal” and “right” in academia. For me, navigating this world was one of the biggest challenges. Non-academics probably experience similar feelings when they go from undergrad into a full time job.

So to help you navigate the strange world that is STEM academia, here is a list of the things I wish I knew before I started grad school.

Find a Program and Research Culture that Fits your Goals, Values, Personality, and Work Ethic

Go to school with a department that matches your personality, work ethic, and values. Schools and departments vary greatly depending on the culture and people. When considering a research group, advisor, school, and program, think about the things that matter most to you. Which school and people align with your values and goals?

Deciding on a school or research group is less about the ranking of the school or the h-index of the advisor, it’s about what grad school experience is going to be positive and further your goals.

You Don’t have to Overwork Yourself and You Should Take Time for Yourself 

Some people (students and professors alike) believe in the notion you have to overwork yourself to get a degree. If you find the right group of people to surround you, you don’t have to overwork yourself. For the longest time I was shamed and criticized for not working at 6pm or not working weekends or freaking HOLIDAYS. I had a family, a long distance partner, and a personal life. Going into grad school I knew I wanted to have the philosophy of balance, as I did in undergrad. Even though you’re going to probably get pressure from others to be a workaholic, you don’t have to.

Being overworked isn’t something to joke or be proud of. While memes about being overworked and the “lowly grad student” might make you chuckle, but should it make you laugh. Should we joking about being overworked and sad grad students? Sad and mentally unstable grad students are a known problem in academia, look at the suicide rates. The only way to change this culture of overworking, is to make the change in your own work ethic and strive for balance. The overworking 60-80 hour week expectations come from generations of academics who did the same thing and pass it on to their students, but is that a good way to work? Not really, when you go home at the end of the day and feel burnout and sad. 

Work Efficiently

Going off of the last point, you don’t have to get a workaholic if you work efficiently in the lab. Block out your lab time and class times so you can manage your time efficiently. Schedule what you’re going to do each time you’re in the lab so you doesn’t go in and waste time. 

Make the Right Connections 

Like with any job, it’s really important that you create your professional and social circle. Early in your degree program, make connections with other professors, students, and people who you enjoy being around. As you go through your program, you’re going to need to make an advising committee, where you want people who genuinely like you and want you to succeed. All of these people are going to be vital in helping you in your future.

Doesn’t be Intimidated and Fight Imposter Syndrome Early

Like I said before, I was the top student in my undergrad class. Going into grad school, I was among the cream of the crop. And as a woman in engineering specifically, I am a minority. This really intimidating and can drain your confidence. Hence imposter syndrome ignites. As hard as it is to shake these feelings, just know that you got into grad school and you’re there for a reason. You belong here! What you do for yourself and your degree is the only thing that matters. Because let’s face it, everyone in your program is getting a Ph.D. 

Take Advice and Criticism with a Grain of Salt

During my first year as a grad student, I received a lot of unsolicited “advice” which really upset and frustrated me. At first, I look this advice to heart and it really got to me. I had senior students telling me that I wasn’t working long enough hours or that I wasn’t making enough progress. Or they flat out told me I wasn’t doing a good job. While these people might have been genuinely trying to help me, I had to take the advice with a grain of salt. I later came to realize most negative feedback is more of reflection of the other person, not you. I had particular values and wanted to stick with them. I’m not saying doesn’t take advice and be closed-minded, but some advice is destructive, offensive, and just plain unreasonable.

Doesn’t Push Classes to the Side

I also experienced the pressure to put classes on the backburner, especially since my program was very course heavy. To me, courses is where I thrived, but I felt like I couldn’t put in as much time with them because of the lab. Don’t let classes slide, I still regret not putting more time into them, especially since classes are supposed to help with what I did in the lab.

No One can be the “Best Student Ever”

Overcoming this challenge simply comes from becoming a realist and growing up. My whole life, I always strived to be the best and do the best because that’s what I felt like I needed to do for success. I feel like a lot of women were socialized into this mentality too. But either way, this mentality is all wrong, you can’t be the best at everything and you won’t be. Do the best YOU CAN, success will flourish in a way that is best for you. To me accepting this was really challenging and a big bruise to my ego. Striving for being the best not only was on my way to burning me out, but also fueling a lot of internal conflict with how I felt about others. Let go of the internal pressure to be perfect or the best student and do your best work!

By the end of my undergrad program I learned that people I knew who were average in school ended up successful. I’m not saying that you should slack in school and accept less than what you’re capable of. What I’m saying is that if you

Don’t be a Yes Man and Set Boundaries

This is one topic I feel very strongly about. For myself, I experienced people who I felt obligated to say yes to all the time. Partly because I wanted to be the star student and partly because I trusted this person’s judgement and wanted to be reliable and successful. So I felt like I had to do everything so I could learn everything and be the best. (Again, you doesn’t have to be the best!) This ultimately led me down a path of doing work for this person, which ended up being work that wasn’t supposed to be in my job description. Which led to less time in the lab. Learn to say no and set boundaries and doesn’t take on too much. This goes for extra curriculars, extra teaching, extra lab training of junior students.

Make sure You and Your Advisor are on the Same Page from the Beginning

Going off of the last point, set these boundaries and expectations with your advisor. A good advisor will listen. And don’t feel pressure about doing everything. Make sure you and your advisor are on the same page about your goals, career aspirations, and expectations about research.

Still Participate in Extra Curricular Activities 

In undergrad, it’s really common for students to be a part of tons of organizations clubs and activities, but in grad school a lot of people don’t do anything outside of classwork and research. If you want to have a successful resume in the future, get involved in just a few others things on campus like volunteering, mentoring, and leadership positions. These extra curriculars on your resume are going to go a long way when you look for a job.

Don’t Be Afraid Consider Non-lab Jobs 

When a lot of STEM students enter grad school, they either feel like they can work in industry or academia. Well, it’s not that black and white. Today there are tons of jobs that are outside of the lab or school that can be really successful careers. First one, science communication has become a big one, especially in the US. Using social media and the news to communicate good science is important for public policy and the public’s perceptions of science. And who are the best people to talk about science to the public? Scientists who are good at it! Other options include freelance scientific writing, government jobs, consulting, and museum work.

Take Advantage of on Campus Resources 

Like how I was saying that a lot of grad students forget about organizations and extracurriculars? Well, a lot of grad students sometimes forget to take advantage of the campus resources. The library offers tons of seminars on topics like literature review, citation managers, publication, and grant writing (just to name a few!). And career centers offer career fairs, resume reviews, and interviewing practice. All of these free resources are there to help you develop your professional skills

Front Load Your Coursework to the Beginning of Your Program

When I started my graduate program it was recommended to me to only take two courses a semester so I could have time to learn the ropes of the lab. This sounded like a good idea at the beginning, but in reality, I should have added more courses at the start. At the start, I was just shadowing in the lab and reading articles. I actually had more time back then to spend on courses, and I should have! I didn’t know that at the time, but I would highly recommend it!