A: FROM MENTOR DR. ESTHER PEARSON OF MASSACHUSETTS
Playing sports has a definite positive effect on a woman's career. Sports teaches several key items that assist in a successful career. It teaches how to work in a competitive atmosphere while still demonstrating and encouraging
teamwork. It also teaches discipline and graciousness in victory and defeat. These four items (competition, teamwork, discipline and graciousness) go a long way in shaping a positive career outlook and taking on leadership roles within academia, government and corporate organizations.

A: FROM MENTOR MARGARET FOWLE, WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST, NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION, MONTPELIER, VT
YES - definitely. I think sports teach you a lot about team work, discipline, and challenging yourself. They can only help you in your career. It is more than likely that you will have to work as part of a team in your job, and sports play a big role in teaching you how to do that. The discipline and hard work required to play sports, whether individual or team, will also prepare you for college and your career. Plus, being physically fit keeps your mind alert
and your body healthy.

A: FROM MENTOR ELLEN PICCIOLI, SENIOR MEMBER OF TECHNICAL STAFF AT COMPAQ
COMPUTER CORP. IN SHREWSBURY, MA
As noted in a reply per extra curricular activities, I played field hockey and lacrosse throughout college, as well as other sports before college. I still play field hockey on a club team. I've often thought back and realized how much
more I got out of playing the sport than just playing field hockey. For example, some of the skills required to excel and be successful in a team sport include team work, leadership, communication, negotiation, planning (contingency and otherwise), motivation, etc. These skills can be applied to many different careers and life experiences.

A: FROM MENTOR MARY JO MULLEN, CIVIL ENGINEER AT PATRICK ENGINEERING
I don't know if it has a direct affect on a woman's career, but I would say my experience in sports was beneficial. You learn things from participating in sports that help you develop skills which are helpful in college and your
career. Your interaction with your coach, especially one that may not be easy to get along with, preps you for interaction with professors and future bosses. The social skills you develop by being involved in a team are very
important in business. Also, many offices participate in some sort of sporting event, whether the company has a softball team in a local league or participates and hosts golf outings. I've found golf to be huge in engineering, I've been trying to learn to play so that I can be a part of the outings that take place. As unfair as it may seem, playing in these outings can really help your career.

A: FROM MENTOR CASSIE FENOSEFF, DESIGN RELEASE ENGINEER AT GM NORTH AMERICA
I think that sports (or any other extracurricular activities) have an indirect affect on your career. They can help you get into college, or even obtain a job when people see that you are well-rounded and involved. That is the experience
that I have had.
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Q: FROM MENTEE STEPHANIE H. IN CT
For any mentors in the field of medicine, at which point in your lives did you first become interested in your career option and also when did you decide for sure that you would be pursuing that career? (middle school, high
school, college?) I'd be interested to know, because I'm a sophomore in high school and I'm pretty sure medicine is a field I would like to get into.
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Q: FROM MENTEE ALLIE IN KY
What classes are beneficial for me in high school, since I want to be a nurse.
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NEW QUESTIONS
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Q: FROM MENTEE MADDIE W. IN KY
If I were to look into a job in the field of the study of history, but I want to travel the world what would be a good job to look into?

Q: FROM MENTEE LEAH C. IN KY
What jobs are the most injoyable for a good amount of pay
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END
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GEM-SET Daily Digest for January 3, 2002
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Q: FROM MENTEE LEEANN M. IN KY
In your opinion, does playing sports in high school have any affect on a women's career?

A: FROM MENTEE JESSICA M. in Vermont
I believe playing sports in high school has an effect on a women's career. Women who play sports in high school are more competitive in their work. Being more competitive these women are able to take a loss alot easier than those who have never played sports. Playing sports makes a women stronger to deal with losses in her career. Participating in sports makes women compete harder for a certain career than it would if they didn't compete.

A: FROM MENTOR RACHEL SPROUSE, WEST VIRGINIA OPERATIONS CHANGE MANAGEMENT
LEADER AT DOW CHEMICAL CO.
Yes! Playing sports teaches you valuable skills that you cannot learn from a textbook. Working with other women and/or men in a team setting teaches you how to interact with others. It is essential to learn how to work with
others, adapt to their differences and still be effective in a working environment. By participating in sports, you will begin to develop some of these skills. Also, being active in sports is a great way to network with other men or women. This, too, is important in a working environment - to meet new people that could be a help to you in your career.

A: FROM MENTOR NANCY VANDLING, ASST. PROGRAM MANAGER, ENGINEERING AND
CONSTRUCTION DIVISION, PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY IN PITTSBURGH, PA
It may or may not effect your career choice; however, I believe that it positively assists you in college and in your career position. Participating in sports helps you learn how to: participate and work together as a team; plan and schedule your activities so that there is time to practice, attend competition events or games, study/do home work, spend time with your family, and participate in other social events; develop communications skills with many types of people and personalities; compete for and achieve a goal; improve your concentration; budget your funds to
acquire necessary equipment or to get to an event; use your imagination to raise funds for the team; and develop your social skills.
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Q: FROM MENTEE STEPHANIE H. IN CT
For any mentors in the field of medicine, at which point in your lives did you first become interested in your career option and also when did you decide for sure that you would be pursuing that career? (middle school, high
school, college?) I'd be interested to know, because I'm a sophomore in high school and I'm pretty sure medicine is a field I would like to get into.

A: FROM MENTOR MARSHA SEGEBARTH, PhD, INSTRUCTOR OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY &
ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN IN
I don't know that I can exactly pinpoint when I decided I wanted a career in the health field! I always enjoyed biology (science in middle school) and always wanted to know "why" - the research part. During high school I
decided I wanted to be a part of the medical arena, but I did not think I wanted to pursue medical school. When I entered college I did so as a pre-pharmacy major. Quickly I decided that I wanted more 'hands on' and switched my major to medical technology/biology. I really enjoyed the laboratory experiences. My master's degree is in Allied Health Science. I have never regretted my decision. I think you need to examine what you REALLY like. For me, it was biology and laboratory experiences. Medical technology was a perfect fit. For you it may be something different. If you really love chemistry, maybe pharmacy (an area in which you actually prepare the prescriptions rather than just dispense) might be what you want. Examine your motives. If you think you want medicine based on the prestige and the income, think again! Please!!! It is so much more important to spend your life doing something you really love than working for the income.

A: FROM MENTOR KRISTIN TAGAHON, SOFTWARE ENGINEER, LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES IN IL
I decided to work with software when I was a sophomore in college. I changed my major from Elementary Education to Software because I took a class in Fortran and realized I really liked it, I understood it and it would make more money than teaching. Also, I had been a park leader during the previous summer and realized that I had less patience with kids than I thought!!
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Q: FROM MENTEE ALLIE IN KY
What classes are beneficial for me in high school, since I want to be a nurse.

A: FROM DR. ESTHER PEARSON IN MASSACHUSETTS.
I strongly recommend that you take Biology, Chemistry and Anatomy/Physiology. Also any advanced courses in these areas that are available to you are recommended. These three areas are the core in high school curriculum for
preparation for a career as a Registered Nurse.
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Q: FROM MENTEE MADDIE W. IN KY
If I were to look into a job in the field of the study of history, but I want to travel the world what would be a good job to look into?

A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK, ASSOCIATE DEAN, GRADUATE SCHOOL, BROWN UNIVERSITY,
PROVIDENCE, RI
Even dry-as-dust academic historians travel to archives all over the world. Journalists travel, and the more they know history the more they can understand of what they see in the present. Writers - novelists and magazine writers as well as historians - have a good excuse to travel, for background and accurate local color. There are tours to all sorts of historically interesting places, and a guide who knows her history would get to travel and meet people (of course a tour guide has to be nice to demanding customers whether she feels like it or not!). Bon voyage!

A: FROM MENTOR KRISTIN TAGHON, SOFTWARE ENGINEER, LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES IN IL
One that comes to mind is geologist. Another is archaeologist. Both deal with history and both require lots of travel to digs. The following definitions of these two sciences are taken from the third college edition of Webster's New World Dictionary: Geology is the science dealing with the physical nature and history of the earth, including the structure and development of its crust, the composition ofits interior, individual rock types, the forms of life found as fossils etc. Archaeology is the scientific study of the life and culture of past, especially ancient, peoples, as by excavation of ancient cities, relics, artifacts, etc.

A: FROM MENTOR CHANDRA L INGLIS, ARCHAEOLOGIST WEST VIRGINIA DIVISION OF
HIGHWAYS IN CHARLESTON, WV
Authors who write historical novels, often travel to do research. Antropologists and archaeologists, depending on their field of study travel quite a bit to do their work. You could become a teacher on the Semester at Sea ship. Learn a Foreign language and become an interpreter, or get involved in political science

A: FROM MENTOR TERESA ESSER, WRITER
You can travel the world regardless of which career you choose. When I was an undergraduate I served as a research assistant for Professor Harriet Ritvo, the head of the history faculty at MIT: <http://mit.edu/hnritvo/www>http://mit.edu/hnritvo/www/ Professor Ritvo was always flying off to Great Britian to access original research materials at particular libraries. Clearly, if you want to study the history of a certain region, it's a good idea to travel to that region. But most professional fields have opportunities for travel. If you study geology or anthropology you will have to travel to the places where your rocks or your indigenous populations are.
If you study Biology or Environmental Engineering or any other scientific subject you will probably
have to present your research findings to your colleagues at scientific conferences around the world. If you study medicine you might choose to take your skills to a part of the world that is plagued with diseases. If you study wind power you might find yourself traveling to China to examine the potential for generating wind power in that country. Student travel is cheaper than you think! Check out the air fares on this Web site:
<http://www.statravel.com/>http://www.statravel.com/ Check out inexpensive lodgings at this site:
<http://www.iyhf.org/home_gb.html>http://www.iyhf.org/home_gb.html I have stayed at youth hostels in New York City and Australia and they are generally pretty reasonable. I think the United States lags behind other countries in encouraging its young people to go abroad. In Australia, going "on walkabout" is practically a rite of
passage. If you travel before the age of 25 you can get heavily discounted rates on airfare. I'm pretty sure that Eurail has cheap rates for students and those under 25: <http://www.railpass.com/>http://www.railpass.com/ There are a number of excellent travel book series, such as the Rough Guides <http://travel.roughguides.com/>http://travel.roughguides.com/
and Lonely Planet <http://www.lonelyplanet.com/>http://www.lonelyplanet.com/
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Q: FROM MENTEE LEAH C. IN KY
What jobs are the most enjoyable for a good amount of pay?

A: FROM MENTOR MARTY CHINTALA, RESEARCH BIOLOGIST, US EPA, ATLANTIC ECOLOGY
DIVISION, NARRAGANSETT, RI
Leah, I think the answer to that is very subjective and depends on each person's personality and interests. What is enjoyable to me, may not be for you. Also, I sometimes find that there can be an inverse relationship between what you find enjoyable, and how much money you can make at it. Sometimes you may have to choose which is more important to you, doing something you like, or making good money. I, personally, prefer to do something I enjoy for a job, and then I just live within my means. There are always ways to get extra money, whether it is working an extra job, etc. But if I have a main job that I spend a lot of time doing, I want to be able to enjoy it.

A: FROM MENTOR DANELL M. OLIVER-COLLINS, RETAIL INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER, HALLMARK
CARDS, INC, IN KANSAS CITY, MO
This is a difficult question to answer in black and white terms. For a job to be enjoyable it depends on who is doing the work. I could be an accountant and get good pay but I don't enjoy numbers that much. I love engineering becaue I get to design and build things and it has pretty good pay and other benefits. If you want to get paid well for doing what you enjoy look into getting a college degree or some kind of advanced technical training in a field that interests you. The college/training on your resume will make you eligible for positions with higher pay.

A: FROM MENTOR KRISTIN TAGHON, SOFTWARE ENGINEER, LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES IN IL
All jobs are enjoyable by someone! It all depends upon your own interests. You should talk to your school counselor about your interests and she/he can help you find career possibilities. From there, you can look up the average pay
for these careers.
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Q: FROM MODERATORS TO GEM-SET MENTORS THAT ARE ENGINEERS
We have over a dozen types of engineers in the GEM-SET mentoring program. How did you decide on your engineering specialty? What makes your specialty more interesting than the others?

A: FROM MENTOR RACHEL SPROUSE AT DOW CHEMICAL CO.
I chose chemical engineering because I enjoyed chemistry and found it fascinating. Chemistry allows one to create something totally new from two or more substances. Also, the chemical engineering field is one of the top paying four year degrees in engineering. Working in the chemical engineering field also allows me to do numerous things throughout my career - I am not "stuck" in the same job year after year. I have the ability to transfer to a different plant within my location and learn a completely new process, learn the new chemistry, etc. I work on totally different projects from month to month, which keeps things interesting. I can be working on a project to improve the safety of my plant, and also be working on a project to improve the quality of the product at the same time. I also have the option to work in design, R&D, maintenance, operations, EH&S (environmental, health and safety), etc. The options are endless.
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NEW QUESTIONS
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Q: FROM MELANIE T. IN KY
When it was time for you to decided what you would major in for college, what did you take into account to help you make this decision?
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Q: FROM MENTEE JESSICA M. IN VERMONT
What is the difference between a four year and two year business college? Is four years a bachelors degree and two years an associates degree?
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GEM-SET Daily Digest for January 4, 2002
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Note: Are you new to the daily digest? If you want to read past discussions, go to the "Daily Digest Archives" found at <http://www.gem-set.org/>http://www.gem-set.org. At this web site you will also find short biographies on each of the GEM-SET mentors. Feel free to ask a question to a specific mentor or to the entire GEM-SET list by sending your question to GEM-SET@uic.edu.
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Q: FROM MELANIE T. IN KY
When it was time for you to decided what you would major in for college, what did you take into account to help you make this decision?

A: FROM MENTOR CASSIE FENOSEFF, DESIGN RELEASE ENGINEER AT GM NORTH AMERICA
I considered what classes I had liked and had done well in in high school, what types of programs the college I was attending offered, and what industries had good potential for the future, among other things. However, I think the most important thing to consider is what you are interested in. Don't choose something just for the money, because it's easy, because your friends are in it, or because your parents think you should. You will be much happier if you
choose something because you like it.

A: FROM DANELL OLIVER-COLLINS, RETAIL INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER, HALLMARK CARDS,
INC, IN KANSAS CITY, MO
I looked at the classes I liked best in school and what activities I liked outside of school. I talked with people about their jobs asking them what they do and how they do it and what the pros and cons were of their jobs. You don't have to decide before you get to college. You can use the first year or two of college taking classes in all areas to help expose you to the different fields out there. I recommend any seminar classes which give a general overview of the degree and the careers you can make for yourself using those degrees.

A: FROM MENTOR KRISTIN TAGHON, SOFTWARE ENGINEER AT LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES IN IL
The main thing I took into account was which classes I liked and did fairly well in. Secondly, I realized that the career I was choosing would make a pretty good living, but that wasn't my main reason. I also took into account the
number of jobs in that field. Tech fields were growing back in the late 70s, early 80s and they were beginning to encourage women to enter these fields.

A: FROM MENTOR SUZANNE FRANKS, PhD, DIRECTOR, WOMEN IN ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE
PROGRAM AT KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY IN MANHATTAN, KS
Melanie, I think almost everyone has an interesting story about how they finally picked their college major! Here at
K-State, most students change their major 2 or 3 times before deciding on a final choice. When I was still in high
school, I thought I wanted to be a psychologist or a forester, because I had taken a psychology course I liked, and because I liked trees. However, I initially chose environmental engineering for a couple of reasons: I was good at math, so my mom encouraged me to try engineering. She had two brothers who were engineers and she knew they had done a lot of math when they were students, but she didn't really know anything else about engineering. So I looked through my college catalog at all the descriptions of engineering majors and that helped a little but I still didn't really understand it. I finally picked environmental engineering because I liked trees and nature and I thought it would be connected somehow. In my first year of college, I found out that environmental engineering was not really interesting to me. But I had a work-study job and was fortunate to work in the nuclear engineering department. I got to know a lot of the professors and I got really interested in atoms and nuclear energy and so I
switched majors. Later I switched again, to engineering science, because I wanted to do a research project and all the students in that major had to do one. One semester I had to do a research paper on a new area of technology and I wrote about magnetic resonance imaging, which was just being developed at that time (mid-1980s.) This was really interesting to me and so I did my research project on an imaging technology with a professor in the nuclear engineering department. It was in working on this project as a senior in college that I really discovered what I loved - the combination of engineering science and medical research. I went on to graduate school to do more research in this area and eventually got my PhD in biomedical engineering. There are a few things you can tell from this story: 1. I was lucky to have someone (my mom) who encouraged me to try non-traditional career choices like engineering. 2. My early choices, in high school and my choice of first major in college, turned out to be things that I really wasn't interested in - so it's a good idea to let yourself keep exploring options for a long time and look for opportunities to see if something that interests you is really what you like. 3. Don't be surprised if you change your major once or twice or three times as an undergraduate! That's a normal part of the process of figuring out what you want to do. Very few people know by the time they start college exactly what they want to do. 4. To help you figure out what you like - take a variety of classes. If you have an opportunity to job shadow someone, do so (job shadowing helped me figure out I didn't want to be a forest ranger.) When you get to college, try to get a job working in a department that interests you but that you haven't chosen as a major. You can do this as a workstudy student or if you don't have work study, perhaps you can volunteer. This is a good way to meet people and learn more about a major to see if you like it. There are so many interesting things to do that it is hard to pick just one! The good thing is you don't have to know for sure on your first day of college what you want to do for the rest of you life!

