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UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON SYMPOSIUM:
A Good Answer to a Good Question
After Freeman Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, delivered the keynote address at the University of Washington (UW) symposium, he took questions from participants. One of the first hands that shot up was that of a third-year UW student.
QUESTION:
As a woman and a student of color, what can I do to become a better student in science or to overcome barriers?
ANSWER
It is good that you are here, with lots of scientists, seeing how they think.
- Find an academic support group with whom you work.
- Get beyond your comfort zone.
- Find someone better prepared and connect with him or her.
- Be positive and assertive with your professors if you need help.
- Audit and retake a course—you need to get at least B's.
- Make sure you get into a lab, doing a sustained research experience of 1-2 years and working on the same problems.
- Don't let anyone else define or limit you.
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