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Decide which school for attendance
Whatever school you attend in your undergraduate, there a much higher likelyhood of being accepted into a doctoral program by that same school. So, this choice can be impactful. -
Connections and networking w/ professors
Meaningful and sustained communications with professor means an outlet into the workforce and research opportunities, as well as academic resources -
Keeping tabs on complexities
Making mental or written notes of some complex questions asked from the combinations of my courses could mean for a greater brainstorm when it comes to a thesis/research topic. -
GPA
I come from a poor family, and if I screw up in college academically, there is no back-up for me (in a socio-economic context). -
Relevant courses
Working on weak points by taking introductory/refresher courses while it is cheap/free at Ivy Tech -
Apply to transfer
Having a back-up plan if anything falls through here -- working within the Biology TSAP program at Ivy Tech -
Math
Brushing up on rusty math abilities while there's still availability for assistance. -
Period: to
Undergraduate
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Teaching experience opportunities
Looking into clubs, part-time jobs, work-studies, or TA positions that allow a beginning look into the world of teaching -
Relevant experience
When it comes to the environmental field, the specifics of your education tend to be overshadowed by the importance of your relevant experience. Breaks are the best time to utilize and make time for "resume buffs". -
Research positions
"Resume buffs". -
Publication experience
Refining writing skills -
Friends in the field!
Making connections to the people who care about the same interests as me -
Abroad experience
More resume "buffs", but moreso an opportunity to explore environmental research opportunities. -
Employment opportunities
Buffing out relevant experience, exploring possible topics of interest for research, saving up for grad. school, refining skills. Seeing other avenues! -
Wiggle room
This is the time for employment/saving/assessing which schools offer the best benefits for their doctoral program. Internships, seeing the world of opportunities. -
Study for the GRE
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Graduate!
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Apply to graduate programs
Assess which programs are most tailored to my needs, goals, and offers the most benefits. -
Working in the field
There's a variety of jobs out there -- conservation/restorative corps, wildlife biology, consultations, etc. There's the capacity to change paths! -
Period: to
Graduate
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Begin graduate program
Assuming a master's program here. -
TA
Teaching experience, honing skills to be an effective educator -
Strengthening relationships with professors
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Decide on specialization
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Calculate out student loans/debt
This hinges upon scholarships, doctoral funding, cost of living, and possible cost of moving -
Research!
Finding the lab workhands, the funding, and everything else that goes into the lab -
Publishing research
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Write Master's thesis based in research
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Graduate!
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Apply for college-level teaching positions
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Weigh the pros and cons of a post-doc