Category: Uncategorized

The Waino Wahtera Center for Student Success is interested in learning more about our students who identify as:

• Commuters (students who commuted from a family home during their first year), and/or
• Transfers (students who were enrolled at another two- or four-year institution), and/or
• First-generation (students who are first in their family to attend a four-year institution). 

If one or more of these descriptions describe you, we are inviting you to come in and meet with us to discuss your experience at Michigan Tech thus far.  We want to hear about what you have enjoyed as well as what may have been a challenge for you.Students who participate will receive a $5 beverage gift card as a thank you for taking the time to talk to us. 

If you are willing to come in for a friendly 30-minute chat and share your thoughts, please email success@mtu.edu.

Thank you!  We hope to see you soon!

The staff of the Waino Wahtera Center for Student Success

The application process for the 8th Heidelberg Laureate Forum has begun. The deadline for applications is February 14, 2020!

Young researchers in computer science and mathematics from all over the world can apply for one of the 200 coveted spots to participate in the Heidelberg Laureate Forum (HLF), an annual networking event. The HLF offers all accepted young researchers the great opportunity to personally interact with the laureates of the most prestigious prizes in the fields of mathematics and computer science. For one week, the recipients of the Abel Prize, the ACM A.M. Turing Award, the ACM Prize in Computing, the Fields Medal, and the Nevanlinna Prize engage in a cross-generational scientific dialogue with young researchers in Heidelberg, Germany.

The application period for the 8th HLF closes February 14, 2020. Young researchers at all phases of their careers (undergraduate/pre-master, graduate PhD or postdoc) are encouraged to complete and submit their applications by February 14 (midnight at the dateline) via the following link: https://application.heidelberg-laureate-forum.org/site/index.php

The 8th HLF will take place from September 20-25, 2020. This prominent, versatile event combines scientific, social and outreach activities in a unique atmosphere, fueled by comprehensive exchange and scientific inspiration. Laureate lectures, young researcher workshops and a structure welcoming unfettered discussions are the elements that compose the Forum’s platform.

Over the course of the weeklong conference, young researchers will be given the exclusive possibility to profoundly connect with their scientific role models and find out how the laureates made it to the top of their fields. As described by a young researcher, “It’s a life-changing experience. Getting the opportunity to actually speak to the laureates in close contact can really shape us.”

All applications that are completed and submitted by the deadline are meticulously reviewed by an international committee of experts to ensure that only the most qualified candidates are invited. There are 100 spaces available for each discipline of mathematics and computer science. All applicants will be notified by the end of April 2020 whether or not they will be invited.

For questions regarding requirements and the application process, please contact Young Researchers Relations at: yr@heidelberg-laureate-forum.org

For more information, please visit:

www.heidelberg-laureate-forum.org

PhD students from the United States may apply for travel grants from ORAU. There will be a separate application process after nominees have been confirmed by the Heidelberg Laureate Forum selection committee in April 2020. If selected by HLF’s international committee, PhD students from the United States will be contacted by the ORAU team to discuss the application process for available travel grants.

Please email HLF@orau.org for more information about selection criteria. Travel grants for the Forum offered by ORAU are not guaranteed and are reserved for US PhD students only.  

—
Natasha

Natasha Chopp ’06, ’15, ’17Director of Research Operations and Faculty Liaison  Michigan Technological University
  Vice President for Research
  339 Lakeshore Center  906.487.1115  906.369.2467 (c)  906.487.2245 (f)
nichopp@mtu.eduwww.superiorideas.org

Happy New Year! Our company is in the process of launching a new Industrial AI company, liveline.tech and are looking for some key talent.  I’ve attached three publicly available job calls and some additional, non-published. Please forward them on to anyone you think is a good candidate. 

We are looking for people with some industry experience. 

https://www.ziprecruiter.com/job/b5fec8e3

https://www.ziprecruiter.com/job/32dd1166

https://www.ziprecruiter.com/job/c9b99220  

Please reach out to me atJoseph.Hernandez@cooperstandard.com

Nuclear Engineering Science Laboratory Synthesis (NESLS) Program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Now accepting applications for summer 2020!

Summer 2020 application: https://www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/ORNL-NESLS-SUMMER2020 

(Deadline: February 28, 2020)

About NESLS

The Nuclear Engineering Science Laboratory Synthesis (NESLS) internship program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) provides nuclear engineering research opportunities and associated activities for current undergraduate and graduate students. 

