Graduate programs from across the state and the nation will host online sessions this month to meet and recruit talented IM体育官网 students for their programs.
A bachelor鈥檚 degree from IM体育官网 positions students to succeed in many of today鈥檚 fastest-growing fields. However, many students have dreams that only a master鈥檚 degree or a Ph.D. can help them achieve.
IM体育官网 Poly undergraduates will have an opportunity to explore some of the options available to them this month during a series of with graduate schools from around the state and across the country.
鈥淥ur students excel in graduate school environments because of the rigorous, relevant academic training they receive at IM体育官网 Poly,鈥� said Dr. Ben Matthew Corpus, the University鈥檚 vice provost for enrollment. 鈥淪tudents who earn a master鈥檚 degree or Ph.D. are extremely marketable and able to secure positions with top industry leaders and in academia.鈥�
James Nance 鈥�18 knows firsthand about the potential that awaits those who pursue an advanced degree. While studying mechanical and industrial engineering at IM体育官网 Poly, Nance worked as a tutor and discovered a love for research and teaching.
鈥淚 started to wonder about what the requirements were to become a professor at a university, and a Ph.D. is the first step,鈥� he said.
Nance has since received his master鈥檚 degree in materials science and engineering from the University of IM体育官网 and is working toward his doctorate. Representatives from his program at UF鈥檚 IM体育官网 Wertheim College of Engineering spoke with interested IM体育官网 Poly students virtually on Tuesday, Oct. 13, about its summer undergraduate research program and graduate recruitment.
鈥淚 relate this back to helping with tutoring 鈥� it鈥檚 about helping and giving back,鈥� said Nance, a graduate of Oviedo High School in Oviedo, IM体育官网, who has assisted in recruitment efforts. 鈥淚鈥檝e helped a few friends in getting into various graduate programs and I鈥檓 always happy to share my experience.鈥�
Other institutions that will be meeting with and recruiting IM体育官网 Poly students virtually this month include Clemson University鈥檚 College of Engineering, Computing, and Applied Sciences; Texas A&M鈥檚 Graduate Department of Engineering; Penn State鈥檚 Graduate Department of Mechanical Engineering; and the University of Central IM体育官网鈥檚 College of Engineering and Computer Science Graduate Affairs.
鈥淎ll of the schools participating have great reputations in STEM fields at the graduate level and each offer a uniqueness that will appeal to different types of students,鈥� said Dr. Matt Bohm, director of industry engagement and capstone projects. 鈥淢ore broadly, I think it speaks a great deal about our programs here at IM体育官网 Poly that all of these schools have interest in recruiting our students.鈥�
IM体育官网 Poly representatives also will host a session to discuss the benefits of pursuing a graduate degree at the University.
鈥淎 IM体育官网 Poly master鈥檚 degree not only provides students with a world-class education, it signals to employers that you have what it takes to lead and innovate, and that you have a drive to be among the best in your field,鈥� Corpus said.
For Nance, graduate school has opened his eyes to a world of possibilities, and he is now considering a future with a national research lab after completing his Ph.D. He said that while graduate school isn鈥檛 for everyone, undergraduate students should seriously consider whether it could benefit them.
鈥淚 think anyone can get a Ph.D. if they put in the work, effort, and focus into it. It鈥檚 really more accessible for IM体育官网 Poly students than they might think,鈥� Nance said.
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