Meet the 2023-24 KCGIP Oregon Pathways to Industry Research Careers (OPIRC) mentors. Mentors were selected based on lived experience, past experience with mentorship, and interest in supporting the next-generation of scientists and engineers. Mentors develop their mentorship and leadership skills through formal training and workshops prior to meeting with mentees, and receiving coaching from Stacey York, Sr Director of Professional Development & Workforce Readiness.
Mentors meet with OPIRC mentees on a monthly basis, providing mentorship and advice on building a successful path to an industrial or national lab career. In addition to mentorship, OPIRC mentees are eligible for scholarships, specialized advising, and other career supports.
OPIRC programming is supported through funding from the National Science Foundation and recently awarded Workforce Ready Grant.
| "Embrace challenges and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Your curiosity and persistence will drive your success in STEM."
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Kat Hurlbutt | My PathwayKCGIP Master’s Track: Polymer Science Internship Host: Los Alamos National Lab in Los Alamos, NM
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| "If it feels hard, you are on the right path! You aren't meant to breeze through your degree, you will learn the best in environments that challenges you and it will get easier with experience."
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Kelsie Neumann | My PathwayKCGIP Master’s Track: Molecular Sensors and Biotechnology Internship Host: Thermo Fisher Scientific in Eugene, OR
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| “Achieving a STEM degree (and in many ways STEM itself) is a marathon, not a sprint. If you are anything like me, there will be many times where it feels really discouraging, overwhelming, or impossible. But science is a process, and if you trust the process and trust yourself, you will achieve your goals. Ask for help, from peers and professors and everyone in between. Ask all of the smart questions and then give yourself permission to ask all the dumb questions as well because I guarantee that you aren't the only person wondering about them. And finally, be kind to yourself. There is no one way to be a STEM student, just like there is no one set way to be a scientist or mathematician. Your way of learning and contributing is valid and powerful, and as long as you don't give up, it will lead you to where you want to be.”
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Emma Speight | My PathwayKCGIP Master’s Track: Photovoltaics and Semiconductors Internship Host: Analog Devices in Beaverton, OR
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| "Take interesting classes, you never know where your passions may lie. Remember college is a marathon, be sure to take care of yourself and set long term goals. Always go to office hours and try to get to know your professors. You will be grateful for those relationships later and develop a deeper understanding of the materials. If you have an opportunity to do research, take it. The more hands-on experience you have the better."
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Farris Tedder | My PathwayKCGIP Master's Track: Bioinformatics and Genomics Internship Host: Interviews during Genomics in Action
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| "Don't let yourself be discouraged by difficult coursework. Almost all students will experience a struggle at some point in their academic pursuits. In those times, don't be afraid to reach out to other students and instructors. They want you succeed!"
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Ian VanGordon | My PathwayKCGIP Master’s Track: Bioinformatics and Genomics Internship Host: Interviews during Genomics in Action
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| “Don't be afraid to ask for help! Whether it's academic help, career guidance, or emotional support, don't hesitate to seek assistance. Colleges offer a wealth of resources, from tutoring services to career counseling. Use them to your advantage.”
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Nisha Wilson | My PathwayKCGIP Master’s Track: Optical Materials and Devices Internship Host: MKS Instruments in Hillsboro, OR
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