A: FROM MENTOR MARTY WOELFEL, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY AT KENTUCKY STATE
UNIVERSITY
There's three big things to consider: First, what do you really like to do? Second, what can you become really good at doing? Third, what career opportunities does the major lead to? The first question is important because you are unlikely to do well in your major unless you have some interest and enjoyment in the major field of studies. You are also unlikely to be either really good or really happy in a career unless you like what you are doing. The second question is important because most folks are more talented and suited for excellence in some areas than in others--and this has to do with more than just study or attitude alone. Just as specific types of physique influences success in specific sports, your aptitudes and personal characteristics influence how successful you may be in specific careers. I'd hate to see a pediatrician who intensely dislikes babies and children, for instance, or a field biologist who is intensely allergic to outdoor allergens. And, I suspect that although I really like music and sing reasonably decently, I was not born with the right combination of vocal cords and other physical factors needed to become an outstanding career vocalist. (So I sing in a chorus for fun, instead, and have developed my voice considerably there. . .but not to
soloist quality.) The third question is important because most of us have to work for a living--and it's important to do your life's work in what you like to do and are good at doing. So, you'll want some assurance that if you major in a particular area and become good in doing things related to that field, you will be able to find a job you find satisfactory in terms of income, lifestyle, and future opportunities for growth. Remember, as a previous mentor has said recently, money is not everything. For example, many of us who have chosen to teach have deliberately passed up more lucrative careers because of job satisfaction factors unrelated to income. You'll want to look for the right mix for you--sufficient income to live comfortably and job satisfaction/lifestyle factors which enable you to enjoy your life's work.
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Q: FROM MENTEE JESSICA M. IN VERMONT
What is the difference between a four year and two year business college? Is four years a bachelors degree and two years an associates degree?

A: FROM MENTOR MARTY WOELFEL, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY AT KENTUCKY STATE
UNIVERSITY
You've hit on one of the differences between two and four-year colleges, but there are others as well. . . and at both, finishing a program may take a different amount of time than what you might expect. "Two year" and "four year" programs assume that a student comes in ready to start the program (no remedial or "catch up" work in English or Math, for instance), will study full time, and will experience no unluckiness or changes in career plans. In actuality, the records show many students do not finish a program in the "announced" number of years but often take longer. Still, in general, an associate's degree is considered a two year degree and a bachelor's degree is considered a
four-year degree. Two-year colleges often offer associate degrees, but many have other "certificate" programs of various lengths which lead to certification (and sometimes licensure) in specific career areas. Some stick mainly
to vocational/technical careers, and others have programs which lead more smoothly to a four-year bachelor's degree (these are often called "transfer" programs). To confuse things more, some four-year schools (mine included) have some certificate and two-year programs they offer. The most important thing to remember is to choose a program that is right for you at a school you can attend (i.e., you qualify for admission and you can afford to go there). For some types of careers, two year schools are the best bet. Also, in many parts of the country, a lot of students typically begin study at a two year school and then transfer to a four-year school to complete a bachelor's degree. No matter what type of school you choose, check to see if it is "accredited." In every area of the country, there are certain agencies which check out schools and make sure they meet certain minimum quality standards. (For the southern states, for instance, the accrediting should have a statement in its catalogue indicating by whom it is
accredited. Your guidance counselor at high school or admissions counselors at colleges and universities should be able to help you find these statements. I'd be careful about going to any school that is not accredited by one of the major agencies.

A: FROM MENTOR KRISTIN TAGHON, SOFTWARE ENGINEER AT LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES
You got it right - Bachelors degrees typically can be finished in 4 years, and associates in 2 years. Some people can do it faster, some slower. Typically, the jobs that require more schooling also pay better. But, this isn't always the case. Sometimes, getting an associates and starting at entry level for that degree can get you a foot in the door. And you can then work your way up into higher paying positions with your own work experience. Also, sometimes the company will help pay for your schooling to go for a bachelors, masters ( the degree you receive after your bachelors) or phd (degree after themasters).
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NEW QUESTIONS
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Q: FROM MENTEE ALYSSA G.
I have such a boring science teacher. He collects rocks!! How can I learn to pay attention in class?
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GEM-SET Daily Digest for January 7, 2002
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Note: NEW QUESTIONS ARE LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DAILY DIGEST.
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Q: FROM MELANIE T. IN KY
When it was time for you to decided what you would major in for college, what did you take into account to help you make this decision?

A: FROM JENNIFER MARSH, PhD, Esq., SENIOR ASSOCIATE, COUNCIL ON SECONDARY
EDUCATION IN FRANKFORT, KY
I only had to look at what I enjoyed spending my time doing and then scanned course catalogs to find a major that encompassed those interests. I spent my days since I was old enough to walk with animals, plants, learning about
birds,standing in water to see who lives there, so biology was natural for me. After I received my Ph.D. I decided the world that I loved so much needed an advocate and went to law school so I could practice environmental law. After
practicing for a few years I realized the protection I had envisioned begins with legislation so went to work as general counsel for my state's legislative body. The story I'm telling you is that as a seventeen year old, I never, ever considered that I would be an attorney, working in senate and house chambers all day, researching, drafting, and negotiating legislation, but all the classes I took throughout my college career, even the ones that didn't seem applicable at the time, prepared me for where I stand today. Look at how you spend your time, note the things you do that make you happy, and follow that path. Where the path leads may not be where you started but if you stick to your interests, you'll enjoy the trip.
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Q: FROM MENTEE ALYSSA G.
I have such a boring science teacher. He collects rocks!! How can I learn to pay attention in class?

A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK, ASSOCIATE DEAN, GRADUATE SCHOOL, BROWN UNIVERSITY IN
PROVIDENCE, RI
Is he teaching you about rocks, or is his collection just a hobby? You know, boredom is in the mind of the beholder - different people find different things intrinsically fascinating or intrinsically dull. There are just different tastes; and you can find someone who collects almost anything you can think of. But there are also styles of teaching that work better than others (and styles that work well with one student often don't with another student.) One thing I do if a lecture is boring is think about how I might make it more interesting, if I had to give the lecture. Might there be
some demonstrations, some show-and-tell to liven it up? What real-life examples might I add, to connect the subject with students' own experience or interests? With rocks, for example - some are quite beautiful, particularly crystalline minerals, and that makes them more pleasant to study. If I were to say that women have a long history of being interested in rocks like diamonds, rubies, amethysts, sapphires - and might care to know how to tell the real
ones from imitations - I might get shouted off this list as being anti-feminist.... so I would never say that. ;-) All rocks are products of geological processes that tell us a lot about the earth. Are they sedimentary, telling us that they came from the bottom of a sea or lake? With fossils to reveal their age? Were they deposited by the wind? Were they heated? Have they been melted? How fast did they cool? Were they formed right where we find them or were they moved - by man or by glaciers? We can learn about the state of the earth when they formed - and that's pretty
impressive, so long ago and no written history to consult. Some rocks are useful for building materials, and traveled long distances. If you live in a city with stone buildings, where did that stone come from, and how was it transported? What properties allow us to be sure that the granite in two neighboring buildings had to come from different quarries hundreds of miles apart? How was it transported to the site 150 years ago? Anyway, even with a subject like rocks you can think of questions that might interest you and connect with things that you already find
intrinsically interesting. You might even find that your teacher would enjoy making these connections if you ask questions. Or you might just have learned that this subject is one that you don't care about and won't care about, and move on to others. Good luck!

A: FROM MENTOR ANNALIESE BRATCHER, INFO TECH TRAINER, U. KENTUCKY
There are things you can do during class that will help you develop scientific knowledge despite a boring teacher. If the textbook is interesting, you could read and study it. Teacher rarely object to students working with the class's textbook. However, to actually pay better attention during the class and get the most out of your teacher and class
sessions (as you suggest), consider trying to engage your teacher. Since you know he like rocks, give rocks a second look and see if you can find some new interests. My son loves volcanoes, so I'm learning tons of stuff about the many uses of volcanic rock. Pumice is used for soaps, buffs and all kinds of personal grooming products. Perlite an excellent plant starter (instead of soil or mixed into soil) is exploded volcanic rock. You might also find it interesting to explore what myths various cultures have associated with gems and other rocks. If you can involve your teacher in a discussion of something like this, he may realize that during his class, he can talk with real people who have an interest in science. He may start involving you and your fellow students in the classes. When I've tried this strategy in the past, I've been amazed at how much a little student-initiated conversation can impact a teacher.

A: FROM MENTOR CAROL TOMAN, DISTINGUISHED MEMBER OF TECHNICAL STAFF AT LUCENT
TECHNOLOGIES, INC. IN NAPERVILLE, IL
Hey, I collect rocks and I'm not boring! One of my favorites is a garnet the size of a grape half exposed from its field of micaceous schist which I got on a trip to Alaska. Another favorite is a piece of the mineral smithsonite in the most beautiful turquoise shade which I collected from the only place on earth that contains that color, Kelly, New Mexico. You might try staying after class one day and asking your teacher why he collects rocks and which are his favorites. You may find out that he's a very interesting person when not lecturing in front of the class. On the other hand,
some teachers really are boring and it's tough to get much out of the class. My daughter had the same problem
in her 8th grade science class. She was so bored that she got into trouble by talking and goofing off all the time (which was unusual for her). I had a talk with the principal, told him that my daughter was bored, and asked if she could do independent study for science. His answer was no, but he had a different idea that we implemented and it
worked. She was assigned to be the "tutor" for a student that was having difficulty in the class. They sat together and she was allowed to talk with him as much as necessary. Her job was to make sure that his grade improved. He went from an F to a C+. My daughter had something to focus on and gained the experience of tutoring, which she continues to do as a job in high school. My advice to you is: 1) look into yourself and figure out why you are bored. Don't just blame it on the teacher. 2) talk with your parents and/or teacher and/or principal about the problem. 3) Keep a constructive attitude at all times. You may find some way to modify the situation that makes it more interesting, but you might just have to live with it. There will always be boring teachers, even in college. Learn
the material from the book, get a good grade, and think of the time you spend in science class as a rest period. Good luck.
A: FROM MENTOR SUZANNE FRANKS, PHD, DIRECTOR OR WOMEN IN ENGINEERING SCIENCE
PROGRAM AT KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
Hi Alyssa! I remember having a boring science teacher in 8th grade. One of our exams was just a list of terms and we had to say which chapter each term came from. Boring! Not to mention I didn't learn much. Here's what I tried to do. I paid enough attention to figure out what I had to do in that class to get an A. Then I spent time reading my textbook for fun, including the parts we didn't get assigned to read. And when I wanted more information about something, I would look it up in the encyclopedia or try to find other sources of information. My boring teacher didn't do anything so interesting as collect rocks. Why do you think your teacher collects rocks? Maybe he wanted
to be a geologist at one point. Does he talk about the rocks in class? Or does he just display them? If he doesn't talk about them, maybe you could try asking him some questions: Why do you collect rocks? Why these particular rocks? What are the similarities and differences between the rocks? Where did you get these rocks? and so on. You can't change the way your teacher teaches, but while you are waiting for next year and hoping for a better teacher, try to explore other sources of learning about science. See what's in the library; if you have a local science museum, visit it. There are some good science exploration kits and projects on the market; maybe your parents would be willing to get you one or a few of them if you expressed an interest.

A: FROM MENTOR MARY CHINTALA, RESEARCH BIOLOGIST, U.S. E.P.A., ATLANTIC
ECOLOGY DIVISION IN NARRAGANSETT, RI
Alyssa, Whenever I thought a teacher or class was boring, I always tried to find something in it that interested me, and focus on that. If that failed, then I tried to turn it into a game where I would compete with myself to keep doing better. I, too, didn't like a science teacher that I had in 7th grade- she loved rocks as well, and always wanted us to
memorize all these dumb rocks and be able to recognize them. It was hard for me to do since I was bored and didn't care about them. But what got me through it was I would focus on something other than her boring teaching. I would try to find something about the rocks that interested me, particularly the color or the texture and what could they be useful for. Then I didn't have to remember the rocks by rote, but by the characteristic that I associated with them- and it gave me something that I wanted to focus on and associated what she wanted me to focus on. Good luck, there's nothing harder for me than focusing on something I'm bored with!
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Q: FROM MENTEE STEPHANIE H. IN CT
For any mentors in the field of medicine, at which point in your lives did you first become interested in your career option and also when did you decide for sure that you would be pursuing that career? (middle school, high
school, college?) I'd be interested to know, because I'm a sophomore in high school and I'm pretty sure medicine is a field I would like to get into.

A: FROM MENTOR MARGO AUXTER, RADIATION THERAPIST,ST. JOHN HOSPITAL IN
TULSA, OK
I decided pretty early, in my sophomore year of high school. I knew I wanted to be in the medical field, and it just took a little research to find Radiation Therapy. Radiography sounded interesting, but as I researched, it sounded less and less like the career for me. I thought about what part of medicine I liked and didn't like. Radiation therapy fit all my criteria. I had never known a therapist, or even seen a treatment facility. I had to do a lot of footwork on my own, but it was worth it. I visited hospitals, and called several schools to find the answers to my questions. I wanted to know about schooling, pay, working conditions, and everyday responsibilities. Radiation therapy is a bit of an obscure career, so your school advisor will more than likely be able to help you research most careers.
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NEW QUESTIONS
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Q: FROM MENTEE ANNE MARIE IN IN
I am really interested in Phorensic science. I think it's pretty cool, but I'd like to know how much of it is made up by tv shows like CSI?
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Q: FROM MENTEE CHRISTINE B. IN CT
Are there any programs or interships that high school students can get and not be seniors?
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Q: FROM MENTEE AMANDA W. IN KY
I want to do a double major, but don't know how that works. The major's I want have some of the same classes. Would I have to take those classes again?
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END
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GEM-SET Daily Digest for January 8, 2002
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Note: NEW QUESTIONS ARE LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DAILY DIGEST.
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Q: FROM MENTEE ANNE MARIE IN IN
I am really interested in Phorensic science. I think it's pretty cool, but I'd like to know how much of it is made up by tv shows like CSI?

A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK, ASSOCIATE DEAN, GRADUATE SCHOOL, BROWN UNIVERSITY IN
PROVIDENCE, RI
I think it's pretty real. Some years ago I heard a fascinating talk by a real forensic scientist, full of gruesome details like telling the time of death from the maggots in the corpse and the place of death from which species of maggot, and I know that was for real. What impresses me most is the open-ended, interdisciplinary nature of the work. Absolutely everything about a crime scene is able to tell tales about who was there and when events happened. You're right, it's pretty cool! There is an American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
<http://www.aafs.org/>http://www.aafs.org links to a lot of information, including a list of undergraduate (and graduate programs in the US and abroad. http://www.aafs.org/schools1.htm#UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS. Both doctors and non-medical scientists can contribute.
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Q: FROM MENTEE CHRISTINE B. IN CT
Are there any programs or internships that high school students can get and not be seniors?

A: FROM MENTOR KRISTIN TAGHON, SOFTWARE ENGINEER AT LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES IN IL
I'm not sure how all high schools work their internship programs. My high school did not have one. But, if I wanted to do an internship on my own as a Junior or Senior, I could take the initiative and go to businesses and find
oneon my own. Most businesses would be glad to have volunteer help as long as you show maturity in your interview.

A: FROM MENTOR ELYSSA MARGOLIS, PHD CANDIDATE AT UCSF/UCBERKELEY IN BERKELEY,
CA
There are many programs out there available to students at different educational stages. When I was in high school, I participated in a different program each summer, including programs at Lehigh U., Northwestern U., Clarkson U., and Brookhaven National Labs. One thing to keep in mind is that many of the programs that say they prefer Juniors
becoming Seniors will admit some younger students as well. The program at Northwestern (we were cherubs, in case you come across the literature for the program) was supposed to be for the summer before your senior year,
but I went the summer before my junior year. I had just finished my freshman year when I went to Lehigh, and although there were many students there who were older than me and I had not yet taken all of my science classes, I was still able to keep up. I know of at least 2 more programs (UCSF, NIH) that accept high school students at different levels. Another thing to keep in mind if you don't go to a formal internship/program is that local college/university labs often will be interested in setting up an internship-like position for you. A number of
people in my high school did this at one of our local Universities, (both during the summer and during the school year) and they wound up doing some really interesting research. You can see if any of your teachers have connections with local Universities, or you can go directly to the department(s) you are interested in and talk to them. You could probably even find out about research that different professors are doing through the web and call/email them directly about visiting their labs and possibly working their for the summer. I am currently working on my PhD in Bioengineering at Berkeley/UCSF, and my advisor has received a number of such emails while I have been in the lab. Sometimes companies will also have summer internship programs for high school and college students. I think GM usually runs a very extensive high school and college summer program. These may be listed in
the newspaper or through your guidance couselors' office.
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Q: FROM MENTEE AMANDA W. IN KY
I want to do a double major, but don't know how that works. The major's I want have some of the same classes. Would I have to take those classes again?
A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK, ASSOCIATE DEAN, GRADUATE SCHOOL, BROWN UNIVERSITY IN
PROVIDENCE, RI
Each college will have its own rules about double majors. I think it's typical that a student is required to compete the degree requirements for each major separately - when it come to the total number of courses. If the same course is required for two majors, I doubt that you'd be required to take it twice; but if 10 courses are required for each you'd need 20 appropriate courses, filling up the total for each with electives. There should be written rules at each school, and very likely a dean in charge of advising students who want double majors. But consider majoring in just one subject and taking a lot of the second without formally declaring it as a second major. That frees you from a lot of requirements, allowing you to study more broadly outside the single major. I handle admission to graduate school, and I know that we look at an applicant's total record and that often students go to graduate school in a subject other than their official undergraduate major, if they are well prepared to go on with that subject. Employers too should have the sense to look at a whole transcript, not just at the title of the major. I majored in chemistry myself, but went to graduate school in biochemistry with hardly any background in biology - and that worked out fine. My PhD is officially in "medical sciences" but in reality not medical at all, just from a basic science graduate program based
in a medical school. I post-doc'd in a biology department and my first real job was as Assistant Professor of Chemistry. So I don't believe that titles are very important. The content of what you know is what's important.
(What's really bizarre is that I ended up an Associate Dean, doing accounting and social work with no formal education in either field!)

