This topic is close to my heart, because as a Ph.D. Candidate these are the crossroads that I currently find myself at. I've done a little research to save you the time, dear reader, and help you on your journey. However, lest I remind you that I am but a lowly Ph.D. Candidate, my unsolicited … Continue reading Claiming Your Expertise: How to Choose a Dissertation Topic
Want to Change the World? Just Show Up.
It's so dastardly simple that it's also a bit hard to accept as an answer. But so much of what we need to do in life can be boiled down to just showing up. Bringing all of your attention, heart, and body into the space where you're working. Relationships, presentations, acts of service would all … Continue reading Want to Change the World? Just Show Up.
How I Got Into Stanford…I Think
This is the age-old question that I ask myself and constantly gets asked of me. I would like to believe that it was my strategic foresight, research and leadership experiences, and all of my ambition. And while that may be part of the story--a large part--it it still far from complete. When I originally wrote … Continue reading How I Got Into Stanford…I Think
F.U.B.U. Advice to Demystify Grad School
CONGRATULATIONS on deciding to pursue a graduate degree at (INSERT name of your dream graduate program here). We are so looking forward to having you here to (INSERT project/idea that you believe deep down will fundamentally change the world). There are a few things you should know to get started with the waterboarding--whoops! We meant … Continue reading F.U.B.U. Advice to Demystify Grad School
(TBT) D183: Rethinking the Need for More Mentors
Though unofficial, there are a handful of people I go to for advice but very few (that I know of) that are willing to shift their weight around to help me get something. I recognize now that it's not new mentors I need, now I need sponsors, advocates, people with power who can speak up … Continue reading (TBT) D183: Rethinking the Need for More Mentors
New Year. New Attitude. New ME.
The first day of fall '16 quarter (yesterday September 26, 2016) was a beautiful day on campus. Bright eyed and bushy tailed freshmen and first years hustled and bustled to classes and learned just what a quarter system is all about. I cannot believe that the year has passed by so quickly--though going through it … Continue reading New Year. New Attitude. New ME.
POEM. Open letter on behalf of Brock Turner’s “20 minutes of action”
*In a June 2016 letter to the judge, Dan Turner, father of rapist, Brock Turner, wrote: “His life will never be the one he dreamed about and worked so hard to achieve...He’d never even expressed violence before the incident in question...That is a steep price to pay for 20 minutes of action. Out of his … Continue reading POEM. Open letter on behalf of Brock Turner’s “20 minutes of action”
D282: Just Keep Swimming (Recognizing the Strength in Consistency)
Today marks ~3 weeks since I completed my first year of graduate school, putting me an entire academic year closer to earning a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering. I wanted to post this on my last day of school since I started blogging on the first day—but I was exhausted. I mean completely wiped out. This … Continue reading D282: Just Keep Swimming (Recognizing the Strength in Consistency)
D217: How Beyoncé’s Lemonade Motivated Me to Keep Pushing
I have to be honest: 1) 2016 has already earned its place as the most challenging year of my life (I can't believe it's only April) and 2) I've never been a die-hard, know all the words, go to all the concerts, Beyoncé fan, and quite frankly I'm still not. But I have the utmost … Continue reading D217: How Beyoncé’s Lemonade Motivated Me to Keep Pushing
D176: Asking for Help So You Actually Get It
The secret? Simply ask for what you want. Yeah…that’s it. It’s actually one of the few things we must rely on since mind reading is still generally unavailable. Sometimes, we’re so afraid of being a burden to others that we shoulder the weight all by ourselves. However, asking for help is a sign of strength … Continue reading D176: Asking for Help So You Actually Get It
