The same month when Joe Akin was set to defend his PhD dissertation in Boston, his grandmother was to be honored on her 100th birthday in Oklahoma. Akin really wanted to be there, but didn’t see how he could manage the time or finances to make the trip possible. His brother wisely reminded him there was no way he was not coming, and together they managed to get Akin there to witness the ceremonial presentation of a Cherokee communal handsewn quilt to his grandmother. 

Former high school dropout Christopher Villarruel is about to graduate with a BS in forest hydrology. He gives a lot of credit for his personal turnaround to the grandmother who raised him. “My grandmother, Lillian Lego, was a very strong woman,”hes ays.“She was Ajumawiand Atsuge on her mother’s side and Madesi on her father’s side. She raised many of us grandchildren, and some of my first cousins are just like my siblings.” 

At some point in your professional career, there’s a good chance you’ll be giving a presentation. For some professionals, this is a common occurrence; for others, it’s something that happens relatively infrequently. But whether you’ve given five presentations — or 500 — there are certain skills you need to have. Here are a few tips to make your next presentation the best yet.

Have you ever looked at a student who’s known for getting As and wondered, “How do they do it?” When you’re not the A student — but you’re trying to be — every little insight can help. Top students don’t just inherently know everything, they’ve also refined their study skills and know how to use their time effectively. The best part is, you can learn the same study habits they use to get those straight As!

As working professionals, we would be hard pressed to find jobs that don’t require some form of teamwork. Instead, working on teams — both large and small — has become an integral part of workplace culture. And while some of us find it easy to be a strong team member, for others — such as introverts — it can be a struggle. Thankfully, being a strong team member just takes practice.

Science fair season is here! It’s a time when you can get creative, delve into a project you’re passionate about, and test your nerves while you talk to the judges. Here are some tips to help you be not just prepared — but ready to knock it out of the park.

The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) is a non-profit organization committed to significantly increasing Indigenous representation among science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education programs and career paths all across North America. This people group, due to many extenuating factors, has historically been on the outside looking in when it comes to STEM initiatives.

If you’ve gone on any interviews recently, you may have noticed a change in the way questions are asked. No longer are the questions simply “what are your strengths and weaknesses?” Now many interviews begin along the lines of “tell me about a time when…” Whether you’ve already experienced the second type of questions or are just learning about them, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter them in a future interview.

College is a time for exploring new opportunities, meeting new people, and learning about new ideas. It’s also a time to start creating connections with people who can provide you with the support and guidance you need to move toward your ultimate career goals. Experienced and trusted advisors — or mentors — can be hard to find, but they are invaluable resources. Here are some ways to find the right mentor and make the most of the relationship.

Many people hate networking — myself included. I find it difficult, anxiety provoking, and stress inducing. If you’re like me, there are a hundred other things you’d rather be doing, but that doesn’t mean networking isn’t an important skill. While it may never become something you love, approaching strangers can become something you can do with relative ease. Here are a few things to remember as you learn to network like a pro.

It Doesn’t Have to Be Face to Face