A: FROM MENTOR KRISTIN TAGHON, SOFTWARE ENGINEER AT LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES IN IL
If you double major and those majors have the same classes in their curriculum,you will be able to count the same class toward both majors. That is how I was able to minor in Math and major in Computer Science which had an emphasis on Math. All the math classes went toward my minor, too.

A: FROM MENTOR MOLLY WILLIAMS, PHD, PE, ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR RESEARCH AND
GRADUATE PROGRAMS AT THE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCES, WESTERN
MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY IN KALAMAZOO, MI
You'll have to check with the policies for the college you select. Generally there are clear rules for getting a double major or even two bachelor's degrees. You don't have to take any class twice. You just have to fill the requirements of each of the programs, even though there may be a lot of overlap of the requirements. For example a double major in chemistry and physics would have very similar requirements in introductory sciences, mathematics and general education, but would have different advanced course requirements. You would have to take both sets of advanced courses to get the double major. The additional time needed would probably be a year to take the extra courses. In some cases, you can get two separate degrees, for example a bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline and a bachelor of science in mathematics. The mathematics needed in an engineering program goes along way toward fulfilling the requirements of a mathematics major. My institution (Western Michigan University) will award two
bachelor's degrees if the student takes at least 30 credits (8 to 10 courses, or two semesters) beyond the first degree's requirements. This works well for students who want degrees in both mechanical and aeronautical engineering, or in electrical and computer engineering, or in chemical and paper engineering, because each of these program pairs are quite similar in requirements. Incidentally, a safe option is to graduate as soon as you complete one program's requirements, and then to take the extra courses to complete the second program. That way, you have one diploma in hand as soon as possible, so if you don't quite complete the second program, you still have a degree. If all goes well, you can attend two commencement ceremonies, and you get two nice certificates to hang on the wall.
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Q: FROM MENTEE STEPHANIE H. IN CT
For any mentors in the field of medicine, at which point in your lives did you first become interested in your career option and also when did you decide for sure that you would be pursuing that career? (middle school, high school, college?) I'd be interested to know, because I'm a sophomore in high school and I'm pretty sure medicine is a field I would like to get into.

A: FROM MENTOR DESIREE BUTTER, MD FROM PA
I became interested in medicine in grade school. I was always fascinated by our family physician's ability to figure out what was wrong and be able to fix it. I am definitely a problem solver. However, people go into medicine for a wide variety of reasons and make those decisions at a variety of diffeent times.
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NEW QUESTIONS
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Q: FROM MENTEE MELANIE T. IN KY
How hard was it to find the job that you were looking for? Did you have to start small and then get promoted to achieve the job you had in mind?
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Q: FROM MENTEE ALICIA R. in REGION VII
For anyone who majored in Broadcasting or Journalism, what can I do now as a senior to prepare myself for
college courses?
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Q: FROM MENTEE MAGGIE O. FROM REGION V
How much science is involved in a major for hearing impaired communications?
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END
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GEM-SET Daily Digest for January 9, 2002
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Q: FROM MENTEE MELANIE T. IN KY
How hard was it to find the job that you were looking for? Did you have to start small and then get promoted to achieve the job you had in mind?

A: FROM MENTOR WANDA RITCHIE, SENIOR OPERATIONS MANAGER AT EASTMAN GELATINE
CORPORATION IN PEABODY, MA
Melanie, during my college education, I decided that I was most interested in working as an engineer supporting chemical manufacturing operations. I was able to find the position I wanted right after graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering. As I gained more work experience, I realized that I was also interested in leading and supervising manufacturing and technical personnel. During the past several years, I've enjoyed broadening my leadership skills, and my business and finance skills through a wide variety of leadership positions. These experiences prepared me well for my current responsibilities as site manager. The answer to the question for you will depend greatly on your personal vision and how much flexibility you wish to maintain as you learn more
about the options provided by your education and your chosen profession.

A: FROM MENTOR SHARON ROSH, DVM
You don't necessarily need to start small and work your way in a job, it truly depends on the type of job and the position you want. As a veterinarian, I work as an associate which means that I do not own the company or business, but am an employee. I would not say that I have started small and had to work my way up,but if I want to own my own business then I would have to change my focus to achieve that goal. My advice is to concentrate on the work needed to achieve each goal as you go along and if you need to change your focus to arrive at a goal then do so.

A: FROM MENTOR DANELL OLIVER-COLLINS
Knowing what kind of a job I would enjoy was harder than actually finding the job. I spent alot of time working for different companies doing different jobs until I found the type of job I liked. Which is why I am a big promoter of internships. They give you valuable experience and let you explore the different jobs out there. Once you know what you are looking for it becomes easy to find. I went into these jobs with the attitude that whatever job I did at the company it was important otherwise they wouldn't pay me for it. And while I was working I looked around at what I could aspire to. If I didn't like what I saw I knew it wasn't for me and went on to something else. When you first get out of college or technical school you will start in what is called an "entry-level position". This is a great place to start. You get a good view of the company you are working for and get valuable experience and respect from coworkers. Respect in a workplace is very important. If you look at the people in higher level positions at a company they have earned respect from their coworkers and more than likely started out in "entry-level positions" and worked their way up. In short, don't look forward without looking at and enjoying the present it'll be worth your while.

A: FROM MENTOR KRISTIN TAGHON, SOGTWARE ENGINEER AT LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES IN
NAPERVILLE, IL
When I was looking for a job in the mid 80s, the job market was not very good. At that time, I did have to start at a lower level. In my home town of Moline, IL, there were no jobs for entry level programmers or software engineers. At best, computer operator jobs were available. I began looking in the Chicago area and found that entry level programming was hard to achieve. I was sort of shy and not very good at interviewing and my grades in college had been average. So, I took a job in Quality Assurance (I tested the programs written by my colleagues.). This actually is a good place to start - understanding the system is usually where most people start their training in any programming job. Within a year, I asked to be moved to programming and they needed people so I was able to move to my requested position. I knew a person in the company who hadn't gotten a degree, started as a computer operator and moved up the ladder and learned by work experience. He worked as operator, tester, customer support, code maintenance, programmer and more. By the time I was programming, he was as well. But he was more rounded and understood the whole picture because he had learned so many aspects of the company. You can always make the most of the situation in which you find yourself. A couple years ago, the job market was GREAT for new college grads. Companies were having a hard time finding qualified candidates. Signing bonuses were abundant. Most graduates were able to land multiple job offers. Right now, the market is slow again and graduates may have to settle for less sometimes. The job market will rebound though. Odds are, by the time you graduate in 4-8 years, it will be booming again!

A: FROM NANCY VANDLING, P.E., ASSISTANT PROGRAM MANAGER, ENGINEERING AND
CONSTRUCTION DIVISION, PORT AUTHORITY IN PITTSBURGH, PA
Everyone should set their own personal goals and objectives and then adjust them as you get older to meet your needs and to do the things you love. If you set very specific goals or standards, it may be hard to find exactly what you want and then you will become frustrated. As an example, you may need to be flexible and set initial goals that are broad and very basic. When I graduated from college, my goal was to find a job in the civil engineering field, preferably dealing with transportation, and located within a reasonable distance from my home. I found a job that met these goals since they were broad and not very specific. I kept that job for a couple of years and then took another position that was different from the first job; however, it met my initial goals. As I acquired work experience, my goals changed and became more specific. I was promoted along the way based on my experience and by changing companies. Some people are content to be in the same job position doing similar work for 20 or 30 years, which truly amazes me because I like to expand my knowledge of my field and to try performing different types of related work or management of the work. Each person is different. You may decide that you want to own a company or be president of a company. That is a good goal and may require that you work in several job positions and acquire the knowledge and expertise to run a company.

A: FROM MENTOR SUZANNE FRANKS, PHD, DIRECTOR OF WOMEN IN ENGINEERING AND
SCIENCE PROGRAM AT KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY IN MANHATTAN, KS
Hi, Melanie! The hardest thing for me was to actually figure out what job, or what kind of job, I wanted. When I finished my doctoral degree, I knew I wanted a research job, but I didn't know what kind or where I wanted to live. At that time, I was married, and I let my husband decide where we were going to go (I would not do that now!
It would have to be a discussion and compromise!) Fortunately for me, he wanted to go to Europe, and I found a job in a good research lab and got to live and work in Europe for 2.5 years. The next job was much easier to find because then I had a large network of contacts and friends throughout the research world who could help me find
available positions. But then, I decided I wanted to leave university research and go into industry. It was very, very hard to get that first job in industry, because this was a change of career path, and I didn't really know anyone in industry to help me find a job. What helped was my two friends, who also wanted to go to industry; we met every week and worked on our resumes and cover letters and practiced interview skills with each other. Within a year, we had all found a job in industry. My current job actually found me! A friend contacted me and urged me to apply for the job I have now. So - it can be hard to figure out exactly what kind of job you want, and then it can be a bit difficult to get that first job or the first one in a career change - but if you just have perseverance, if you develop
a large circle of friends and contacts, and stay in touch with them, it will eventually pay off. As your career develops over time, people begin to recruit YOU for jobs!
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Q: FROM MENTEE ALICIA R. in REGION VII
For anyone who majored in Broadcasting or Journalism, what can I do now as a senior to prepare myself for
college courses?

A:FROM MENTOR TERESA ESSER, WRITER IN CAMBRIDGE, MA
There are lots of things you can do to prepare yourself for a career in print or broadcast journalism. You can start by exploiting the opportunities that are available at your high school. Does your high school have a student newspaper? Does your high school have a yearbook? Some high schools have more elaborate offerings as well, such as radio or video opportunities. Buy yourself a copy of The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law. It's bright orange. You might be able to check it out of a library. Learn to do interviews. It's easy if you have a reward structure in place, like a gig with the school newspaper. Learn to network your way to interesting interview subjects. Learn to
take notes while people are talking. Learn to use a tape recorder or minidisc recorder. (This sounds straightforward, but you have to remember to bring extra tapes and extra batteries, and to get all the settings right before the interview starts.) Spend some time writing reviews of sporting events, restaurant meals, plays, and movies. You can specialize in whatever area interests you the most. Is there someone in high school that you'd like to have an excuse to spend some more time with? Maybe you should practice interviewing him/her. Don't just choose the obvious choices. It's fun to interview artists about their art, and musicians about their music. When I was in high school skateboarding was big. If I was looking for an interesting student newspaper article now, I'd interview the skateboarders. In any sub-group there is an unspoken hierarchy. As a journalist it is your job to surf that hierarchy, collecting quotes all the way along. Look for the alpha-person. The alpha-football player, the alpha-artist, the alpha-debater, the alpha-chess player, the alpha-skater. Interview the coach. Interview the band director. You should prepare some for the interviews, but if you're in a pinch, you can always start with "Tell me a little bit about yourself." If you are interested in television journalism you should pay attention to what you look like. Make sure that your clothes are neat and clean, that your face is washed, that your hair is combed, and that you generally look presentable. If you can afford it, buy a professional-looking outfit to wear when you interview people on camera.
If you can afford it, go to the make-up counter in the mall and learn about what make-up is appropriate for your skin type. Note: I am not recommending heavy mascara and eyeliner. I am recommending that you learn how to cover any blotchy red spots that would distract the viewer's eye. Wear shirts with collars or turtlenecks rather
than collarless tee-shirts. Do not wear scoop-neck shirts that show your chest. You might be able to get an internship at the local newspaper, or at the local television station. Try to get such an internship. It's worth your time. Finally, Read the newspaper! These newspapers are free online:
<http://www.sfgate.com/>www.sfgate.com <http://www.nytimes.com/>www.nytimes.com
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/>www.washingtonpost.com <http://www.boston.com/>www.boston.com
<http://www.cnn.com/>www.cnn.com
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NEW QUESTIONS
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Q: FROM MENTEE MAGGIE O. FROM REGION V
How much science is involved in a major for hearing impaired communications?
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Q: FROM MENTEE ALEX M. IN IL
I am very interested in biology but I hate chemistry. Is it really absolutely true that you need one to have the other?
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END
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GEM-SET Daily Digest for January 10, 2002
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Q: FROM MENTEE MELANIE T. IN KY
How hard was it to find the job that you were looking for? Did you have to start small and then get promoted to achieve the job you had in mind?

A: FROM MENTOR ANNE GERRIETTS, EAGLE POINT SOFTWARE, DUBUQUE, IA
When I first started to look for a job it was first a matter of what exactly I wanted to do. As a civil engineer there are many different types of jobs that could be considered an civil engineering job. Once I decided that it was not too dificult to find a job it what I thought I wanted to do. For me, getting promoted was not a way to get to the job I wanted, but more of a way to continue in that same path.
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Q: FROM MENTEE MAGGIE O. FROM REGION V
How much science is involved in a major for hearing impaired communications?

A: FROM MENTOR MOLLY WILLIAMS, PHD, PE, ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR RESEARCH AND
GRADUATE PROGRAMS AT THE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCES, WESTERN
MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY, KALAMAZOO, MI
If you want full competence in speech and audiology, you will have to learn some basic biology, anatomy, and physiology to understand the human speech and hearing system. Also, you will need some physics to understand the mechanics of sound. Here's a link to the speech pathology and audiology programs at Western Michigan University.
<http://www.wmich.edu/hhs/sppa/index.html>http://www.wmich.edu/hhs/sppa/index.html
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Q: FROM MENTEE ALEX M. IN IL
I am very interested in biology but I hate chemistry. Is it really absolutely true that you need one to have the other?

A: FROM MENTOR MARTY WOELFEL, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY, KENTUCKY STATE
UNIVERSITY IN FRANKFORT, KY
Ahhhhhh, Alex. So many people in biology feel just as you do! I hated chemistry when I was in high school and college, too. (I made C's in organic chemistry, by far the toughest courses I EVER took!) You need to know that a whole lot of successful biologists "hated" chemistry but nonetheless are good biologists. So don't let your dislike of chemistry keep you from pursuing your interest in biology! It really is absolutely true that to major in biology, you will have to take (and pass) chemistry courses, too. And yes, there is a real "need" to know some chemistry as well--because a whole lot of biology study involves chemistry. Fundamentally, life is a bunch of carefully coordinated chemical reactions, so you just can't escape needing some chemistry knowledge if you want to be a good biologist. A lot of lab work also involves chemistry and using chemicals, and in this day and age, environmental biologists and other field biologists deal a lot with the effects of various chemicals on ecosystems and so forth. The good news is that, although you need to take and pass chemistry courses AND get so you understand a good deal of it, you kinda get to like chemistry after a while. Some of it has to do with learning stages humans go through--chemistry deals with abstractions a lot, and for people who need to see and feel what they are working with, that makes chemistry a tough area to study. The best teachers of chemistry know this and find ways to use models, computer simulations, and other techniques that help make the chemistry of atoms, molecules, and chemical reactions seem more "real" and concrete as students learn. And, as you grow older and more experienced in tackling tough subjects, you get better at dealing with the abstractions. After you have your degree in biology, you will find that a couple of things are true: first, if you still hate chemistry you can work in some sub-fields of biology where you won't use chemistry a whole lot, and second, if you've learned to like biochemistry, all sorts of subfields in biology allow you to merge your love of biology with your new-found liking of chemistry.

A: FROM MENTOR HALEY MURPHY, DVM, DIRECTOR OF VETERINARY MEDICINE AT ZOO NEW
ENGLAND IN BOSTON, MA
I also like biology but hate chemistry. I am a veterinarian and certainly needed both to get through my undergrad classes. As far as veterinary school went- biochemistry is very important and some organic chemistry is also but
for the most part- you need an understanding of how biology and chemistry work together, especially when dealing with pharmaceuticals. So- the long and short of it is they are both important but don't let your dislike of one prevent you from excelling when you realize they are intertwined.

A: FROM MENTOR DANELL OLIVER-COLLINS, RETAIL INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER AT HALLMARK
CARDS INC. IN KANSAS CITY, MO
Chemicals are the basic elements of biological entities. When you study animals and humans you break them down into species, appearances, skin, organs, and then chemicals in the organs. The only way to completely understand something is to break it down to the smallest part. You may have heard humans referred to as "carbon based units". Carbon is the basic chemical element of humans. So to answer your question, yes your going to have to study chemistry when you study biology. But let me make a suggestion, take the chemistry information you learn and try to apply it to biology which you are interested in. You can do things like analyze hair to see the chemical content in an animal or human which can tell you if certain organs are operating correctly. Have you seen the movie "Medicine Man", in it they discovered that certain ants contained a chemical in their bodies that could cure cancer. Yes it is just a movie, but those kinds of investigations do occur.

