College of Science
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Welcome

Welcome to the College of Science Student Success Scene, a bi-weekly newsletter featuring activities and opportunities especially relevant for science undergraduates. The Science Student Success team is comprised of Terry Ham, International Student Integration and Retention Specialist, Natasha Harris, Associate Director of Science Diversity, Science Diversity, Danielle Sheese, Career Development and Retention Specialist, Laura Starr, Director for Experiential Learning and Student Success, and Connie Kaspar Wise, Associate Director of Science Diversity.
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE GLOBAL DIALOGUES PROGRAM
Attention: College of Science Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors

You are invited to apply for the College of Science Global Dialogues Program.

The program begins January 25, 2021

If you would like to:
  • Add value to your Purdue Degree, by transforming the ways you view yourself & the world.
  • Stand out from the crowd.
  • Improve your cross-cultural communication skills.
Global Dialogues is for you!

Click here to sign up

The 1st dinner meeting is January 25, 2021.
There will be a total of 8 meetings during the semester and they will be held on Mondays from 5:30 - 7:00pm. We are hoping that we will be able to have them in person!

For more information, contact Terry at:   hamt@purdue.edu
WELCOME BACK!
Jandos Scholarship Application
The application process for the Jandos Scholarship is now open through February 1, 2021 click HERE.

To qualify for the Jandos Scholarship, you must be a continuing student in the College of Science; classified as a semester 2 – 6 (number of semesters of attendance at Purdue, not credit count) during the Spring 2021 semester, and have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.

 Scholarship recipients must meet the following requirements to receive the Jandos scholarship:

1. Maintain enrollment in the College of Science at the West Lafayette campus for the 2021-22 academic year.
2. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.
3. Actively participate in both monthly Jandos Scholarship cohort and Women In Science Programs (WISP) meetings, while serving as an engaged WISP mentor for the 2021-22 academic year.
4. Champion diversity efforts within the College of Science.

The Jandos Scholarship is a one-year scholarship award, which is not renewable.
COS Hiring Two Data Assistant Positions
The College of Science Office of Data Management is looking to hire for the position of Data Assistant.  This posting represents two open positions, to begin Spring 2021 and continue thru Summer 2021.  Remote, in-person, and hybrid work options are available for both the Spring and Summer terms.

This position will support the Strategic Data Manager by creating, updating, and modifying administrative reports and dashboards; validating records and reports; collecting and formatting data; and documenting reporting and analysis processes.
 
We are looking for someone who meets the following criteria:
  • Solid logical reasoning and analytical skills
  • Detail-oriented, meticulous, and accurate
  • Able to maintain security of sensitive data
  • Proficient in the Microsoft Office suite, expertise in Excel
Preferred Qualifications
  • Familiar with Purdue’s undergraduate science programs
  • Experience with R and R Studio (particularly data cleaning and manipulation)
  • Working knowledge of Tableau or experience in data visualization
  • Preference will be given to candidates with availability to continue into academic year 2021-22.
This is a part-time position working as needed 7 to 10 hours per week during the academic year (additional summer hours available and negotiable).  Starting salary is $10 per hour.
 
If interested, please email résumé and Spring 2021 availability to Kendal Kosta-Mikel, sciencedata@purdue.edu.
Career Specialist
The CoS Career Specialist Is Available To Help You

Make an appointment through the Boiler Connect system by choosing the following
  • Care Unit: Career / Preprofessional Advising
  • Service: College of Science Career Specialist
  • Reason: Select from Choices
  • Location: CoS Career Services (Virtual)
  • Name: Danielle Sheese
Once an appointment is made a virtual meeting will be set-up.  If you have issues scheduling, please call 765-494-1771 and the receptionist will assist you. 
What Services Does the Career Development Specialist Provide?

  • Career counseling appointments
  • Customized career planning (holistic approach to student marketability at graduation-how do students set themselves apart from other students?)
  • Choosing a major/career path
  • Career assessment interpretation
  • Discover what students can do with their major
  • Discussion of interviewing strategies/mock interviewing & preparation 
  • Job/internship searching-targeted resources
  • Presentations and workshops specifically tailored for College of Science students
  • Networking opportunities with College of Science alumni including (Coffee & Conversation events and SCI 490 Course “Dean’s Leadership Forum”)
  • And more (including website-https://www.purdue.edu/science/careers) 

HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR CAREER DEVELOPMENT DURING COVID-19

In this strange and uncertain situation, you might find yourself with less structure to your days and more time on your hands. Classes have gone remote, campus events and activities cancelled, and in-person social interactions drastically decreased. During these times, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and debilitated by all the changes… or to view this as Spring Break 2.0: Self-Quarantine Edition. Try not to fall into either trap and, instead, see this as an opportunity to improve yourself and make progress toward your career goals.

Here are six ways you can make the most of this time and maximize your career development:

1. Update your resume. Your resume is typically your first introduction and key opportunity to convince employers that they should interview you. Yet, you have a limited amount of time to make an impression, with employers spending only about six seconds reviewing a resume before deciding if a candidate is a good fit or not. Many companies also use Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software to screen resumes, passing off only the top candidates to actual human recruiters.

For all of these reasons, it is essential that you make your resume the best it can be—and now is a great time to do it. Identify your personal brand and strongest selling points. Highlight your unique accomplishments and transferrable skills. Optimize your resume with keywords and customize it each time you apply to a different position or company.

2. Create a professional online presence (and clean up your personal social media accounts). As part of the hiring process today, many employers check a candidate’s online presence to learn more about them. This may be even more prevalent in the COVID-19 climate with employers having limited access to candidates in person. Take this opportunity to establish a professional online brand that you would be proud for prospective employers to see. Google yourself and clean up any inappropriate or questionable content. Create a LinkedIn profile, if you don’t already have one. Depending on your industry, you might also consider developing a digital portfolio or a website to showcase your work.