Eligibility

·   Be currently enrolled at an accredited U.S. institution in a nuclear engineering, science, or eligible related degree – OR – a community college student working toward an Associate of Science or Associate of Engineering degree

·  If graduating with a degree before or during the appointment period, must provide proof of continuing education in an accredited degree-seeking program

·  Have a cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

·  Be 18 years or older

·  No citizenship requirement

Benefits

·  Stipend based on academic level and paid on a biweekly schedule

·  $175/week housing allowance (paid with biweekly stipend) and limited travel reimbursement, if eligible

Want to learn more?

For more information, visit the NESLS program website at https://orise.orau.gov/ornl/nesls or contact NESLS@orau.org.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) Robotics Internship Program is a 10-week summer internship program for students majoring in a field related to robotics. The program provides opportunities for high school seniors, undergraduate and graduate students and postgraduates to intern at federal national laboratories throughout the United States.  The EERE Robotics Internship Program is sponsored by the EERE Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO).

Why should I apply?

You will receive:

·  Hands-on experience in development of future robotics technical, engineering, and advanced manufacturing technologies

· Development of professional networks with leading scientists and subject matter experts

·  Identification of career goals and opportunities

·  Stipends:  High school seniors and undergraduate students receive a $600 per week stipend; graduate students and postgraduates receive a $750 per week stipend

·  Housing Allowance: $150 per week for interns whose home location is more than 50 miles from the hosting facility

· Inbound/Outbound Travel Reimbursement: Up to $1,000 to/from assigned location for interns whose home location is more than 50 miles from the hosting facility

Eligibility

·  Be a U.S. citizen

·  Be at least 18 years old by May 1, 2020.

·  Be a high school senior, undergraduate or graduate student, or recent graduate of an accredited institution of higher education majoring in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics discipline related to robotics and/or manufacturing.

How to Apply

Applications and supporting materials must be submitted at

https://www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/EERE-Robotics-2020

Deadline

Application and letters of recommendation are due February 3, 2020, 8:00 AM EST.

For more information

Contact us at robotics.internships@orise.orau.gov.

by Husky Innovate

Aspiring student entrepreneurs and innovators are invited to apply for the Michigan Tech Silicon Valley Experience, a Spring Break immersive tour of California Bay Area companies that includes meetings with entrepreneurs and Michigan Tech alumni who are leaders in their field.

The deadline to apply is Feb. 10. Register online. Up to 16 students will be guaranteed a slot on the trip. Priority will be given to students who have been previously engaged with innovation and entrepreneurship and articulate continued engagement on their application.

Major funding for this trip is provided by the 14 Floors alumni group. Husky Innovate—a collaboration between the Pavlis Honors College, the College of Business, and the Office of Innovation and Commercialization is co-hosting this with 14 Floors.

Silicon Valley is known for its technology breakthroughs, high-tech startups, innovative companies and Fortune 1000 companies. Its innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem including culture, policies, talent, resources, and networks serve as inspiration for students.

The Silicon Valley Experience will showcase multiple perspectives of a day in the life of successful entrepreneurs, innovators, engineers, and business leaders. This tour will provide an interactive opportunity for students to discover more about a variety of industry settings, to sample various innovative corporate cultures through tours and presentations, and to meet and talk with successful alumni entrepreneurs.

Students who apply and are accepted will have the opportunity to:

• Tour companies like Google, Netflix, Hewlett Packard, Facebook, Ford, as well as the former Michigan Tech student startup company Handshake
• Meet with entrepreneurs and innovators
• Talk with Michigan Tech alumni who are leaders in their field
• Get answers to your real-world business, innovation, and leadership questions
• Gain firsthand knowledge of the enterprises that are revolutionizing global business

Lodging, ground transportation to and from toured companies and some food will be covered. Students will be responsible for arranging and paying for their own air travel.

As part of the student application, students will create a 2-minute video describing how they will share their experience with the Michigan Technological University community upon completion of their travel in order to positively contribute to our entrepreneurial ecosystem. Students who have a demonstrated financial need can apply for a limited travel scholarship.

Tomorrow’s Graduate Students and Postdocs

———- 946 words ———-

Yoda Was Wrong: It’s all About Try

Yoda, legendary teacher of Jedi knights, famously said, “Do or do not. There is no try.” This might be beneficial for training Jedi, but it is misleading for doctoral students and postdocs. For you, it is all about “Try.”

The binary “Do or Do not” frames the world in stark contrasts. Succeed or fail. Fly or crash. Blow up the Death Star or die. For us mere mortals, failure is not that consequential.“Do Not.” It’s the decision not to attempt. Choose against testing long odds. Play it safe.

The “Do / Do Not” choice operates for many grad students. When failure seems to be around every corner, when hard work is unlikely to be rewarded, the choice “Do Not” is much easier to make. The high risk of failure acts as a deterrent. Inaction seems prudent.

