By Andrei Abarientos, Peer Research Ambassador

One of the most important lessons that I learned as a researcher is that your research (and your experiences with it) is a story. One of the most important things you can do as an undergraduate to prepare for your future is to reflect and understand your own path, and how your research plays into that. Hand-in-hand with that is being able to effectively craft a narrative, which is crucial anytime you are explaining yourself, your work, and your career. Whether you’re studying molecular processes, supermassive black holes, or social issues, placing your work into a larger context and effectively articulate your path is a major pillar of being a researcher. In large presentations, interviews, applications, or even just small-talk with colleagues, having a mastery of storytelling is an oft-overlooked skill of a scientific or investigative career. There’s a myriad of ways to go about this, but here are a few steps to crafting your story that I’ve picked up through experience and through listening to others: Continue reading →