A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK, ASSOCIATE DEAN OF GRADUATE SCHOOL, BROWN UNIVERSITY
IN PROVIDENCE, RI
The way one of my colleagues put it, "The language of biology is chemistry." That is, living creatures are made of molecules, and the chemistry of those molecules determines how they live - how they metabolize food and grow, whate they look like, what they can do (are they able to move around or not?), their heredity, even how our brains work. To extend the metaphor of language, studying biology without knowing chemistry is like reading foreign literature only in translation. It can be done, but the deeper beauty may be lost, and you might end up with fundamental misunderstandings, like the horns Renaissance sculptors put on Moses' forehead. BUT there are biologists who focus more on whole organisms and their behavior, ecology, taxonomy (though that boils down to DNA, that all-important molecule) and in their day-to-day work don't think that much about the chemistry that underlies the biology they are really interested in. Everyone finds his or her own comfort level; another
colleague of mine had started out headed for medicine, switched to chemistry because he saw that to really understand life processes he needed to know what the molecules were doing, and ended up studying the structure of water because he wasn't satisfied with the explanations of how biological molecules behaved when those explanations didn't include a thorough understanding of how they behaved _in water_ - which, after all, accounts for ~90% of biomass! You may be one of those biologists who learn only the minimum chemistry necessary and then focus on levels of organization on much a larger scale than the molecular. You might think about what it is about chemistry that makes you hate it. Is it the teacher? Is it that the algebra is hard for you (that's the most common trouble for college freshmen)? Are you taking a course that doesn't address the chemistry that's of most interest to biologists? Unfortunately, a lot of the simplest molecules aren't the most biologically interesting (though my
colleague the water specialist would disagree!) and the most biologically interesting can have very complicated structures. But those complicated structures are made up of simpler parts, so the basic chemistry is, to a first approximation, the sum of the parts, and what you learn about those dull, non-bio-seeming molecules is relevant to biology after all. A good teacher can help you see those connections. You might ask what connections the topics you are studying have to biology. The gas laws, for example, are relevant to scuba divers and respiratory physiology and anesthesiology, though they seem very abstract at first. Acid/base chemistry is important to the blood and respiration. And on and on. I hope you can get past your initial dislike of chemistry and find your own "comfort level."
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Q: FROM MENTEE STEPHANIE H. IN CT
For any mentors in the field of medicine, at which point in your lives did you first become interested in your career option and also when did you decide for sure that you would be pursuing that career? (middle school, high school, college?) I'd be interested to know, because I'm a sophomore in high school and I'm pretty sure medicine is a field I would like to get into.

A: FROM MENTOR DESIREE BUTTER, MD IN PA
I had decided on medicine at a very early age. I was always fascinated by my Pediatrician's ability to "figure out what was wrong" and "fix it". I am definitely a problem solver. However, people go into medical fields for a variety of reasons. Medical fields also require an array of skills, which I had to adapt to as well. For instance, although I
thoroughly enjoy the challenges of diagnosis, most of what I do on a daily basis centers around psychosocial issues that patients have. For instance, headaches that are due to constant stress in their lives, not taking medicines because they can not afford them, not getting recommended test and blood work because they don't want to, trying to get parents of young children to stop smoking, drinking alcohol to excess and taking drugs, and so much more. However, the rewards are also great. Being able to help your patients is one of the mast rewarding experiences that you can have.
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NEW QUESTIONS
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Q: FOR ALL MENTEES FROM MENTOR SUZANNE FRANKS
Since the start of the school year last fall, what has been the most interesting or unusual thing that you did or learned in a science or math class? Why did it interest you, or what was unusual about it?
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Q: FROM MENTEE ALISSA F. in IN
Where could I look into a job in the field of astronomy? I would like to work at NASA, but I'm not sure what kind of astronomers and scientists work there.
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Q: FROM MENTEE ABBY Y. IN CT
I am a high school sophomore interested in learning more about professions in medicine and chemistry. For medicine, I have begun volunteering at a hospital, but as to chemistry, I am unsure where to search. Do you have any suggestions? Would any local universities run any internship programs?
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Q: FROM MENTEE CARA O. IN CAPE COD, MA
I am interested in becoming a paramedic but i really like making electrical wires in my computer class is there a way i could get away with doing both in one job?
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END
=========================================================================
GEM-SET Daily Digest for January 11, 2002
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: SAVE THE DATE! SATURDAY MAY 4, 2002, GEM-SET VIDEO CONFERENCE
WILL TAKE PLACE 12 NOON-2:30 CENTRAL TIME, 1:00PM-3:30 EASTERN TIME. LOCATION
IN YOUR REGION TO BE ANNOUNCED.
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MENTEES: LOOK FOR QUESTIONS FOR YOU FROM MENTORS AT THE BOTTOM OF TODAY'S
DAILY DIGEST.
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Q: FROM MENTEE ALEX M. IN IL
I am very interested in biology but I hate chemistry. Is it really absolutely true that you need one to have the other?

A: FROM MENTEE AIMEE M. IN WI
There are a lot of responses, and I feel the same way. I took biology last year, and am in chemistry this year. I also loved bology and dislike chemistry, but you definitely need chemistry for biology! I know that in AP Biology next year, my chemistry will really help me. Last year in biology we even learned chemistry. So many biological functions are completed because of chemical reactions. Maybe you could try to connect the two clases, and find out how they correspond. Ask your teachers questions about how the two are related. I think you will find chemistry a lot more interesting once you see how chemistry is in biology.
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Q: FROM MENTEE ALISSA F. in IN
Where could I look into a job in the field of astronomy? I would like to work at NASA, but I'm not sure what kind of astronomers and scientists work there.

A: FROM MENTOR JULIA HOCHBERG, MECHANICAL ENGINEER AT MOTOROLA
Start off by finding some astronomers to talk to. If you don't have a planetarium near by, try a local college or university, email or phone the astronomers, and ask them to set up a time for an interview or an afternoon for a tour of their facilities (even better if you have a school project to apply this to). Don't be shy, professionals are often flattered by this type of inquiry by students and more than happy to talk about their chosen field. Not only will they be able to inform you about their jobs, but other opportunities in research, industry, and NASA. Also, the NASA
website is a great place to start. From the home page at <http://www.nasa.gov/>www.nasa.gov, select Space Science to learn more about their missions and I think there is a link to Space Kids which will have even more information geared towards you. I spent an internship working at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland during college. Though we are mechanical engineers, my mentor and I assisted scientists (doctorates in astronomy, astrophysics, and others) to design a satellite named HESSI that will image solar flares (it has yet to be launched). Many of NASA's Space Science missions are originated and designed at Goddard and they employ many scientists there studying all kinds of space science. Go to their website at <http://www.gsfc.nasa.gov/>www.gsfc.nasa.gov. Also, as I recall, NASA has summer programs for high school students and I am sure there is information on the website. NASA is an inspiring place to work and I highly recommend the experience! Good luck with the astrnomy!

A: FROM MENTOR CASSIE FENOSEFF, DESIGN RELEASE ENGINEER AT GM NORTH AMERICA
NASA has several research centers located around the country. I applied and wasaccepted to the Langley Research Center while I was a senior in college. The internet will give you a listing of all of the locations as well as the
federalapplication forms. I also received a job offer from Boeing in Florida, which can also give you the opportunity to work on shuttles and other space-related projects. I would encourage you to pursue this interesting field.
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Q: FROM MENTEE ABBY Y. IN CT
I am a high school sophmore interested in learning more about professions in medicine and chemistry. For medicine, I have begun volunteering at a hospital, but as to chemistry, I am unsure where to search. Do you have any suggestions? Would any local universities run any internship programs?

A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK, ASSOCIATE DEAN, GRADUATE SCHOOL, BROWN UNIVERSITY IN
PROVIDENCE, RI
I searched on "summer chemistry research high school students" on Google and got some good-looking hits, but all over the country. Probably the most effective way for you to proceed is to contact local colleges - call the Chemistry Departments and ask if there are summer opportunities. Wilton High School in Connecticut has a site,
<http://www.chemistrycoach.com/home.htm>www.chemistrycoach.com/home.htm, mentioning summer advanced placement chemistry. NIH has a summer internship program for high school students, if you can got to Bethesda, MD - see <http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/funding/training/redbook/hsnihbio.htm>www.nhlbi.nih.gov/funding/training/redbook/hsnihbio.htm
I'm not trying to mention them all! There may be opportunities too in industry. If you are near Pfizer in Groton, CT, or other chemical/pharmaceutical companies, for example, it's possible they have summer jobs. In general, both colleges and industry are interested in increasing the number of Americans going into science, and summer programs are one of the ways they try to do that. Some are more organized as programs, but some are more individual placements in a research lab, where you would do whatever you're prepared to do at your early stage, and learn by doing. And see what the scientists farther along that you are actually doing - it's a good way to learn what real science is like. Good luck finding something inspirational! and congratulations on beginning to look in January rather than waiting until May.
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Q: FROM MENTEE CARA O. IN CAPE COD, MA
I am interested in becoming a paramedic but I really like making electrical wires in my computer class. Is there a way I could get away with doing both in one job?

A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK, ASSOCIATE DEAN, GRADUATE SCHOOL, BROWN UNIVERSITY IN
PROVIDENCE, RI
Think about bioengineering as a career. You could become the inventor of new diagnostic equipment, or artificial organs. Medical technicians deal with sophisticated electronic equipment and may get to interact with patients, too. Somebody has to design all that equipment - so there's a broad range of skills needed to suit every taste in science, from the basic theory to design to applications in a medical practice. It's very likely you can satisfy both your interests.

A: FROM MENTOR DR. ESTHER PEARSON IN MASSACHUSETTS:
I think it is wonderful you have an interest in medicine and technology. There are a number of companies that have 'Medical Solutions and Technology Groups". These companies hire engineers (electrical, mechanical, and computer science) who have academic training in both engineering and medicine. College will allow you to develop a course schedule that can provide academic and experiential skills in both. Also, a possibility is to become an engineer and then puruse an advocation as a volunteer paramedic. This would give you exposures to both of your interests.

A: FROM MENTOR SUZANNE FRANKS, DIRECTOR WOMEN IN ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE
PROGRAM, KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY, MANHATTAN, KS
Cara, it is great that you are enjoying your projects in your computer class! You might want to consider a career in
computer engineering or electrical engineering. You could apply your skills in these fields to medical and biomedical research areas. There are many computer and electrical engineers working in those fields. You could volunteer as a paramedic as well, and your engineering skills might come in quite handy in that as well. I encourage you to keep exploring your interests in computers and wiring, and to try to learn more about what paramedics do. Perhaps you could contact a paramedic in your community and ask them questions about their job.
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NEW QUESTIONS FOR MENTEES
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Q: FROM MARTY WOELFEL, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY, KENTUCKY STTE
UNIVERSITY IN FRANKFORT, KY
For all mentees: Some of us are spending a lot of our time thinking and writing in response to your questions. I enjoy thinking about the questions you ask, and I've enjoyed writing responses. But, as a teacher of students
I usually actually see and talk with several times a week, I'm used to getting feedback on how I'm doing. I see my students' faces and body language and can tell how interested they are in the topic I'm teaching. I give assignments, lab work, and, yes, even tests--and from the way the students perform, I get some notion of whether what I'm teaching is getting through to my students. But in this format so far, I'm not getting feedback from you. So--please give us some feedback! Is this program helping you? Has it made a difference for you so far? If so, how? Can we do things differently to help more? Thanks!
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Q: FOR ALL MENTEES FROM MENTOR SUZANNE FRANKS, DIRECTOR WOMEN IN ENGINEERING
AND SCIENCE PROGRAM, KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY, MANHATTAN, KS
Since the start of the school year last fall, what has been the most interesting or unusual thing that you did
or learned in a science or math class? Why did it interest you, or what was unusual about it?
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END
=========================================================================
GEM-SET Daily Digest for January 14, 2002
**********
ANNOUNCEMENTS: SAVE THE DATE! SATURDAY MAY 4, 2002, GEM-SET SATELLITE
BROADCAST CONFERENCE WILL TAKE PLACE 12 NOON-2:30 CENTRAL TIME, 1:00PM-3:30 EASTERN
TIME. LOCATION IN YOUR REGION TO BE ANNOUNCED.
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE ABBY Y. IN CT
I am a high school sophmore interested in learning more about professions in medicine and chemistry. For medicine, I have begun volunteering at a hospital, but as to chemistry, I am unsure where to search. Do you have any
suggestions? Would any local universities run any internship programs?

A: FROM MENTOR MARSHA SEGEBARTH, PHD, UNIVERISTY OF SOUTHERN INDIANA, BIOLOGY
DEPARTMENT
Abby, It sounds as though you have a fairly clear idea already of what you want to do! You realize that medicine is a long haul and you won't be 'specialized' as an undergraduate. Have you considered majoring in chemistry in college with the intention of applying to medical school? Many med students come in as chemistry - or biology, or biotechnology - majors rather than straight pre-med. As a chemistry undergraduate you will likely have many opportunities to do research with professors both during the academic year as well as additional summer opportunities. I expect that during those four undergraduate years you will clarify your direction. I would also encourage you to continue your volunteer work in the hospital - perhaps even shadowing physicians - in order to get a feel for their vocation.
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NEW QUESTIONS FOR MENTEES
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Q: FROM MARTY WOELFEL, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY, KENTUCKY STTE
UNIVERSITY IN FRANKFORT, KY
For all mentees: Some of us are spending a lot of our time thinking and writing in response to your questions. I enjoy thinking about the questions you ask, and I've enjoyed writing responses. But, as a teacher of students I usually actually see and talk with several times a week, I'm used to getting feedback on how I'm doing. I see my students' faces and body language and can tell how interested they are in the topic I'm teaching. I give assignments, lab work, and, yes, even tests--and from the way the students perform, I get some notion of whether what I'm teaching is getting through to my students. But in this format so far, I'm not getting feedback from you. So--please give us some feedback! Is this program helping you? Has it made a difference for you so far? If so, how? Can we do things differently to help more? Thanks!
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Q: FOR ALL MENTEES FROM MENTOR SUZANNE FRANKS, DIRECTOR WOMEN IN ENGINEERING
AND SCIENCE PROGRAM, KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY, MANHATTAN, KS
Since the start of the school year last fall, what has been the most interesting or unusual thing that you did
or learned in a science or math class? Why did it interest you, or what was unusual about it?

A: FROM MENTEE AURORA D.
Well, nothing, really. Math is boring. I like the subject but my teacher isnt a very good one. Science class moves too slow.
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NEW QUESTIONS FOR MENTORS
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Q: FROM MENTEE REBECCA H. IN WI
What are the benefits of pursuing a masters or doctoral degree? I know that sometimes you can move up the job ladder quicker.

Q: FROM MENTEE LAURA IN KY
Do you have to have a certain grade point average to get into Medical School? When you finish Medical School, what is the next step to becoming a Pediatrician?

Q: FROM MENTEE ANNA IN INDIANAPOLIS
How much math do you need for science?...I like science and hate math...

Q: FROM MENTEE TANYA H. IN MN
I am interested in astronomy and meteorology, how will my education need to be different if I choose one over the other?

Q:FROM MENTEE AMANDA F. IN WI
What kinds of jobs can women do that involve wood but is not home building?
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END
=========================================================================
GEM-SET Daily Digest for January 15, 2002
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: SAVE THE DATE! SATURDAY MAY 4, 2002, GEM-SET SATELLITE
BROADCAST CONFERENCE WILL TAKE PLACE 12 NOON-2:30 CENTRAL TIME, 1:00PM-3:30 EASTERN
TIME. LOCATION IN YOUR REGION TO BE ANNOUNCED.
************
Q: FOR ALL MENTEES FROM MENTOR SUZANNE FRANKS, DIRECTOR WOMEN IN ENGINEERING
AND SCIENCE PROGRAM, KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY, MANHATTAN, KS
Since the start of the school year last fall, what has been the most interesting or unusual thing that you did
or learned in a science or math class? Why did it interest you, or what was unusual about it?

A: FROM MENTOR ERIN R. IN KY
One of the things I have learned in Biology is that there is a formula for Photosynthesis. I never knew
there was a formula. I thought that was very strange.

A: FROM MENTEE ANNE MARIE G. IN REGION VII
We have had three different math teachers and have gone over the beginning of the book three times. My aunt actually had to tutor me for my high school placement test.

RESPONSE FOR MENTEE AURORA D. WHO THINKS MATH IS BORING AND SCIENCE CLASS IS
TOO SLOW, FROM JOAN LUSK
You might ask your science teacher to recommend a book that could take you farther, faster, or ask if you could do a special project instead of some of the slow boring stuff. You remind me of two experiences from high school: my algebra teacher saw that I found the class slow and boring and started me on some puzzles that involved making pictures by graphing conic sections. I found that fun and it must have made graphs in general more intuitively
meaningful to me. (And it kept me quiet during class, which was probably her immediate goal.) The second memory is that biology was boring because it seemed that all we did was learn the names of things, and that didn't strike me
as worth the effort - names are just labels and don't help you understand much (though perhaps they do more than I thought at the time!) So I never took a biology course again - until graduate school while I was turning into a biochemist. That wasn't a very constructive response on my part - to turn my back on biology in the exciting times right after the structure of DNA had been deciphered. See if you can't find a topic related to your science class that will keep you interested and engaged, moving as fast as you can. Good luck!
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Q: FROM MENTEE REBECCA H. IN WI
What are the benefits of pursuing a masters or doctoral degree? I know that sometimes you can move up the job ladder quicker.

