Mattie Eckerstrom, GPC-E
Graduate Programming Coordinator - Elect
MS Student in Chemical Engineering
“Hi everyone! I’m a grad student, and I’m not doing research.”
That’s not a sentence you hear very often, especially in a technical field like engineering. But I am that student. I’m about a month away from completing my MS, and I’m not involved in research. In fact, I never have been. I’m going to tell you why that’s totally okay.
My school offers a 4+1 program, where engineering students can begin taking classes for grad school during their senior year. These students then return to finish their MS degree in one additional year. This program has been great for me for many reasons. By finishing my degree in one year, I’m saving both time and money. By staying at the school where I completed my undergrad, I’m able to focus on my education without worrying about uprooting my life and starting over in a new place.
One key detail about this program: it does not require any research experience. Students can choose to conduct research and defend a thesis (like “traditional” grad school), or they can take a few additional credits of coursework in place of research. I chose the latter option. When I hear my friends and classmates talking about the work they’re doing in lab, or when I see Facebook groups full of grad students talking about their theses, the imposter syndrome kicks in big time. I can’t help but feel that, without research, I’m not a “real” grad student. It seems like every other advanced degree candidate is out there trying to answer some important question, while I’m “just” taking classes. But as I’ve navigated my final year, I’ve come to realize that grad students don’t have to be defined just by the research they’ve done. My educational experience is as valid as anyone else’s, and here’s why:
- Time: Without research to take up time, I’ve been able to devote my time to things that I care about. Not only do I have more time to focus on classes, assignments, and exams (a gift in and of itself), but I can participate in activities I enjoy. I was an active member of my school’s Equestrian Team throughout my undergrad, and am still involved now. I served as Captain of our competitive team during my junior year, and President during my senior year. I am also a part of my school’s Pep Band, of which I was the President for 3 years. These experiences truly enriched, and continue to enrich, my college experience. I also gained valuable leadership experience that I may not have had time for had I been involved in research.
- Other experiences: Doing research isn’t the only way to get experience in a lab or other technical environment. For both semesters of my final year, I have served as a TA for the undergrad lab courses in my department. This includes helping my students with their capstone design projects. I also get to work with a smart, creative, and diverse group of students and faculty on a daily basis. I work with teams to help them answer questions and accomplish common goals. This has taught me lab skills, experimental design, and problem solving as much as any research experience would have.
- Health: As grad students especially, it’s easy to feel like we have to take on every commitment. Like we have to be doing a million things at once or we’ll fall behind. Like we have to do everything if we want to be successful. But it’s important to remember that sometimes, just going to grad school is enough. It’s okay to not be doing everything all the time. Especially in these unprecedented times as the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, you can put yourself first. It’s okay to take a break, to spend your time doing something just because you enjoy it. It’s perfectly fine to only take on what you think you can handle. Research is valuable, but your physical and mental health are even more valuable, and are not worth sacrificing to add another line to your resumé.
There’s a lot of information and support out there for grad students conducting a research project, while those who aren’t doing research are often overlooked. It’s easy to get stuck on the idea that grad students are “expected” to do research, and that to forgo such an experience is to be lazy, to take the easy way out. Of course, research isn’t an option for everyone. Maybe you’re working to pay your way through school and you don’t have the time, or your school doesn’t offer research opportunities in your field. But even if you can do research, you don’t have to. It can be a great experience, but it doesn’t have to be your experience (assuming your program gives you that option, of course). If you are doing research, I support you. But to those of you who aren’t, I support you, too. You and your education are valid with or without research. Getting an advanced degree is an accomplishment, even if your path to earning it doesn’t look like everyone else’s.
