Why We Host Graduate Student Recruit Week in STEM

As a recent graduate who has just begun their grad school apps, following #GradRecruitWeek from
@YouInTheLab has been super helpful to be able to hear so many different perspectives about this daunting process. So THANK YOU to all who participate!!

I feel constantly overwhelmed and confused about the graduate app process. Especially, being an international student, it is daunting to search for opportunities. #GradRecruitWeek gives a feeling of comfort amidst all this and I really want to thank you for organising this!

I like the polls because they are what I’m thinking about or things I didn’t know I needed to think about [when applying to grad school].

I’m a first gen[eration] student so I appreciate being able to DM and not have to ask a question [directly to the Twitter Hive]. Also, that you DM me the polls so I could follow without having to look for the ones from my questions.

What Undergrads Can Do:

• Ask your burning questions about grad school-we'll turn your DMs into polls.
• Searching for a grad lab? @YouInTheLab w/your interests, science field, MS or PhD, and LinkedIn link. We'll retweet!
• Searching for a job in science? Do the same as above just replace the grad school information with your job aspirations and we'll RT!
• Share your bio information a few times. That program or job you're searching for might not be on twitter when your first tweet goes out. We're happy to share multiple posts!
• Be bold! When you notice a tweet from a professor or department that has details about a position that might be right for you--contact them and tell them you're interested. It can be a little scary but if they are posting on Twitter they are unlikely to be rude when you make contact. A few undergrads told us they found their grad program by doing this last year!We hope it's even more this year.

What PIs and Mentors Can Do:

• Need a grad student? Share the information in a tweet. Include a link to your website or how you want to be contacted.
• Or are you hiring a tech, staff scientist, or other position that requires a BS or MS degree? Post details about the position and contact information.
• Connect directly with undergrads who are searching for a grad degree program or job that matches your available position. Send them a DM or reply to their tweet.
• Share information about your available position a few times. That student or researcher you're searching for might not be on twitter when your first tweet goes out. We're happy to share multiple posts!
• Tag @YouInTheLab and use #GradRecruitWeekSTEM in all posts.

What Departments, Programs, and Administrators Can Do:

• Connect directly with undergrads who share their grad school and job aspirations. Send a DM or reply to their tweet encouraging them to apply to your program!.
• Has your department dropped the GRE Requirement? Do you have fellowships available? Tweet the details and we'll share!
• Tell your faculty about #GradRecruitWeekSTEM. Send them a link to this post so they know we will promote their open grad school AND job openings for positions for those with BS or MS degrees
• Tag @YouInTheLab and use #GradRecruitWeekSTEM in all posts.

What Everyone Can Do:

• Share this event widely to help us reach students from marginalized groups, those with disabilities, first-gens, LGBTQIA+, and anyone interested in grad school.
  Retweet!
• Answer polls, share comments, or DM to remain anonymous.
• Suggest polls on topics.
• Have you written a blog post or created a video that helps demystify the grad search experience? (or even grad school experience?) Tell us! We want to share as many perspectives as we can.
• Do you have an "essential resource" you give to all new hires or grad students or one you used yourself? Maybe it's a how to or social media support site. Share it with us so we can share it with everybody.
• Tag @YouInTheLab and use #GradRecruitWeekSTEM in all posts.

What We Hope To Accomplish:

• Connect undergrads and PIs.
• Help undergrads find open graduate school and job opportunities.
• Demystify some of the grad school application process.
• Create a forum for undergrads to learn others' perspectives about the STEM grad school experience.