A: FROM MENTOR MINI VARUGHESE, PHD, ACCOUNT REP. AT STEMCELL TECHNOLOGIES IN
GERMANTOWN, MD
Quite a lot of universities will sign you up for a Masters degree but once you have met the minimum requirements, like passage of the oral exam, you get streamlined into a doctoral degree without ever receiving a Masters degree. A Masters can be somewhat valuable in industry, to garner more pay. My honest gut experience has been a Master's in science is useless. Unless you get an MBA or law degree in addition to a Masters. That is a nice
combination. Otherwise, get the Ph.D. but be aware that a Ph.D. is rarely enough these days to ensure a position in the job market either. You will more than likely need postdoctoral training afterwards.

A: FROM MENTOR DR. ESTHER PEARSON IN MASSACHUSETTS
There a numerous benefits obtained from obtaining a masters or doctoral degree. In terms of job opportunities and their salaries, masters and doctoral degree employees are paid an average of 15 -20% more than a bachelor degree employee. In terms of job mobility and promotability, graduate degree employees have demonstrated academic discipline and the ability to perform in-depth research and analysis in a subject area and thus they are awarded higher level jobs, responsibilities and assignments. But remember that having a masters or doctorate will open-doors for you and give you additional opportunities, but you still must do the work to provide evidence of the value you bring to a job.
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Q: FROM MENTEE ANNA IN INDIANAPOLIS
How much math do you need for science? I like science and hate math...

A: FROM MENTOR MEG WILLIAMS, TECHNICAL MANAGER AT COMPAQ COMPUTER CORP. IN
NASHUA, NH
Anna, math is the fundamental for all science. I know of no programs where the higher level math's (algebra, geometry and calculus) are not a prerequisite for a science program. The question I have for you why do you
hate math? Personally, math was one of my favorite subjects. It was like solving puzzles for me. However, having recently helped a couple of my friends 6th and 7th grade daughters with their math homework I can see why people today would hate math. One of the biggest issues I had was they had no text book explaining to them the how's and whys of what they were doing. It seemed the expectation was that they could figure out these problems without some practical guidance on how to solve the problems. I told them I could give them an answer for the problem and tell the process I used to solve the problem, but I was not sure it was the process they were intended to learn. Math in the early stages is about process and procedures and if you don't get the basics from the onset it can be very frustrating!

A: FROM MENTOR DANELL OLIVER-COLLINS, RETAIL INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER AT HALLMARK
CARDS, INC., IN KANSAS CITY, MO
Science and math go hand in hand. I like to say that physics is just fancy math story problems. I loved science when I was in high school and only did math because it explained the science and then I began not to mind the math so much because I was doing more than math problems over and over I was using math to solve the science problems which was very interesting. It is amazing how much math sneaks into our lives. Think of the movie "Contact". In it Jodie Foster's character uses math as a way to communicate with aliens. And how about the space shuttle, NASA uses math to plot the path the space shuttle will take when it is in space. When you go to college if you pursue any science degree plan on taking math classes all the way up to calculus. If you go into the Physics, Astronomy
or Engineering side of science you will have to take 3 calculus classes and a differential equations class. Don't be scared it isn't that bad. Once you get past the basics it really is quite fun because you start applying it to real life.

A: FROM MENTOR MOLLY WILLIAMS PHD, PE, ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR RESEARCH AND
GRADUATE PROGRAMS, COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCES AT WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY IN KALAMAZOO, MI
Anna, you need a lot of mathematics for most science programs. You will need at least two semesters of calculus, and perhaps two additional semesters beyond that for linear algebra, differential equations, and statistics. Pretty intimidating, huh? Actually, developments in science have driven the development of mathematics. Calculus was "invented" by Isaac Newton in order to describe and predict the motion of stars and planets. I suspect that your
dislike of mathematics may result from your not understanding what it's good for. While there are some mathematicians who just like the abstract beauty of mathematics, there are scientists and engineers who depend on mathematics as a tool to analyze their data and to design solutions to problems. Stay with the mathematics. You can't do science without mathematics. And mathematics will become more enjoyable when you see more examples of what it's good for.

A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK, ASSOCIATE DEAN, GRADUATE SCHOOL, BROWN
UNIVERSITY, IN PROVIDENCE RI
There's a big range, from the very highly mathematical theories of physics and engineering to subjects in biology and chemistry that involve rather little. In nearly all branches you need to use some algebra - you need to be able to set up equations and solve them in order to use the answers in the interesting part of the work. You may need enough statistics to design experiments so that the results have a chance of being significant. To be honest, I can remember only once needing calculus to derive a model for my experimental situation - but that once was vital to avoiding going down the wrong path. After they're out of school, scientists tend to work in groups, and if math is important to the work there may well be one person who specializes in the mathematical or statistical aspects and
others who specialize in other things. Each person doesn't have to be perfect in each aspect of the work.
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Q: FROM MENTEE TANYA H. IN MN
I am interested in astronomy and meteorology, how will my education need to be different if I choose one over the other?

A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK, ASSOCIATE DEAN, GRADUATE SCHOOL, BROWN UNIVERSITY,
IN PROVIDENCE RI
Isn't the biggest difference the time scale most of the events? An astronomer looks mostly at events that happened long ago, and mostly change slowly over millions or billions of years (punctuated by the occasional supernova.) An astronomer needs patience - patience to build sophisticated equipment and perhaps to wait for a chance to blast it into space, or to wait for time on a major telescope. And then the patience to analyze the data. Perhaps it's poetic justice that an astronomer needs to be far-sighted in the metaphorical sense. Events in meteorology are happening on a time scale of hours, minutes, days and weeks, with a passing nod at climate change over decades and centuries. The chaos of weather takes place fast enough that a human can watch it happen. The problem is distinguishing
important patterns from a lot of rapidly changing data. I think the differences are more differences in temperament than in overall education - do you want something new every day or are you willing to wait for something _really big_ once in a lifetime? Do you like to think about things close by, here and now, or things far away in both space and time? Do you care more about immediate practical applications or cosmic significance? Both fields combine
empirical observation and mathematical models, and there must be room for practitioners all along the empirical/theoretical scale of thinking. Of course either field can give you a crick in your neck from looking up at the sky! ;-)
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Q:FROM MENTEE AMANDA F. IN WI
What kinds of jobs can women do that involve wood but is not home building?

A: FROM MENTOR MINI VARUGHESE, PHD, ACCOUNT REP. AT STEMCELL TECHNOLOGIES IN
GERMANTOWN, MD
Forestry is one idea.

A: FROM MENTOR MOLLY WILLIAMS, PHD, PE, ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR RESEARCH AND
GRADUATE PROGRAMS, COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCES AT WESTERN
MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY IN KALAMAZOO, MI
Amanda, opportunities go from very creative art careers (There are some lovely sculptures from wood.) to more very practical engineering areas, like furniture design and manufacturing, design of models for the car industry, construction of musical instruments, design and construction of timber structures such as buildings and bridges. And, if you don't mind munching up the wood, there is the whole pulp and paper industry as well. Wood is an unusual material because it behaves very differently in different directions depending on how the grain is oriented. Also, it is sensitive to temperature and humidity. That means that whenever you design or build something from wood, you need to consider how its properties change with the environment. Also, there are many different kinds of wood, all with different appearance and mechanical properties.

A: FROM MENTOR LINDA FUSELIER, RA, UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY IN LEXINGTON, KY
There are many jobs that involve woodworking or other things having to do with wood and/or trees. Responsible logging is a very important job right now and there are women who run logging companies that are as environmentally friendly as logging can be. They know about the forest communities and know wood to know
which trees are safe to cut and which are money makers. If you are more into woodworking, luthiers build musical instruments from scratch. I knew someone who cut trees for a logging company and used her own sawmill to cut special pieces of wood to make musical instruments like guitars and dulcimers. There are many types of woodworking that are more like art than they are like building. I think working with wood from the very beginning - the tree - is a cool thing to do with your skills.

A: FROM MENTOR DANELL OLIVER-COLLINS, RETAIL INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER, HALLMARK
CARDS, INC.IN KANSAS CITY, MO
How about Art design in wood materials. Such as furniture, sculptures, or exotic deocrations. You could design your own line of furniture. My company uses wood display cases to display their product in stores. You know what would be a very good way to see how the industrial design field uses wood in their projects, go shopping. When you go into a popular store look at their displays, the shape and color of the wood and how it complements the product. There is also the small but very interesting area of winery. Wine is aged in wood barrels. The type of wood used will seep into the taste of the wine. I strongly suggest looking into industrial design or wood technology as a college degree for any of these areas.

A: FROM MENTOR MEG WILLIAMS, TECHNICAL MANAGER, COMPAQ COMPUTER CORP. IN
NASHUA, NH
Amanda, a couple jobs that I know of that involve wood include: working as a Forest Ranger, or as a forest manager, or pulp and paper engineer for a Paper Company. For the first 2 you would look at degrees in forestry and the third is a chemical engineering based degree. I am not sure if schools in WI have these types of degrees, but certainly schools in Michigan, the Northwest, and the Northeast have these types of programs.
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NEW QUESTIONS
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE ALAYNA M. IN MN
What kinds of jobs are related to histology? And what kinds of classes should you take in high school?

Q: FROM MENTEE ALISSA F. IN REGION V
I am interested in astronomy. What college would I need to go to? Are there certain colleges that only teach astronomy?
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END
=========================================================================
GEM-SET Daily Digest for January 16, 2002
**********
ANNOUNCEMENTS: SAVE THE DATE! SATURDAY MAY 4, 2002, GEM-SET SATELLITE
BROADCAST CONFERENCE WILL TAKE PLACE 12 NOON-2:30 CENTRAL TIME, 1:00PM-3:30 EASTERN
TIME. LOCATION IN YOUR REGION TO BE ANNOUNCED.
************
Q: FOR ALL MENTEES FROM MENTOR SUZANNE FRANKS, DIRECTOR WOMEN IN ENGINEERING
AND SCIENCE PROGRAM, KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY, MANHATTAN, KS
Since the start of the school year last fall, what has been the most interesting or unusual thing that you did or learned in a science or math class? Why did it interest you, or what was unusual about it?

A:FROM MENTEE JESSICA M. IN VT
The most interesting thing which I have learned in math class was how employers figure out time cards for their employees. I learned the 3 minute rule for each quarter hour that applies to time cards. It's a rule in which 3 minutes after each quarter of the hour is rounded to the closest quarter. For example, if someone punches in at 8:48 A.M. their time is rounded to 8:45 A.M. instead of 8:50 A.M. I have also learned how to figure out the amount of employee income, social security and medicare tax a person pays out of their paycheck per week. So far this year I've learned a lot from school involving math and hope to continue learning more each day.
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Q: FROM MENTEE REBECCA H. IN WI
What are the benefits of pursuing a masters or doctoral degree? I know that sometimes you can move up the job ladder quicker.

A: FROM MENTOR RAMONA GRAY, STAFF CHEMIST AT MERCK, IN NJ
Obtaining a Master's/Doctorate degree is a personal choice. It is true that some colleges/universities are getting rid of the Master's program all together, but it's all about what you want. I chose to pursue a Master's Degree and I have to disagree with anyone who says it's useless. At the time I made my choice, I wasn't sure if i wanted a PhD in Chemistry or another field. I knew i enjoyed research, though. As far as salary is concerned, the general rule is the more education you have the more money you make. So I'm paid more than a Bachelor but less than a PhD and I'm fine with that. It's all a matter of what you want to do.
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Q: FROM MENTEE ANNA IN INDIANAPOLIS
How much math do you need for science?...I like science and hate math...

A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK IN RESPONSE TO MEG WILLIAMS COMMENTS FROM THE 1/15
DAILY DIGEST CONCERNING MATH TEXTBOOKS AND PROBLEM PROCESSES:
I think one of the weaknesses of math textbooks is that they tend to give the impression that there is only one right way to solve a problem. That's completely untrue - there are always lots of ways to get from A to B, validly, and some are easier to understand, others are more efficient, etc. Some time ago I came across an ancient Chinese proof of the Pythagorean theorem that looked as if it would make a terrific quilt pattern. (I think I found it in one of Edward Tufte's books on displaying visual information effectively - wonderful books for anyone interested in graphs.) Euclid would not have allowed it because it combined geometry with algebra - but that's an arbitrary
restriction, not a necessary one. So I went looking for other proofs, thinking that others might also be visually elegant, and I found one book containing _365_ different proofs, and another by a WWI soldier, E. Mérel: Pour s'amuser dans la tranchée, to pass time in the trenches ... 16 démonstrations du théorème de Pythagore , Published Paris, Nancy, Berger-Levrault, 1916. Alas, that Chinese proof was the only one that was pretty enough to make into a quilt; and it's a LOT easier to follow than Euclid's proof! But just imagine that French soldier in the trenches, doing mathematical proofs to stay sane. I wish I could put a drawing right here.
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Q: FROM MENTEE ALISSA F. IN REGION V
I am interested in astronomy. What college would I need to go to? Are there certain colleges that only teach astronomy?

A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK, ASSOCIATE DEAN, GRADUATE SCHOOL AT BROWN UNIVERSITY
IN PROVIDENCE, RI
I did a search on "college astronomy" to check my impression that astronomy is often taught in physics departments - that is indeed true. You need pretty sophisticated math and physics to study the big bang, the great wall, supernovas, black holes, and so forth, so you should choose a college with strong math and physics programs as
well as astronomy. It's pretty amazing that we can think so rigorously about what happened so long ago and far away.

A: FROM MENTOR DANELL OLIVER-COLLINS, RETAIL INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER, HALLMARK
CARDS, INC.IN KANSAS CITY, MO
I believe either the University of Colorado or Colorado University has an astronomy program and I am assuming there is a university in New Hampshire who has a programs also because they have a large observatory there. I
think I have also heard of one in New Mexico. Astronomy is the the physics area on your course lists. I believe that if you look up observatories you may find universities who are linked to them. Or you may be able to do a
general search for Astronomy programs among the universities
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NEW QUESTIONS
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Q:FROM MENTEE ANNE MARIE IN INDY
We are doing an invention convention this year-(mandatory), and I can't even begin to think of anything that I could actually assemble and understand? I need some tips!!
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Q:FROM MENTOR AMANDA H. IN KY
I am currently in a school to work class in school. I was wondering how much this class will help me with my education and a career in the future?
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Q: FROM MENTOR ERIN R.
I want to major in pre-med in college but I'm going to be a dermatologist. Would I still need the 3 years of
residency? If not, what classes would I take in order to get prepared for dermatology?
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Q: FROM MENTEE ALAYNA M. IN MN
What kinds of jobs are related to histology? And what kinds of classes should you take in high school?
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END
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GEM-SET Daily Digest for January 17, 2002
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Q:FROM MENTEE ANNE MARIE IN INDY
We are doing an invention convention this year-(mandatory), and I can't even begin to think of anything that I could actually assemble and understand? I need some tips!!

A:FROM MENTOR DEIRDRE DANIELS, MS, ASSOCIATE SCIENTIST AT MIDWEST RESEARCH
INSTITUTE IN KANSAS CITY
I remember having to participate in an invention convention when I was in 6th grade. It was a lot of fun, but I agree that it was difficult to come up with an idea. Just remember that an invention doesn't have to be a completely novel idea. Many of today's products are based on ideas that already exist. Think of things you use in everyday life that could maybe use an improvement, keep in mind that you can't re-invent something that already exists and see where that takes you.

A: FROM MENTOR MARTY CHINTALA, RESEARCH BIOLOGIST, USEPA, ATLANTIC ECOLOGY
DIVISION, IN NARRAGANSETT, RI
Anne Marie, I think the first thing you can try is to think of the kinds of things that interest you, and then go from there. For example, do you like planes or flying, or do you prefer things in the water or things that are like cars, etc? Then you can look online or in the library for some books on how these things work. You can also think about things that you wish you had at certain times, such as something to extract a pen from behind your desk without removing it- that's how things like post-it notes got invented. There is a show on The Learning
Channel that I find interesting and may help you with ideas- it's called "Junkyard Wars" (they even have a website also). The teams have something that they are supposed to build and they have to get the parts from the junkyard and make it in 10 hours. Of course, they do make some more sophisticated things, but they also explain in layman's terms the engineering principles behind things. After watching that show, I now know more about how things like catapults and engines work and make it easier for me to figure out how to make them.

A: FROM MENTOR SUZANNE FRANKS, DIRECTOR, WOMEN IN ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE
PROGRAM, KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY, IN MANHATTAN, KS
Anne Marie, there are a lot of good resources on the web for stuff like this. Check out www.tryscience.org
There is a cool experiment on there for a very simple apparatus that allows you to measure lung capacity (how much
volume of air in one breath.) All you need for this is a plastic basin (like a dishpan), an empty two liter soda bottle,
some lengths of plastic tubing (try a hardward store), masking tape, and a marking pen. I tried this out recently and it was a lot of fun and the results were surprising to everyone in the group I did it with. You may find other things on the TryScience web site that interest you. Also try the National Engineering Week web site for students
http://www.eweek.org/2002/Students/index.shtml There are links to cool experiments and ideas that should fit into an invention convention! It sounds like fun. I wish I could be there to see it! Be sure to let us know what you end up
doing and how it works out!

