It’s hard to explain the exhaustion that comes simply from trying to be an excellent mentor to underrepresented students. Mentor=Psychologist, Mom, friend, connector, boss, cheerleader, inspiration, teacher. Do all that, then try to go write that grant.
Not to mention, fixer, support system, advocate, protector, promoter, and textbook.
I have my own #impostersyndrome, #minoritytax, and feelings of intimidation. But just like being a parent, you hide your own fear, and forge ahead hoping for the best.
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Who am I if I’m not a #DevelopmentalBiologist? A (long) thread. Today for #BlackInDevelopmental, I would like to tell you how I got here. I am a #FirstGen college attendee and graduate. I was raised in a single-parent household. We struggled financially when I was growing up. 1/
I know what hunger feels like and have had the lights turned off. I know what it’s like to have holes in the bottom of my shoes from wear. I know what it is to love science. I have been a scientist since childhood. Collecting snails, thinking about how the world works. 2/
In spite of my parents’ inability to help me with schoolwork, I always did really well in school. I actually liked going. Partially for the normalcy it provided, partially for socializing, but mostly because I was curious and I was good at it. 3/
I’m at home dealing with what seems like a regular cold (nasal congestion with occasional sneeze/cough, no fever). I know they won’t test me unless my health fails, but at least I can stay away from people for 2 weeks just in case. Day 7 of mild symptoms, day 4 at home. ☹️
This is to say- the insistence that everyone has to have the same symptoms, and refusal to test people that aren’t in critical condition or rich and famous is going to cause rapid spread because people assume they are “safe”.
My mom is 66, a smoker, her chest burns, feels horrible, runny nose, fatigued, dry coughing for 4 days, and and they won’t test her because she doesn’t have a fever and isn’t in critical condition.
I was sent an anonymous (read cowardly) message my first year as a tenure track professor questioning my choice of institution (PUI). It made me feel bad about getting a job that many PhD’s aspire to, and 3-5% actually get. A thread... (1/4)
Who are these life trolls with nothing better to do? People who feel the need to critique other people’s career trajectories? Are you my program officer? My mentor? A valued friend? No. You’re just some person who didn’t have the courage to speak to me directly. (2/4)
I’m happy to have a conversation with people about my academic and career choices. To tell them my story and explain how I ended up where I did at each point. I have had a great experience at CSUN. My students fight to be there and the professors care that they learn. (3/4)