3. Build new skills. In today’s digital age, it’s possible to learn almost anything through the internet. Use your extra time at home to build new skills that can get you ahead in your career. Study a foreign language or learn a new technical skill. Read a book or listen to a podcast related to your industry of interest. Complete an online certificate program or join a professional organization. There is so much to learn, and there are so many great skill-building resources out there. This is your chance to take advantage.

4. Practice virtual interviewing. In the wake of COVID-19, many companies have changed recruiting strategies to reduce or eliminate in-person interactions. For job seekers, this means virtual interviews—so be prepared to take your next interview digitally. Choose an at-home interview space and check your technology. Research the company, practice commonly asked questions by webcam, and send a thank you email afterward. Through all of this, try to be patient if it takes employers longer than usual to get back to you. With the move to remote work and unexpected organizational changes, there may be delays in the hiring process.

5. Cultivate your professional network. Social distancing doesn’t mean that you have to put networking on hold. In fact, this might be an ideal time to cultivate professional relationships, with most people having extra time at home and a need to interact with others.

Modern technology makes this easy too. Use email or LinkedIn to reach out to professionals in industries and roles of interest. Ask them to set up a virtual meeting or phone call to learn more about their experiences and get advice. Embrace the sense of community by participating in an online forum or joining in the chat during a webinar. Don’t forget about existing connections either. COVID-19 is a shared global experience, so this is your chance to check in with the people you know and re-establish old connections.

6. Get help from your career center. You don’t have to do this alone! Although not physically on campus, your school’s career center staff is available to support you remotely.

Take advantage of online resources, virtual appointments, workshops, and digital networking opportunities. Whether you’re exploring academic majors, looking for an internship, or getting ready for life after graduation—your career center is here to help and can provide guidance specific to your goals as well as the current situation.

With the uncertain economic state, it is important that you use this time to maximize your career readiness and make yourself as marketable as possible. While it is true that some industries have slowed down hiring, others have not and may even have an increased demand for talent in the wake of COVID-19.

So, stay hopeful, wash your hands, and try out these six ways to make progress toward your career goals.

Katharine Marianacci is the associate director and engineering career coach at Lehigh University’s Career Center. She put this list together at the request of faculty.
 
Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
Self-Directed Career Resource Guide
(Click Image to View Guide)
BOOST YOUR RESUME—LEARN BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Plan your 2021 beyond-the-classroom activities now!  Explore opportunities in the Career and Professional Development, Service, Citizenship, and Leadership, and Diversity categories.  Test yourself in the real world!

Do you need financial support to pursue an experiential learning activity?  Are you going to a conference? Studying abroad? Doing community service? Apply for an LBC grant.  For details on the application process: Click Here

May 2021 graduates: remember that you must have completed the program by the end of January 2021 in order to earn the LBC certificate.

If you have submitted a report, check and see if you have been asked to supply more information.  If you find that you have received “0” points on a report, click on your score and you will see what questions you have been asked to answer.  Resubmit your report with the required information so that your LBC points can be updated.

Not enrolled in Learning Beyond the Classroom (LBC)? Enroll today! Click Here

If you have questions, contact LBC at   lbc@purdue.edu

For more information and to enroll, CLICK HERE


Study Away this Summer
Campus Events
Spring 2021 Virtual Research Roundtable
Undergraduate Research Conference Spring 2021
Online Undergrad Research Courses Spring 2021
The OUR provides online courses for those who are interested in research (GS19501/ILS180), researchers currently working on projects (GS29501/ILS280 and GS39501/ILS380), and juniors or seniors thinking about pursuing graduate or professional school programs (GS49501/ILS480). Find the syllabi of the courses on Course Insights. Half-semester courses for the first two courses are available. All courses have an online-student option.

For more information click HERE.
Summer STEM Institute (SSI)

The Summer STEM Institute (SSI) is a virtual education program that teaches programming, data science, and research. SSI is currently hiring for both part-time and full-time roles for summer 2021. Both roles offer competitive compensation.

Role 1: Part-Time Research Mentor (10-15 hours/week):
  • Responsibilities: Lead a virtual lab of 2-3 students; mentor students through the ideation and completion of their own computational or theoretical research projects; support students through the creation of weekly research deliverables, including a background research report, a research proposal, and a final paper and presentation
  • Qualifications: Passion for teaching and mentorship; graduate student, postdoctoral fellow, or (in exceptional circumstances) undergraduate with extensive programming or research experience in a computational or theoretical field; past research experiences and deliverables, including published papers and presentations
  • Note: Research mentors are able to work for the program alongside full-time job, internship, or research commitments.


Role 2: Full-Time Teaching Fellow (40 hours/week): 
  • Responsibilities: Teach and work closely to support students through the data science and research boot camp, answer student questions and discussion board posts; host office hours; leave feedback on student homework assignments
  • Qualifications: Passion for teaching and mentorship; experience with Python programming and data science libraries (numpy, pandas, matplotlib, sklearn); experience with data science and the research process

If you are interested, please fill out this 2-minute interest form. If we decide to move forward with your application, we will send more information about the roles and also times to schedule an interview. If you have any questions, please reach out to hiring@summersteminstitute.org.
JCPenney Suit-Up Online Event 

Spring 2021 Purdue JCPenney Suit-Up Online Event January 24 – 30, 2021.   A coupon is required to take advantage of an extra 30% off on select merchandise and it can be used either online or in-store.  If you prefer to wait to use your coupon, it will be valid for a one-time purchase January 14 – May 2, 2021.