A:FROM MENTOR DANELL OLIVER-COLLINS, RETAIL INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER, HALLMARK
CARDS, INC.IN KANSAS CITY, MO
Make some kind of plastic. You can make something like silly putty, Flubber, etc. Or make something from plastic you have around your house. For instance, take some saran wrap, crush it into a big ball and put it in the oven with the temperature below 250 degrees. When it is completely melted you should be able to pour this into a mold that has been coated with wax (like pouring ceramics). When the plastic is cool you can pop it out and it takes the shape of your mold hopefully without discoloration or burning. The reason why this works is because saran wrap is a
thermoplastic type of plastic which means it can be melted and reformed several times before it degrades. There are many other thermoplastics around the house that can easily me melted and reformed such as the clear wrap on meat from the supermarket, ziploc bags, trash bags, anything thin and stretchy. Fingernail polish remover is great to add to melted plastic also. It has a chemical element that can break down the plastic polymer chain and allow it to reform to a new chain. Putting fingernail polish onto styrofoam is a great demonstration of the breakdown I am talking about. There are many things you can do with household plastic items, just play around with them. Watch them change colors, consistency, etc. To understand what is happening when you do this you can talk to your chemistry teacher or look it up on the internet. Here is another suggestion. Styrofoam is an sound and weather insulator, you can take chunck of packing stryofoam and change its shape for fit whatever you want to insulate. Try these great sites for more ideas http://www.scienceproject.com/
http://www.netroglycerine.com/scitoys/scitoys/about.html, http://rockhoundingar.com/pebblepups/growcryst.html

A:FROM MENTOR TERESA ESSER in CAMBRIDGE, MA
First of all, I think you should say thank you to whomever is providing you with such an excellent educational opportunity! You are very lucky to have such forward-thinking teachers. The best way to succeed in a controlled assignment such as this is to find out what the teacher's unstated goals are. Is this project for math class? For science class? For physics class? For English class? Has the teacher given you any examples about what you can and cannot do? The United States Patent and Trademark Office (www.uspto.gov (NOT .com)) defines inventions and innovations pretty broadly. I am in the process of registering a trademark for a series of books about high-tech startup companies. Before I invented this series of books, they did not exist. I hope to derive a great deal of money
from this series of books. Would your teacher accept a new and unusual book series as an invention? Okay, let's say there are some definite rules about what you can and cannot consider an invention. Has your teacher given you a set of materials to work with? If so, maybe you should sit down with these materials and see what comes to mind. If you have the ability, move this set of materials to a new environment and place them on the table. Or on the floor. Stack the materials on top of one another. Scramble them up. Bang them together. Read about the different materials. IF the materials are shoddy and they break, maybe you should invent a more robust set of materials that will not break. Read a book called "The Design of Everyday Things" by Donald A. Norman. If you have not been provided with a set of materials to work with, then you have the freedom to do whatever you like. The US Patent and Trademark Office allows inventors to receive patents for a novel way of doing things, as well as for a new physical thing. Can you think of a new way to throw a basketball into a garbage can? Maybe by twirling around and singing while you throw the baskteball? Can you think of a new way to tear the wrapper off a candy bar? (I know someone who filed a provisional utility patent on a novel way of opening a candy bar. I'm serious.) You might consider looking at "Patent it Yourself" by Patent Attorney David Pressman. You might find this book in your public library. Or you might find any book on patents. You can patent all kinds of crazy and ridiculous things. Is there anything fun and important that you might WANT to invent, like, say, a video game for girls? How about a board game for girls? You might obtain a copy of Utopian Entrepreneur by Brenda Laurel (2001, MIT Press.) Brenda Laurel had a company called Purple Moon which created video games for girls.

A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK, ASSOCIATE DEAN, GRADUATE SCHOOL BROWN UNIVERSITY IN
PROVIDENCE, RI
Have you tried thinking backwards from what problems you'd like to see solved, rather than forward from what you know how to do? Even the most fantastic wishful thinking might start you on a path towards a feasible invention. Try imagining wildly utopian conditions - write down 10 wishes without thinking at all about whether you can actually implement them - and then go back and think what might actually be done along those lines to reach those goals, or similar but less fantastic goals. (You'll need to abide by the convention's rules about how much help you can get from others - but once you have a goal you can research how to get there.) It's _hard_ to be original. To paraphrase my thesis advisor, "All the easy inventions have been made." (He said, "All the easy experiments have been done.") But somebody once thought of dishwashers and self-cleaning ovens... What are your least favorite chores? What magical Hogwarts feature might you implement with Muggle techniques - project an enchanted ceiling? Invisibility cloaks would be harder. ;-) Last night on PBS I learned that Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens, rather) had 3 US patents to his credit! Even an artist can make a real invention. Alas, Ken Burns didn't tell us _what_ he'd invented... I wonder if it had to do with cigars. There's a series of funny books that could either inspire you to make a silly invention or convince you that nothing new could possibly remain to be invented! This info from Amazon.com 101 Unuseless Japanese Inventions : The Art of Chindogu -- by Kenji Kawakami, et al; Paperback
Our Price: $10.36 -- Or buy used from $6.50 99 More Unuseless Japanese Inventions : The Art of Chindogu -- by Kenji Kawakami (Photographer), Dan Papia (Translator); Paperback Our Price: $10.36 -- Or buy used from $7.95
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Q:FROM MENTOR AMANDA H. IN KY
I am currently in a school to work class in school. I was wondering how much this class will help me with my education and a career in the future?

Q: FOR AMANDA FROM MENTOR KRISTIN TAGHON:
Hi, Amanda, What is a "school to work" class?

A:FROM MENTOR DANELL OLIVER-COLLINS, RETAIL INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER, HALLMARK
CARDS, INC.IN KANSAS CITY, MO
A lot, stick with it. Technical skills like the ones you are learning will get in the door of many companies.

A: FROM MENTOR MARY CHINTALA, RESEARCH BIOLOGIST AT THE USEPA, ATLANTIC
ECOLOGY DIVISION IN NARRAGANSETT, RI
Amanda, My experience with school to work programs has always been good. I think that for you, participating in such a program will be beneficial in many ways. For one, it will help you get some real-life experience before you leave high school in a field you may be interested in pursuing. Many students don't get that chance otherwise. It will
also help you to start to develop relationships with professionals in a future field that could be of help in getting into college or getting a job because they could write a reference for you that details more than just your book learning ability, but your ability to transfer knowledge into real life work situations. These programs also show that you have
some initiative and strong interest in a particular field, which can be very helpful for you in the future. And of course, by taking part in the school to work program, you are getting to experience what a certain career or job is like. And you may find out that you really don't like that at all and may want to pursue a different avenue of study. Keep going with the program if you can- I know that I look more favorably on students when they go through that kind of experience.
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Q: FROM MENTEE ALAYNA M. IN MN
What kinds of jobs are related to histology? And what kinds of classes should you take in high school?

A: FROM MENTOR SHARON ROSH, DVM, EDGEBROOK ANIMAL HOSPITAL IN EAST BRUNSWICK,
NJ
There are a number of jobs related to histology. You could, for example, work as a pathologist in private practice or
a hospital. You could work as a veterinary pathologist. You could work for the police department in the forensics divistion. I could go on and on, but the point is any job that deals with people or animals could be seen as a potential position for someone with strong skills in histology. Good classes to concentrate on would be physiology, anatomy, and chemistry. Also cell biology is a must.

A:FROM MENTOR MINI VARUGHESE, PHD, ACCOUNT REP. AT STEMCELL TECHNOLOGIES
With a histology degree, you can work at a company (pharmaceutical or biotech), university, hospital, or lab service center. Lab service centers are where PAP smears etc are sent by doctors offices. In histology labs, you will analyze sections of tissue for the presence or absence of a disease state using fluorescent, radioactive, or some other sort of identifying marker. Sometimes, its just looking at the overall change in a piece of tissue. With an advanced degree and training, you could run a core histology facility or spearhead research in histology. The classes you will need in high school are the basic science courses. Biology, Chemistry, Cell Biology, and so on. You can get a position in a
histology laboratory without a bachelor's degree. Quite a lot of histology is knowing what you are looking at and that is on the job training. But if you don't want a dead end career, while working as a histologist, keep learning and take courses in cell biology, physiology, biochemistry, etc.

A: FROM MENTOR MARY CHINTALA, RESEARCH BIOLOGIST AT THE USEPA, ATLANTIC
ECOLOGY DIVISION IN NARRAGANSETT, RI
Alayna, I asked a colleague who is a histologist to respond to your question. Her answer follows (she said you are free to contact her at the following email if you have any questions: borsay.dodi@epa.gov): Histology related jobs include: laboratory histologist at a pharmaceutical company, cosmetic and chemical companies, histology technician & histology technologist & medical technicians at hospitals, university settings often have histology related positions within the marine or zoology departments to support ongoing research, research and veterinary diagnostic services, state labs, and government labs are also an option. Coursework to support histology certification in a high school setting would include anatomy, biology, chemistry, and physics. Some high schools also have health or medical classes theses days also. I would refer your student to check out the <http://www.nsh.org/>http://www.nsh.org
website for the National Society for Histotechnologists for more info too. The "VIR" tab on the homepage also accesses the Veterinary, Research, and Industry Section of the national society. Often there is a certification in histology required to maintain licensure to perform clinical services. The American Society of Clinical Pathologists (<http://www.ascp.org/>http://www.ascp.org) offers certification exams and lab practicals to obtain HT(ASCP) and HTL(ASCP) and IH(ASCP) board of registry qualification. There are college coursework, job experience and training, and specific procedural knowledge required to qualify to sit for these different exams. Starting in January 2005 the high school route for taking the ASCP Board of Registry HT certification exam will be discontinued. This means a college degree or completion of specialize histotechnology program will be needed to sit for these boards. You can see a list of the schools offering histotechnology at
<http://www.nsh.org/education/schools.html>http://www.nsh.org/education/schools.html.

A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK AT BROWN UNIVERSITY
I'm not a doctor, but I did take histology in grad school to make up for my deficient biology background. The best use I've noticed in real life is in medicine, for diagnosis - reading PAP smears, examining blood cells for leukemia and so on. Understanding what healthy cells look like is the first step, and recognizing the different appearance of cells in diseases comes next. I keep saying what a wide range of tastes can be accommodated within science. For me, the histology course was fun, and the slides were esthetically attractive, but I preferred experiments that gave quantitative results to experiments in which the evidence was more qualitative visual appearances. I think one of of the modern trends has been to try to get machines and computers to screen slides for abnormal cells; but on the human scale at least human beings are far better than computers in recognizing objects, so I'm not sure how much we've been able to automate visual screening. There's definitely room for improvement - reading PAP smears is by no means 100% accurate. In high school, general biology and chemistry would be the best background to get. Making the cells visible depends on chemical staining procedures, which you need chemistry to understand. Some of the most specific staining involves antibodies, so immunology is relevant. If you'd like to be the one who invents automatic screening techniques, engineering, computer science and artificial intelligence come into play.
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NEW QUESTIONS
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Q: FROM MENTEE ERIN R.
I want to major in pre-med in college but I'm going to be a dermatologist. Would I still need the 3 years of
residency? If not, what classes would I take in order to get prepared for dermatology?
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Q: FROM MENTEE AMBER IN KY
I am wanting to be a Pediatric Onologist. How do classes I will take vary from those of a regular Oncologist? Do they at all?
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GEM-SET Daily Digest for January 18, 2002
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: There will be no daily digest on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 21, 2001.
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Q:FROM MENTOR AMANDA H. IN KY
I am currently in a school to work class in school. I was wondering how much this class will help me with my education and a career in the future?

Q: FOR AMANDA FROM MENTOR KRISTIN TAGHON IN IL
Hi, Amanda, What is a "school to work" class?
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Q: FROM MENTEE AMBER IN KY
I am wanting to be a Pediatric Onologist. How do classes I will take vary from those of a regular Oncologist? Do they at all?

A: FROM MENTOR DESIREE BUTTER, MD IN PA
The medical school classes and most of the clinical rotations that you take during medical school will be chosen for you. You will, however, have the opportunity to take elective clinical rotations during both your 3rd and 4th year of medical school that can be in any medical specialty that you choose.
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Q:FROM MENTEE ANNE MARIE IN INDY
We are doing an invention convention this year-(mandatory), and I can't even begin to think of anything that I could actually assemble and understand? I need some tips!!

A: FROM MENTOR CHRISTINE KUTA, PATENT ATTORNEY WITH PERKINS, SMITH & COHEN IN
BOSTON, MA
Most inventions come about when the inventor is trying to solve a problem. One way to think of something for your convention is to notice the things that you use in your daily life. Is there a problem with one of them? Would you redesign it to make it easier to use or to make it work better? Or is there something that you would like to do but there is no tool or device for it? It does not have to be complicated or hard to understand. The United States Patent and Trademark Office web site (www.uspto.gov) has patent searching capabilities. Check it out. There are many patents for "simple" inventions there and you might get some ideas.
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NEW QUESTIONS
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Q: FROM MENTEE AUTUMN N. with Region VII
I have a question. I am in two classes working for four certifications (A+ certification, Network+, I-net, and MCP 2000). I have much that i have to look forward to in the future especcially with all of these certifications. I just took the A+ core before Christmas and i failed(that was frustrating) and i now feel very unmotivated and i plan to retake, but is it so hmuch harder than ti thought! Do you have any study tips or anything like that? I would appriciate it!
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Q: FROM MENTEE LINDSEY M. IN KY
I am aware of the fact that you should consider the use of technology when choosing your career. I was wondering if you could send me a list of some good jobs that aren't directly computer related, but still use technology for the future.
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Q: FROM MENTEE ERIN R.
I want to major in pre-med in college but I'm going to be a dermatologist. Would I still need the 3 years of
residency? If not, what classes would I take in order to get prepared for dermatology?
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END
=========================================================================
GEM-SET Daily Digest for January 22, 2002
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR NEW QUESTIONS, GO TO THE BOTTOM OF THE
DAILY DIGEST.
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Q: FROM MENTEE AUTUMN N. with Region VII
I have a question. I am in two classes working for four certifications (A+ certification, Network+, I-net, and MCP 2000). I have much that i have to look forward to in the future especcially with all of these certifications. I just took the A+ core before Christmas and i failed(that was frustrating) and i now feel very unmotivated and i plan to retake, but is it so hmuch harder than ti thought! Do you have any study tips or anything like that? I would appriciate it!

A: FROM MENTOR AIMEE WILLOZ, STAFF FIRMWARE ENGINEER WITH SEAGATE
TECHNOLOGY IN MN
Autumn, I had a similar experience my third semester in college. I found my classes extremely difficult, and I didn't see how they led into anything I would find interesting. For my fourth semester I decided to take a couple fun electives and cut down a bit on the technical classes. This gave me time to remember why I wanted to major in Computer Engineering or to figure out if I wanted to change my major. As far as study tips go, my best recommendation is to look for how the things you're learning fit together. I think new material makes a lot more sense and is easier to remember when I can fit it into a mental framework. One other consideration - If you're finding it hard to focus, do you know what your best study environment is? For me, it's drowning out the background noise with instrumental music. A friend of mine needs to take frequent "wiggle breaks". Also, to show you that there's hope, I've been in the computer engineering profession for ten years now, and I love it! Good luck and hang in there!

A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK, ASSOCIATE DEAN, GRADUATE SCHOOL BROWN UNIVERSITY IN
PROVIDENCE, RI
I don't even know what A+ certification, Network+, I-net, and MCP 2000 are! But I do know that it's important not to get discouraged too easily. So many successful people go through many failures and rejections before they succeed. What you can do is analyze _why_ you didn't pass the first time. Are you simply trying to do to much at
one time (is 4 certifications at once a reasonable goal?) What aspects of each is the most challenging and why - do you need more preparation, are you trying to do too much that lies outside your strongest aptitudes, are your study habits good? Do you manage time well and study with goals in mind and a plan? If you outline specific goals and study and read with those goals in mind, your studying can be more effective. Many textbooks include summaries and review questions that can help you figure out what the important parts really are. Making up your own exam questions is another way to think about what the important ideas are. I think this is generally true so that I might even be making sense without knowing anything about the content A+ certification, Network+, I-net, or MCP
2000 is. If I'm being totally foolish at least you can have a good laugh. Good luck! (You make your own good and bad luck, you know.)

A: FROM MENTOR KRISTIN TAGHON, SOFTWARE ENGINEER AT LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES IN IL
Autumn, Do not feel discouraged about failing your A+ core test. Believe it or not, most certification tests are very hard and many people do not pass it the first time through. If you look at CPAs (Certified Public Accountant), they
have multiple parts, and many accountants talk about passing only 1 or 2 parts the first time. So, the first thing to do before retaking the test, is to let go of that disappointment. Hopefully, you'll become more motivated if you do. Is there a workbook you can get that will cover common questions in the test? You could go through a workbook if there is one. Also, look at your study habits. Do you study in a quiet place where there are no distractions? When
you study, do you repeat what you've learned? Taking notes when reading, or highlighting important parts of what you read helps to "repeat" important ideasyou've learned. This will help you to remember. Do homework problems from class over and over. Repetition helps you to remember things. Homework problems are also a way of testing your knowledge. Try to do them without the help of your textbook. Remember how you learned vocabulary words and multiplication tables? First you memorized and you had someone test you by asking you what a word means, how to spell it, how to use it in a sentence. You had flash cards to help you study. You might try writing questions down on index cards and the answers on the back of each card. Just doing this activity will help you study. Then, testing yourself by trying to answer the questions will be repetitive studying. These are just a few ways to study. Good Luck!!

