College Advice for Younger Olympians

[Benewcomb]

I have a question. It’s my first year in SciOly competition, specificly p and p, disease detectives, and mystery architect. What am I expected to know?

[NeilMehta]

I have a question. It’s my first year in SciOly competition, specificly p and p, disease detectives, and mystery architect. What am I expected to know?

Although this is a very good question, it would be recommend it to move the question to the appropriate threads:
viewtopic.php?f=265&t=10854 - disease detectives
viewtopic.php?f=264&t=10871 - potions and poisons
viewtopic.php?f=264&t=10869 - mystery architecture
In addition, these threads could potentially contain answers to your question already

[windu34]

I’m sure you’re used to hearing this and will probably roll your eyes, but it’s so important. College is a commitment. It’s where you lay the groundwork for your future. I’m sure the social aspect of it, as well as the free time, can sometimes be tempting, but do not brush aside your schoolwork in favor of these things. No future employer wants an employee who majored in laziness. Earn those good grades, pad your resume and show the world why they should love you as much as I do.

Your future employers absolutely care about much more than just grades, in fact besides for applying to graduate or professional school, no one will care much more about grades than they do about how else you spend your time and what other skills you've acquired. Obviously you should still focus hard on school since you're paying for an education, but you shouldn't just bunker down in your room and study 24/7 to get that 4.0 when there are other, possibly healthier, ways to be spending your time. I know that post was just made to sell a product, but it's important for younger students to realize that there ARE more important things than just grades. Join some clubs/organizations, reach out and make connections in your community, and take some time for yourself to de-stress and don't let work get overwhelming(probably the most important, your health is 100% more important than your GPA.) Pick a college that's right for you socially and not just one that you're attending for the name but doesn't fit you.

Seconded

[SPP SciO]

Will chime in having been through college and enough years afterwards to appreciate what it all meant -

1. As important as choosing a college is choosing appropriate role models. I think we’re taught to “follow our dreams” and “be who you want to be” which can lead to fantastical thinking and broken hearts. Find an adult whose life and work you admire, and work backwards from there.

2. If you’ve lived a relatively isolated life (hard not to in the first 18 years) try your best to really keep an open mind, and take risks, jump at opportunities. You may be on a mission to become a neurosurgeon since 3rd grade, but if one archaeology class tries to change your life, let it!

3.* Teaching is a super fun career choice you can do with nearly any degree, so don’t worry if things don’t pan out - you may luck into being a science teacher one day!

* this is of course not necessarily universal. Just for context I originally went to Boston University on a full scholarship through NROTC, quit the program after two years, transferred to community college and ultimately Stony Brook, where I got combined degrees in earth sci and education. Happy to answer any rotc questions if anyone is considering that route.

[cool hand luke]

My point of view

I'm a mid career engineer that manages a group of about 15 engineers of various discplines at a large specialty chemicals plant.

Not to bash on IVY league schools, they are great, but they are also expensive.

What do you want to do with your life? If you want to be a professor, or cutting edge researcher, then maybe the ivy leagues, Stanford, etc are worth it.

What I would suggest instead is targeting an industry, and finding where that indursty hires from.

For example tech companies, or something in the bio or petro realms. These pay way more for engineers than most other industries. My company recruits from over 25 universities, not one is in that upper echelon. We go to the big state universities and then target the very top of the class there.

If you want info on a career in engineering, PM me and I can answer questions.