“Why apply for that Fellowship/job/postdoc? I won’t get it?” “Why offer to run the local Pint of Science festival? I have never done anything like that before. It is sure to be a flop, distract me needlessly from my research, and incur the wrath of my advisor.” “Why apply for a postdoc as a digital humanities specialist? I don’t have all of the skills that they are asking for.”[1]

Trying and failing is the other way to understand “Do Not.”

Try. Despite what Yoda said, that is the other path.

Setbacks are inevitable. Failure instructs. It guides us as we try again.

Full-Hearted Trying

Yoda’s counsel was actually somewhat more nuanced than the iconic quotation suggests. Luke was explaining why he could not do the task Yoda had set before him. “It is different,” he argued. It was not the task he had mastered before, so he couldn’t accomplish it. Yoda shakes his head (as you can see in the video clip). He urges to Luke to commit fully. “Do” is “try” with full commitment.

Graduate students should embrace opportunities with a spirit of full-throttle Try. In this stage, you are shaping yourself. You are learning new skills. You are discovering your proclivities and talents. You are testing your limits. You have permission to take risks and push boundaries. Indeed, you are expected to.

Most of the opportunities that enter your sights within your grasp. (Like Yoda, your mentors offer the achievable.) Success might seem inaccessible, but with confidence and a big jump, you just might reach them. And if you don’t, you made your best effort.

“If I honestly try, push myself and really try hard—whether I succeed or not—I am happy and proud of myself. Far more than I’d be if I never even tried.” Dr. Egle Cekanaviciute shared her philosophy with me. This risk-taking attitude has opened up many new worlds. The words of Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman have become her guide: “You have no responsibility to live up to what other people think you ought to accomplish. I have no responsibility to be like they expect me to be. It’s their mistake, not my failing.”[2]

Embrace Failure

Failure is inherent in Try. When you make a big stretch, and take a big risk, then failure is more likely. It is more common than success.

This requires a shift in attitude. Welcome risk, rather than avoiding it. Recognize that everyone fails. A lot. It is normal. It won’t destroy you or your life. It should not change how you view yourself or your future.

Chutes and Ladders via Flickr Ben Husman under Creative Commons license

Life is not an epic battle, ala the Star Wars saga, it is more like the board game Chutes and Ladders. Sometimes we plod along, sometimes a ladder shoots us forward, and often a chute slides us back. We revisit the same terrain more than once. (Although, unlike the original ancient Indian version of the game, moving forward and backward is not a moral consequence. It is simply part of the journey.)

The recent attention of “CVs of Failure” underscored that we all have more failures than successes. Unfortunately, our efforts and missteps are usually hidden. (I wrote about why grad students should start their own CV of Failure, and provided an outline to get you started.)

Handling failure with grace gets easier with experience. Professional failures are surmountable. Life is a story with many chapters and many possible paths. Failed experiments, failing quals, not getting any of the fellowships or jobs you applied for, or not getting tenure. You can recover from all of them. As my mother is wont to say, “It’s not the end of the world.” Give yourself the minimal time you need to get over a setback. Then get on with it.

It’s Not Only About You

You can’t control everything. There are dozens of exogenous variables that affect the outcome of every situation.

Applying for a job? You can’t determine who the other candidates are. You don’t influence the desires or prejudices of the search committee members. You don’t even know about the competing demands that the Dean is juggling. All of these are out of your hands. (David Perlmutter’s blog post outlines the many reasons why you might not get a job you apply for.)

Your task is to keep trying. Sometimes there are things that you can improve when you try, try, again. Your cover letter is more to the point. Your research has evolved further. Your interview answers are crisper. Control what you can control. Do the best you can. Trust your efforts. And remember that it is not all in your hands.

Another science fiction icon, Captain Jean-Luc Picard, said, “It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness; that is life.”[3]

[1] These latter two examples were the actual experiences of Dr. Egle Cekanaviciute, who ran the 2016 San Francisco Pint of Science, and Dr. Bridget Whearty, who was a CLIR Fellow, 2013-15. Both provided input and inspiration for this blog post.

[2] Richard Feynman, Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!: Adventures of a Curious Character

[3] Star Trek: The New Generation “Peak Performance” written by David Kemper, 1989.

Next summer, Los Alamos National Laboratory will be hosting the 21^st edition of the Los Alamos Dynamics Summer School (LADSS). I have attached a PDF flyer that provides information about the summer school, links to more information on the web, and provides instructions for applying to the summer school. Please note that the program has been expanded to ten weeks.

Please see attached flyer for more information.

2020_LADSS_Flyer (2)