A:FROM MENTOR ANNALIESE BRATCHER, INFO TECH TRAINER AT U. KENTUCKY
Autumn, these are very hard tests!!! Don't give up, because these credentials can really pay off in the job market. Sometimes vendors advertise falsely claiming that anyone can pass them, if they buy the vendor's classes. I know more people who have failed these certifications the first time than who have passed. However, the people who stuck with it and re-tested almost always passed on the next try. Be persistent! Now that you've taken one test, you'll be much wiser about what it takes. There's a ton of memory work -- you might consider writing down key concepts and definitions over and over. Consider reading the hard parts aloud as you study, because people are much more likely to remember what they have heard than what they've only read. Constantly quiz yourself and take the practicetests. Don't forget that the very first information (usually the easiest and most basic) counts as much as the most advanced, most recent info in the course. So, you'll definitely want to review the early material well. Can
you make a game out of studying? Would one of your friends, fellow students, or family members quiz you on the material? Can you build in some rewards for doing pieces of the work? That might restore a lot of your motivation. My boss recently aced a test that she had failed the first time. She felt so defeated by the first failure that she almost didn't retake it. My final tips are to study at new times and in new places. Make some cheat sheets for memory work and study them while traveling or waiting.

A. FROM MENTOR DR. ESTHER PEARSON IN MASSACHUSETTS
Certification tests measure at a minimum knowledge, comprehension and application experience/skills. Generally, knowledge (facts) and comprehension are achieved through classroom participation. But the application experience/skills can only be achieved through time-on-task. That is why some certification agencies recommend, that after completing the coursework, you should spend 3 - 6 months actually applying what you learned in real world tasks before taking the certification test. It is the time-on-task that makes the difference in successfully completing the certification exam. So, I would recommend that you do two things: 1. Take the practice certification exams. These exams allow you to analyze the structure of the questions that are asked. This will help because the second time you take the test, you will be administered a different test. This ensures the certification agency that you have not studied questions that were on the first test to memorize correct answers. 2. Spend as much time as you can using what you have learned. Try to arrange an internship where you can combine your A+... and Microsoft knowledge in hands-on real world projects. Lastly, have faith you will be successful. A positive attitude will go along way in building your confidence.
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Q: FROM MENTEE LINDSEY M. IN KY
I am aware of the fact that you should consider the use of technology when choosing your career. I was wondering if you could send me a list of some good jobs that aren't directly computer related, but still use technology for the future.

A: FROM MENTOR DANELL OLIVER-COLLINS, RETAIL INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER AT HALLMARK
CARDS IN KANSAS CITY, MO
When you say "the use of technology" are you referring to a career in technology or using technology to find a career? I can answer if you are referring to a career in technology. There are so many careers that involve technology but not directly related to computers. Many degrees in engineering allow you to work up close and personal with machines and then there are quality engineers which deal with the quality of products. Computers were developed to make our lives easier. Most well respected people in the work place are able to think on their feet. They also know how well computers can improve their performance by being an information resource and design development aid.

A: FROM MENTOR WANDA RITCHIE, SENIOR OPERATIONS MANAGER, EASTMAN GELATINE
CORP. IN PEABODY, MA
Lindsey, I believe that virtually any science or engineering career today will allow you to experience and take full advantage of advances in technology. Computers have become a basic tool that we use every minute. Computers
allow us to better run our factories, make better decisions through access to more information, quickly access pertinent records, design new products more quickly. We can even simulate the impact of changes on product and
process performance before we actually implement the changes. Whether you are interested in a career in medicine, architecture, engineering, law, teaching - you will likely utilize computer technology in some fashion and work to integrate new technology into your work.
*************
NEW QUESTIONS
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE HEATHER J. IN REGION V
I have a question. I would like to be an art teacher and I heard art is just like science. Is this true?
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE REBECCA R. IN REGION I
I'm interested in going to a very selective science school for college to major in atmospheric science, electrical engineering, or computer programing. I'm only a sophmore, so I was wondering if there were any classes or extracirrucular activities that would improve my chances of being accepted into a very selective college.
*********
NEW QUESTIONS
*********
Q: FROM MENTEE ERIN R. IN REGION III
I'm taking IB Physics (it's basically honors Physics) and I have a first year male teacher, who doesn't have a teaching degree. He sees teaching as a joke, and runs the class like that. When I don't understand something in class I tend
to ask questions, and my teacher tells me not to ask so many questions during class. He has trouble explaining things in a way other than the book says it, so if I don't understand, I don't have anywhere else to refer to. I tried going to one of the other teachers at my school to ask my question, and not only did my teacher see me and ridicule me, but the other teach was also not very helpful. Do you know of any good websites for help with the content, or any
advice for me? I'm really frustrated with this.
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE AMAL J. IN REGION IV
Are there specific types of scientists that do different things? Because it's sounds like a broad profession. And what does being a scientist involve doing??
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE MOLLY F. IN REGION I
I liked reading the first set of questions. What are some good schools to look at when its comes to science and
technology?
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE SHANNON M. IN WI
I wan't to be a lawyer. Or at least I think I do, but i don't know much about the perfession. It's been my dream but I don't know if I can go into it for finacial reasons so I'd like to know for sure that I want to. What can you tel me about it including the school through college or classes I should be taking in Highschool?
**********
Q:FROM MENTEE REBECCA H.IN WI
Do colleges and universities have any internship programs with NASA centers like 6 months working and 6 months in school? I read about programs like these in an old aerospace book and was wondering if they still existed.
__
END
=========================================================================
GEM-SET Daily Digest for January 23, 2002
**********
ANNOUNCEMENTS: STUDENTS, WHEN YOU ASK A QUESTION, PLEASE LIST YOUR FIRST NAME,
LAST INITIAL, AND STATE WHERE YOU LIVE AT THE TOP OF THE QUESTION. THANKS! IF
YOU ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE MENTOR'S BIOGRAPHIES, YOU CAN
FIND THEM AT <http://www.gem-set.org/>http://www.gem-set.org IN THE MENTOR
SECTION.
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE AUTUMN N. with Region VII
I have a question. I am in two classes working for four certifications (A+ certification, Network+,
I-net, and MCP 2000). I have much that i have to look forward to in the future especcially with all of these
certifications. I just took the A+ core before Christmas and i failed(that was frustrating) and i now feel very unmotivated and i plan to retake, but is it so hmuch harder than ti thought! Do you have any study tips or anything like that? I would appriciate it!

A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK, ASSOCIATE DEAN, GRADUATE SCHOOL, BROWN UNIVERSITY IN
PROVIDENCE, RI
Ah! From the responses of other mentors I gather that these are kind of professional certifications, and by analogy with medical boards and the state bar exams, it's very plausible that lots of people fail before passing on a later try. I see we all agree that you should not give up - do take that seriously. If you have friends studying for the same exams, quizzing each other can be a help, too.
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE HEATHER J. IN REGION V
I have a question. I would like to be an art teacher and I heard art is just like science. Is this true?

A: FROM MENTOR JACQUELYN JURGA-MECHANICAL DESIGN/FABRICATION MANAGER AT CABOT
CORP. IN REGION I
Hi Heather! I started majoring in Fine Arts, then became an engineer! I was always told "you're too stiff, you're too stiff -- go take a science art like mechanical drawing". Well, I did and found I had the insight and vision to excel in it, changed my major and find that engineering is very close to art as well as science (in a 'stiff' sort of way.) So I say yes, it is similar to science in many ways. You will study the body... every bone and muscle. You will study formulas that are standards for most industrial arts. However... you will have more freedom for expression and style than engineers or scientists have. If you love art and the connection to science concerns you, I suggest you browse some curriculum text books for an art teaching degree to see if the connection is too close for comfort. Computers (CADCAM, Web design) are used in many of the commercial arts today and having the computer skills could be considered a science skill. If you indeed like science then you are ahead of the game. Artists, engineers and scientists have in common a talent for invisioning things in great detail. Add the skill of teaching and you will have a wonderful career. Good Luck.
*********
Q: FROM MENTEE ERIN R. IN REGION III
I'm taking IB Physics (it's basically honors Physics) and I have a first year male teacher, who doesn't have a teaching degree. He sees teaching as a joke, and runs the class like that. When I don't understand something in class I tend
to ask questions, and my teacher tells me not to ask so many questions during class. He has trouble explaining things in a way other than the book says it, so if I don't understand, I don't have anywhere else to refer to. I tried going
to one of the other teachers at my school to ask my question, and not only did my teacher see me and ridicule me, but the other teach was also not very helpful. Do you know of any good websites for help with the content, or any
advice for me? I'm really frustrated with this.

A: FROM MENTEE MELISSA M. IN REGION V
I have a website that might help Erin R. (in Region III). I have the same problem in my Physics class.
<http://www.physicsclassroom.com/>www.physicsclassroom.com is a very good site to go to for help. Good luck!

A: FROM MENTOR CHARLENE CASSIDY, P.E., AT PARSONS BRINCKERHOFF QUADE &
DOUGLAS, INC. IN PITTSBURGH, PA
Erin, I'm sorry to hear that you are experiencing such difficulties. I'm not aware of any websites with appropriate content, but I do have some advice for handling the situation. My sister had a similar problem with an honors english teacher when she was in high school. Try speaking to your teacher after class again and explaining how important the class and material are to you and that sometimes you have difficultly understanding the material the way he originally presents it. Ask him to provide supplementary information on the material: handouts or references other than the book. If you feel that you can't speak directly to your teacher first or if it doesn't resolve the problem, go to either to principal or guidance counselor and make a complaint. If this teacher is as bad as you say he is -- chances are you are not the only student in the class having difficulties. Talk to some of the other students -- maybe two or three of you can go together. I know this will be difficult, but it must be done. Go in prepared and give
examples of your problems and specific complaints(as you did above). The principal should take your complaint seriously and resolve the problem. If that doesn't happen, you may need to get your parents involved. My sister complained to her high school principal and the situation was resolved rather quickly. I wish you luck -- please let us know how everything turns out.

A: FROM MENTOR TERESA ESSER, WRITER, CAMBRIDGE, MA
Erin, your situation sounds extremely frustrating. It is great that you are taking charge of your education and not letting an incompetent teacher hold you back. Many high school students are involved in a class called AP Physics. This class was not offered at my high school but I passed my college physics requirements anyway, with a great deal of hard work on my own. Yes, college physics can be extremely difficult if you do not prepare adequately during high school. I recommend that you concentrate on learning the material that is offered in AP Physics. I found this on the Web: <http://apphysicsb.homestead.com/lesson.html>http://apphysicsb.homestead.com/apsyllabus.html
http://apphysicsb.homestead.com/lesson.html They use this textbook: PHYSICS, Douglas C. Giancoli, 5th edition, Prentice Hall If you want something more challenging than high school AP Physics, check out MIT's Open Course Ware Program. The overview is here, the specific physics links are below. http://web.mit.edu/ocw/ MIT is committed to making the materials for virtually all of their courses freely available on the Web for non-commerical use. Here is Freshman physics: http://web.mit.edu/8.01/www/Fall01/index.html Here is the whole Physics catalogue: http://student.mit.edu/%402952880.26443/catalog/m8a.html If you are motivated to work on your own, you can learn a great deal.

A: CHANDRA INGLIS, ARCHAEOLOGIST WITH WEST VIRGINIA DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
(WVDOH) IN CHARLESTON, WV
First I just want to say how very sorry I am that you have a teacher that behaves that way, and another teacher in the school that lets him behave that way. Physics is a challenging subject to begin with and a good teacher is esential. Secondly, you are not wrong to be asking questions, that is your job as a student and it is your teachers failure that he can not clarify the answer. Since asking in class does not seem to be working I would try writing down the questions you have, and trying a third teacher if there is one available, a website, or an online tutoring program, or a local tutoring program if its available. The most important thing I think you can do is GET YOUR PARENTS INVOLVED!!! Tell them what is happening in your class, ask them to help find you extra help for your questions. Set up a meeting between you and your parents and your school guidance counsler. If that doesn't work get the Vice Principal and Principal involved. Are there other students in the class that feel the same way? Get together with them, have their parents get involved too. As for specific websites to help you i don't know of any, but I typed Physics into Google and a few other browsers and a whole slew of sites came up, I would suggest doing that and seeing if any of them work. Good Luck!!

A: FROM MENTOR DANELL OLIVER-COLLINS, RETAIL INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER AT
HALLMARK CARDS IN KANSAS CITY, MO
I feel for you because I have been there. You were right to seek help. I would find a tutor. Physics is too difficult to go around asking everyone to explain it to you. I know, I have a degree in Physics. You need to find someone who can tutor you by following your textbook. This will give you one explanation of the properties and theories that matches your textbook rather then many different explanations from many different sources which will cause you to be more confused. If there is a college close by you can contact the physics department there, they have tutors available for their students. Or maybe your guidance councellor can help you find a tutor. You definately need to speak with someone who practices physics frequently. Probably the reason the other teachers couldn't help you is because they are rusty in this area. I'm sure they wanted to help but just couldn't. And as for your physics teacher, try saving your questions until the end of the class. I know that is difficult but I think if you allow him to
complete his whole lecture the way he wants there may be more time at the end of the class for questions. And if you run out of time give him your list of questions and ask him when he can be available to answer them. Good Luck
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE AMAL J. IN REGION IV
Are there specific types of scientists that do different things? Because it's sounds like a broad profession. And what
does being a scientist involve doing??

A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK, ASSOCIATE DEAN, GRADUATE SCHOOL, BROWN
UNIVERSITY, IN PROVIDENCE, RI
You are right - "science" is very broad. You can think of it as the basic attitude that the world can be understood, that there are causes and effects and things don't happen by supernatural magic. Scientists approach problems by forming hypotheses, ideas of how things work, and then testing those ideas. Why is grass green? If grass is green because there is a green-colored pigment in it, then if I grind up the blades of grass and separate the molecules I ought to find that green pigment. And I do find it. If a bird's feathers are blue for the same reason, I'll find a blue pigment - and I don't! Why not? Is there some other reason for the blue appearance? Was a blue pigment destroyed in my procedure? And on and on. A scientist has to be willing to test her ideas and change them when a test shows they are not valid. Just because something has been believed by many people for a long time doesn't make it valid to a scientist. Einstein's universe is different from Newton's vision, and quantum mechanics changed Newton's vision in a different way. Scientists can study things as large and remote as the origin of the universe, as tiny as sub-atomic particles, as human as how babies develop, as non-human as how rocks are formed in the earth. They all propose hypotheses of how things might work, and test them, and are willing to admit it when they're wrong. Well, no one is _happy_ to admit they were wrong! I recommend PBS's Nova programs for a good, accessible look at how scientists work on a variety of problems. If you don't get a PBS station, the local public library might carry the videotapes, or
order them.
A: FROM MENTOR DANELL OLIVER-COLLINS, RETAIL INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER AT
HALLMARK CARDS IN KANSAS CITY, MO
You're right sience is very broad. If you think of something around you I'll bet a scientist helped develop it. Scientists are very big in pharmaceuticals and energy solutions. They are the people who do the research and experiments and develop a solution. Once that solution becomes final those scientists hand off to engineers and buisness experts to make it public. That's how inventions become household items. There are animal scientists, vegetable scientists, mineral scientists, weather scientists, electronic scientists, palentologists, botonists, archeologists, etc. They are everywhere. Movies like HollowMan, Medicine Man, The Saint, Jurrasic Park, Lake Placid, and The Mummy glamorize a scientists life but don't stray too far from the truth. I loved being a scientist, it is all about trying something and if that doesn't work try something else and on and on. They all start with theories. Theories can either be developed from necessity or serendipitious (accidental discovery). An example of a serendipitious theory is when a scientist left his sandwich out and mold started to grow on it. Long story short thats where penicillen came from. Or a necessity theory could come from need...Thomas Edison wanted to give his grandma more light so she read at night so he developed electricity and the light bulb.

A: FROM CHANDRA INGLIS, ARCHAEOLOGIST WITH WVDOH IN CHARLESTON, WV
A Scientist is defined as somebody who has had a scientific training or who works in one of the sciences. Science is a broad term, and there are many different types. There are Ecologists who study the relationship of plants and animals to their physical and biological enviroment. Computer Scientists who study the theory, experimentation and engineering that form the basis for the design and use of the computer. Meteorologists who study the earth's atmosphere and especially the study of weather. Entomologists who study bugs, Anthropologists who study all the aspects of human life and culture past and present, Archaeologists who study the material remains of cultures past and present, Physiologists who study the physical and chemical processes of living organisims. There are Geologists, Astromomers, Paleontologists, Physical Anthropologists, Biologists, Zoologists, Forensic Anthropologists, Chemists, Geneticists, Physists, etc.... The one unifying aspect off all the different types of scientists is that all scientists study the physical world and its manifestations by using systematic observation and experimentation
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE SHANNON M. IN WI
I wan't to be a lawyer. Or at least I think I do, but i don't know much about the profession. It's been my dream but I don't know if I can go into it for finacial reasons so I'd like to know for sure that I want to. What can you tell me about it including the school through college or classes I should be taking in Highschool?

