Long before Dr. Josiah Hester became a tenure track professor in Northwestern University’s Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science, his parents taught him to understand the connection between computing and a secure life. “My parents saw that computing generally is your ticket,” says Dr. Hester, Native Hawaiian (Kānaka maoli), who remembers how his mom and dad started him learning the Java programing language.

These days, any discussion of electricity inevitably turns to energy generated by the sun. In fact, according to a recent report by the Solar Energy Industries Association, nearly 60 percent of all new electric generation added in the U.S. during the first quarter of 2021 was solar — and forecasts are that the mainstreaming of solar energy will only accelerate.

In some of Dr. Crystal Tulley-Cordova’s earliest memories, water is a prominent feature. She vividly recalls the silver basin — which looked to her like an oversized teapot — that her grandmother used to heat bathwater on the stove. It’s a pleasant memory, but one also laced with recollections of what a struggle it was to obtain clean water for bathing and drinking. “I have memories of how my family traveled over dirt roads to get water for our daily needs,” she says. 

Whew! You’ve just finished another interview, and you’re hoping to hear back soon. You constantly check your email and phone, but nothing comes through. As the days go by and you don’t hear anything, you wonder what your status is. You contact the company. If you’re lucky, you hear back right away. If not, you’re just left wondering. So what can you do when you aren’t hearing back from prospective employers? 

You’ve landed a job interview … Now what? Think of it as a mission you have to plan and prepare for, then practice until you’re ready. According to the employment screening company JDP, 70 percent of job applicants practice their interview responses out loud. Taking the time to run through potential answers is one of the best ways to be ready for an interview. 

Even before the pandemic hit, more and more employers were allowing staff to work from home, at least occasionally. Working remotely can allow greater flexibility to set your own schedule, reduce commute time, and focus on work with minimal distractions. But don’t get too comfortable — working at home shouldn’t entail balancing your laptop while you relax on the couch. Instead, you’ll want to set up a home office designed to enable you to work comfortably, effectively, and with minimal distractions. Here are a few ways to make sure you can be productive at home.

All the companies on the Winds of Change Top 50 Workplaces for Indigenous STEM Professionals list are strong supporters of diversity. But what are these workplaces doing that sets them apart? Here, we’ve taken a closer look at three of these employers to highlight some of the ways they foster an inclusive climate at work and the initiatives they have put in place to support individual staff members.

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. 

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.

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.