Advice: Introduction from Vicki Haddix '97

WiSE first thought of this booklet in the fall of '96. We had seen something similar done by other schools and the steering committee thought it would be a great addition to the WiSE program and Brown in general. WiSE as an organization works to provide support to women in science and encourage women to meet their goals as scientists. We also work to increase interaction between students and faculty and initiate discussion on creating gender equity in classrooms. The goal of this booklet is to get women to talk to their professors. When women have mentors and sources of support, confidence is higher and it creates an environment where science education can flourish.

This guide has more advice from professors than students, which wasn't intentional. It was just a consequence of the fact that it was mostly compiled in the summer and it is easier to corner professors in their office for ten minutes than it is to stop everyone on the Main Green who looks like they could be a woman in science and ask them for words of advice. Also, many professors are used to giving advice to students and can speak at length about relevant topics. Since I envision this booklet as a first edition, I am hopeful that the next edition will be compiled during the school year and be able to include more student advice.

I have to say that the most valuable thing I learned while putting together this booklet is to not be afraid to talk to faculty and deans. If they don't answer emails or letters, it's often because they got busy and forgot, not because they don't support you. Be persistent, and once you find them, they will be full of wonderful advice and support. My hope is that undergraduates who read this booklet will learn the same thing I did, preferably before graduating and without having to compile their own booklet.

Thank you's should go out to more people than I have room to mention, but there are some very notable people: Beverly Skillings, the WiSE Program Coordinator, made my job easy, or at least do-able and enjoyable. Savita Srivastava-a WiSE coordinator from last year, got the ball rolling on this project. Ali, my roommate for the summer, helped me brainstorm and put up with me talking incessantly about this project. Shakira, my roommate from last summer, was there to listen to me babble and help edit poor grammar. Lani, my other Brown roommate, gave me lots of ideas and support and people to contact and was just overall wonderful. Jason, who has never been my roommate but did live down the hall from me, came through and did wonderful graphics on very short notice. Marc is always my inspiration and a wonderful source of strength and support. And of course, special thanks to the contributors who made this booklet a reality by sharing their thoughts and experiences.

Vicki Haddix '97

Departmental Info
Introductory Classes and Grading Options
Getting to know your Faculty and Deans
Research
Advice about Study Habits
Comments for Women
Bonus Encouragements and Advice
Problem Sets 101
Contact Info