Panelists share wisdom on life during and after grad school
University of Maryland faculty members and postdoctoral associates share insight on life during and after graduation with students at the “Paying it Forward Panel.” From left to right, there is Dr. Ollie Jefferson, Dr. Candace Moore, Dr. Marccus Hendricks, Dr. Jasmón Bailey, and Dr. James Butler III. (Jaime Williams/The Black Explosion)
During the “Paying it Forward” panel, University of Maryland faculty members and postdoctoral associates of color gave students insight into life during and after graduate school.
The Black Graduate Student Union created this event for graduate students to have an event where they can relate to the topic, while in a safe space, said public health master’s student, Brianna Aldridge.
A common thread amongst the speakers were their accomplishments. All of them have received doctorates in their fields and work within academia at UMD.
Among the panelists were Dr. Ollie Jefferson, Dr. Candace Moore, Dr. Marccus Hendricks, Dr. Jasmón Bailey and Dr. James Butler III.
The session was moderated by assistant professor for the School of Public Health, Jennifer Roberts.
In order, Roberts asked four questions: how do you think your graduate career has prepared you for the next part of your career; what kept you pushing through your graduate program; what are some strategies you employ to keep a work-life balance and your sanity; and discuss your experiences as a Black academic in the academy.
Many of their answers were met with laughs and nods of agreement from the audience.
Dr. Jasmón Bailey, postdoctoral associate for the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences said, “being exposed to [many] differences in predominantly white spaces has helped me propel to be here today.”
“Everything happens for a reason and just because you can’t control a situation doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t have that situation,” said Bailey.
Dr. Candace Moore, associate clinical professor for the Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education said that, you’ve made the choice to be a part of your program, you’ve made the choice to place things aside in your life to be successful in what you are doing, you have agency in your process, so “you want to advocate for yourself to have time to think while in graduate school.”
She claims that such development will help students prepare for any schooling or career they take on.
“You have to have enough faith and confidence that this is where you’re supposed to be [and] this is what you are called to do during this time and season,” said Dr. Ollie Jefferson, lecturer and visiting assistant professor in the Department of Communication.
All of the panelists agreed that students should find what helps them feel balanced and sane while in graduate school and in their career. They said factors that might help include being around people who look like you, having alone time, having a group of academic friends and more.
“When you take yourself too seriously and you feel like you can’t let your hair down occasionally...it’ll cut you in half in terms of your academic life expectancy because you’ll burn out,” said Dr. Marccus Hendricks, assistant professor for the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation.
The panelists all agreed that working in the real world as a person of color can be difficult, but it’s a challenge students should be ready for. “It’s rough out here in these streets,” Hendricks said.
“Sometimes you have to shoulder the burden of [having to] push through...this is your seat, this your time…[and] it is important for you to do the work,” Moore said.
She wanted everyone to know that representation matters, and you never know how your face and your resistance can change someone else’s life.
“With every challenge, there is also an opportunity for you to demonstrate excellence,” said Jefferson.
“It’s important that you empower yourself, especially when you are in an environment where you cannot be empowered…[so] do not judge your standards by expectations you were not destined to meet,” said Bailey.
After the discussion, students were able to network with the panelists.
Dominique Young, a doctoral candidate in the Department of English, said that the panel helped her realize that her struggle is not unique and that she’s not alone.
Young said there are spaces at UMD that can help determine whether or not you want to give up or keep going and students need to be informed these spaces exist.
“There is community even if I don’t see it,” Young said.
“Keep the faith [and] definitely continue to forge and continue the relationships you have with professors, mentors [and] colleagues. These people have also gone through the process and they will be able to give you advice on the in-between stage of graduating and securing your career,” she said.