A: FROM MENTOR NANCY VANDLING, ASSISTANT PROGRAM MANAGER, ENGINEERING AND
CONSTRUCTION DIVISION, PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PITTSBURGH, PH
I encourage you to pursue your dream and look for ways to make it happen. There are many types of lawyers and specialties (public defenders, prosecutors, criminal, patent, real estate, contracts, etc.) and each has different aspects and qualities. I asked my friend Stacie, who is a lawyer, to respond to your question. Her response was the following that you can use to determine what classes to take in high school and to pursue extra curricular activities (debating team, public speaking, etc.) that may help you later. "Hi, Nancy, I'm happy to respond. First, regarding the finances
of law school--if the student is willing to borrow, it can be done. I financed my entire law school education through student loans. Of course, I will be paying them back forever, but it was the only way I could have done it. My husband, also a lawyer, has done the same thing. With respect to classes, first let me say that it doesn't really matter too much what a person majors in college so long as they take plenty of classes that involve reading, analysis, and writing. I was a philosophy major and took a lot of classes in history, English, literature, foreign languages, philosophy. These are the courses that teach the skills needed to succeed in law school and beyond. I took a logic class in college which was very helpful because it helped me to prepare for the LSAT (standardized test required for law school). Also, anything that involves public speaking would be excellent because most lawyers either have to speak in public in court or give presentations at some point in their career. Many people assume that they have to be political science or pre-law majors to go to law school, but that's not the case. Those majors are acceptable, but
not the only ones that the law school admissions people consider."
**********
Q:FROM MENTEE REBECCA H.IN WI
Do colleges and universities have any internship programs with NASA centers like 6 months working and 6 months in school? I read about programs like these in an old aerospace book and was wondering if they still existed.

A: FROM MENTOR JULIA HOCHBERG, MECHANICAL ENGINEER AT MOTOROLA IN REGION V
A quick look at www.nasa.gov can answer your questions. On the side bar under Jobs and Internships and then select Student Opportunities, you will find a listing of their high school and college internship programs. In
addition, most all companies offer college students "co-op" (short for co-opportunity- one semester working, one semester at school) programs- especially with engineering-type majors. There are definitely pros and cons such as the invaluable and impressive experience you gain verses extending your education a semester or two and missing classes only given certain semesters. All my friends who did the co-op programs loved them and highly recommend them. Also, NASA offers a great opportunity for undergraduate students to do a research experiment aboard their "Vomit Comet" (the airplane that flies parabolas to simulate weightlessness- in which the movie Apollo 13 was filmed). I did this my senior year and absolutely loved it! Of course, the highlight was being "weightless" and doing flips in the air but, overall, it is a great opportunity and lesson in experiment preparation, report writing, etc.
*************
NEW QUESTIONS
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE REBECCA R. IN REGION I
I'm interested in going to a very selective science school for college to major in atmospheric science,
electrical engineering, or computer programing. I'm only a sophmore, so I was wondering if there were any classes
or extracirrucular activities that would improve my chances of being accepted into a very selective college.
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE LEEANN M. IN REGION IV
I am aware that an orthopedist works with bones. What other specifics can you give me about being this type of doctor?
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE MOLLY F. IN REGION I
I liked reading the first set of questions. What are some good schools to look at when its comes to science and
technology?
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE JULIANA W. IN REGION V
In school we are learning about earth quakes and volcano's, realisticly I can't stand it! Is there any way to make this unit bearable?
__
END
=========================================================================
GEM-SET Daily Digest for January 24, 2002
**********
ANNOUNCEMENTS: STUDENTS, WHEN YOU ASK A QUESTION, PLEASE LIST YOUR FIRST NAME,
LAST INITIAL, AND STATE WHERE YOU LIVE AT THE TOP OF THE QUESTION. THANKS! IF
YOU ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE MENTOR'S BIOGRAPHIES, YOU CAN
FIND THEM AT <http://www.gem-set.org/>http://www.gem-set.org IN THE MENTOR
SECTION.
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE SHANNON M. IN WI
I wan't to be a lawyer. Or at least I think I do, but I don't know much about the profession. It's been my dream but I don't know if I can go into it for finacial reasons so I'd like to know for sure that I want to. What can you tell me about it including the school through college or classes I should be taking in Highschool?

A: FROM MENTOR CHRISTINE M. KUTA, PATENT ATTORNEY AT PERKINS, SMITH & COHEN IN
BOSTON, MA
In addition to doing extracurricular activities that involve public speaking (such as the debate team), you should take any class that involves writing, the more the better. Lawyers, even the ones who argue cases in court, need to write a lot. So, you should take as many English, creative writing, journalism, etc. classes as you can. If you think you might want to be a patent attorney, take all the science and math classes too. It helps a lot to have a broad base of science and technology knowledge to practice patent law. No class, however, is a waste of time if you want to be a patent attorney. I can honestly say that I have used knowledge from every class I have ever taken (including art, music and languages) in my practice because inventors invent in all areas and in all languages.
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE REBECCA R. IN REGION I
I'm interested in going to a very selective science school for college to major in atmospheric science,
electrical engineering, or computer programing. I'm only a sophmore, so I was wondering if there were any classes
or extracirrucular activities that would improve my chances of being accepted into a very selective college.

A: FROM MENTOR DANELL OLIVER-COLLINS, RETAIL INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER AT
HALLMARK CARDS IN KANSAS CITY, MO
I don't think I can give you specifics but have you tried contacting this school's admissions office. Maybe they can direct you to someone who can tell you what they are looking for in a future student. I believe extracurricular activities are always important on a college application. Involvement in science fairs would also be good, and I'll bet they want to interview you if they are as selective as you say. Try boning up on your interviewing skills. Some ways to do this is by doing more public speaking so you get more comfortable in being the focus of attention.

A: FROM MENTOR MINI VARUGHESE, PHD, STEMCELL TECHNOLOGIES IN GERMANTOWN,
MARYLAND
Any and all extracirrucular activities will be a bonus. Run for leadership roles in at least 2 clubs, more if you can manage it. Leadership positions are a must, whether in school or outside. Organize volunteer activities such as cleaning up neighborhoods and school or beautifying the area. Volunteer in activities that match your career goals, like training senior citizens or other groups on how to use the computer. Class wise, advanced science and mathematics courses are essential. Compete in area math/science competitions. Anything to show that you are willing to go the extra mile is valuable.

A: FROM MENTOR TERESA ESSER, WRITER, IN CAMBRIDGE, MA
Obvious answer: go to Governor's school. Compete in the Science Olympiad. Join the RSI Research Science Institute Summer Program. Enter the Science Fair. Start a Computer Club at your School. Download Python from Python.org. Investigate Linux. Learn how to program. Get involved in a scientific research experiment and publish your findings in a scientific journal. Make nerdy computer friends. Not so obvious answer: I recommend that you read 100 Successful College Application Essays, a book by Christopher J. Georges and Gigi Georges (Editors).This book contains examples of winning college entrance essays. I remember reading it during high school and marveling at the smooth, confident way that high school seniors were able to present themselves. At some point in the college admissions process you will be required to write an essay explaining something about why you want to go to college. It seems logical that it would be worthwhile for you to spend time reading examples of quality essays. Essay reading and diary writing is not normally considered an extra- curricular activity, but it is extremely useful in preparing for college and succeeding in college. The most important thing about extra-curricular activities is that you do something that you care about. This could include lying in your bed thinking up jokes to tell to your friends.
But you have to prove that you did think up the jokes, that you did tell the jokes, and that you learned something from the experience. It is easy to prove that you participated in, and learned something from, standard regular
structured extra curricular activities like playing an instrument; competing in swimming/fieldhockey/tennis/debate/soccer; writing letters for Amnesty International; etc. As long as you can discuss how your activities affected your life, and that YOU ACTUALLY CARED ABOUT WHAT YOU WERE DOING, you should be able to craft a decent essay.
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE MOLLY F. IN REGION I
I liked reading the first set of questions. What are some good schools to look at when its comes to science and
technology?

A: FROM MENTOR DANELL OLIVER-COLLINS, RETAIL INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER AT
HALLMARK CARDS IN KANSAS CITY, MO
There are quite a few good schools in the United States. But you know what makes your resume more impressive when you are looking for a job... a good student. Your accomplishments at any school will do you more good than
what school you went to. You can send away for information about any college you are interested in. Go to the Library there are several books on how certain schools rank in their field.

A: FROM MENTOR DR. ESTHER PEARSON IN MASSACHUSETTS
Molly, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a very distinguished and world-known
college/university for technology. You can learn more about MIT at the following Internet address:
<http://web.mit.edu/>http://web.mit.edu/
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE JULIANA W. IN REGION V
In school we are learning about earth quakes and volcano's, realisticly I can't stand it! Is there any
way to make this unit bearable?

A: FROM MENTOR DANELL OLIVER-COLLINS, RETAIL INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER AT
HALLMARK CARDS IN KANSAS CITY, MO
I know earthquakes are scary. Try focusing on the particulars of a volcano. The lava, the earth moving, the chemical change the environment goes through. If you break it down into parts you won't be able to see the whole volcano and you will be able to focus better.

A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK, ASSOCIATE DEAN, GRADUATE SCHOOL, BROWN UNIVERSITY IN
PROVIDENCE, RI
That's a hard question to answer when you don't say why you find it unbearable! Here we stand on a piece of the earth that seems solid as bedrock, dependable, unchanging - and yet sometimes in some places it moves and shakes or explodes! What is boring about that? What if you lived Goma in the Congo and a river of lava had just flowed
through your town and you had to skip across trying not to burn your feet? Perhaps earthquakes and volcanos are "unbearable" because they are too frightening - but it's important to know what dangers exist and how to prepare for them, don't you think?
*************
NEW QUESTIONS
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE LEEANN M. IN REGION IV
I am aware that an orthopedist works with bones. What other specifics can you give me about being this type of doctor?
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE CARISSA C. IN MN
I would like to know if any of you have a saying, quote, lesson- whatever, that you call upon in times of disappointments and despair to help you through your rough times.
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE ALAYNA IN MN
What is the difference between a forensic scientist and a forensic chemist? And what is different about the schooling?
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE SHANNON M. IN WI
What are some good colleges to go to for law school?
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE MELANIE T. IN REGION IV
What medical jobs have the best outlook for the future?
__
END
=========================================================================
GEM-SET Daily Digest for January 25, 2002
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE HEATHER J. IN REGION V
I have a question. I would like to be an art teacher and I heard art is just like science. Is this true?

A: FROM MENTOR KRISTIN TAGHON, SOFTWARE ENGINEER AT LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES IN IL
Heather, I have never heard that statement, but in some cases it is true. If you look back over the hundreds of years at art work, you'll see that artists had to know how to MAKE their own materials and therefore, had to know about
chemistry. Also, if you look at Michelangelo and DaVinci, they both disected bodies and learned about the anatomy of humans and animals in order to understand them enough to draw them. I am currently taking a drawing class
based on anatomy. It's so interesting. I do like technical aspects of art, being a technical person 40 hours a week. It will really improve my drawing to know what the skin drapes over to make the shape, the bulges, etc. There are books on anatomy and life drawing. Someone can help you at a book store. The one I am using is by Stephen Peck.
**********
Q: FROM Mentee Juliana W. in Region V
In school we are learning about earthquakes and volcanos, realistically I can't stand it! Is there any way to make this unit more bearable?

A. FROM MENTOR WANDA R. RITCHIE, SENIOR OPERATIONS MANAGER, EASTMAN GELATINE
CORP. IN PEABODY, MA
Juliana, science and technology have been utilized extensively to monitor seismic and volcanic activities to warn people of dangers, to minimize the loss of life and to reduce the adverse impacts after an event. You may wish to start a study project to learn how scientists monitor the earth to predict earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. Another option would be to study how civil engineers have learned to design buildings and bridges to withstand earthquakes. This work has significantly reduced loss of life from events in recent years. Case Western Reserve University is
one school that has been involved in design improvements for many years. Good luck!
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE CARISSA C. IN MN
I would like to know if any of you have a saying, quote, lesson- whatever, that you call upon in times of disappointments and despair to help you through your rough times.

A: FROM MENTOR MARYJO MULLEN, CIVIL ENGINEER AT PATRICK ENGINEERING IN
REGION V
All I can say, Carissa, is that I try to keep in mind that things usually happen for a reason. I've found that a lot of the disappointments and rough times in my life were difficult at the time, but upon looking back at them, they often led to bigger and better things. For example, my boyfriend and I broke up my freshman year of college - I absolutely loved him but was missing out on my friends and college life. I was heartbroken when it happened, even though I am the one who did it. I ended up having some great years with my roommates and developed friendships that are still among the most important to me. About 2 and a half years later, we got back together, mostly by a chance meeting. Our relationship was also a lot healthier because we both learned a lot on our own and matured a good deal. We got married last July. Its often hard to understand the reason behind difficult times, but you have to keep hope that things will get better and that you can turn around this disappointment and make it into something you learn from and even possibly benefit from.

A: FROM MENTOR JACQUELYN JURGA, MECH.DESIGN/FABRICATION MANAGER AT CABOT CORP
Carissa- Over the years I have been given a few little 'lines' that do bring me back into focus and help me look at things objectively. I won't go into what they mean to me - think about what they may mean to you. I have many - but I think you'll actually enjoy the following: "Problems can not be fixed with the same level of awareness that created
them". -AlbertEinstein "You are only an attitude away from success" - John Maxwell "To err is human.... but when the eraser wears out ahead of the pencil, you're overdoing it." - Jerry Jenkins " A determined person is one who, when they get to the end of their rope, ties a knot and hangs on." -Joe Griffith "Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn."- Harriet Beecher Stowe "Difficulties in life are intended to make us better - not bitter" -? "Why not go out on that limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?" -F. Scully "People are like rubber bands: They must be stretched to be effective." -John M. " Success in life comes not from holding a good hand, but in playing a poor hand well." -Denis Waitley Hope these help!

A: FROM MENTOR MARY CHINTALA, RESEARCH BIOLOGIST, US EPA, ATLANTIC ECOLOGY
DIVISION IN NARRAGANSETT, RI
Carissa, usually in a time of despair or disappointment my first reaction is to consider what I might have done (or not done right) to make that happen. Most of the time, though, we give ourselves credit for things going wrong that are not in our control in the first place. The most important thing to me is to try and not let a disappointment erode my self-confidence. I have two things to offer you, one is a quote and the other is a poem- both are on my desk at work. "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." -Eleanor Roosevelt RIVERS (sorry, I don't know who wrote this, but it was read by Bishop Tutu at a graduation) Rivers hardly ever run in a straight line Rivers are willing to take 10,000 meanders And enjoy every one And grow from every one When they leave a meander
They are always more than when they entered it When rivers meet an obstacle They do not try to run over it They merely go around But they always get to the other side Rivers accept things as they are Conform to the shape they find the world in Yet nothing changes things more than rivers Rivers move even mountains into the sea Rivers hardly ever are in a hurry Yet, is there anything more likely to reach the point it set out for than a river?
A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK, ASSOCIATE DEAN, GRADUATE SCHOOL, BROWN UNIVERSITY IN
PROVIDENCE, RI
Here's one from Sherlock Holmes, which is relevant to the nature of the scientific method. "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." It reminds me that in fact our knowledge _is_ advanced by eliminating the impossible, that the strongest experiments are designed to show that an idea is impossible, not that an idea is consistent with the results. Therefore when our experiments show that our pet idea can't be right, that's progress and we should not be discouraged. The challenge is to think of ways to eliminate _each_ of the remaining theories that still seem consistent with the truth - getting "whatever remains" down to just one possibility is very hard, perhaps impossible to do! And one from my thesis advisor, circa 1968: "All the easy
experiments have been done." It reminds me that after an experiment is done it _seems_ easy to have thought of and easy to do - but it's very hard to frame a new experiment properly and execute it for the first time. And the statement has been true forever and will remain true forever. My biggest regret in life is to have let disappointments in research discourage me. The hardest thing is to know when a line of experimental research is really a dead end, or the state of knowledge just not advanced enough to allow us to pursue it. When it's _not_ a dead end, perseverance pays off; but on a dead end path perseverance simply wastes time. Successful scientists can tell the difference. I don't think that's simply a tautology - that the survival of the fittest scientist is just a matter of luck. I think some people have better judgment than others. Someone starting out should pay attention to how her advisors react to set-backs, and should seize opportunities to talk about how to react.

A: FROM MENTOR SUZANNE FRANKS, PHD, DIRECTOR OF WOMEN IN ENGINEERING AND
SCIENCE PROGRAMAT KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY IN MANHATTAN, KS
Carissa, you are wise to realize that sayings and quotes can be a source of strength in difficult times. I have a few
I like, and I have a few sources to point you towards where you can discover more. If you read my biographical statement on the GEMSET web site, <http://www.gem-set.org/>www.gem-set.org, you will find some stories
about lessons I learned from difficult periods in my life. I am sure you will find similar things in the stories of other mentors on the web site. One of my favorite quotes is included in my statement, so go take a look! Because I don't know exactly what kind of support and encouragement you are looking for right now, I am listing here a number of quotes that address different things. Mary Tyler Moore: "You can't be brave if you've only had wonderful things happen to you." Sally Ride: "All adventures, especially into new territory, are scary." Anna Jameson: "What we truly and earnestly aspire to be, that in some sense we are. The mere aspiration, by changing the frame of mind, for the moment realizes itself." Sylvia Porter: "I've always been independent, and I don't see how it conflicts with femininity." Elizabeth Gaskell: "I'll not listen to reason. Reason always means what someone else has got to say." Penelope Leach: "Whatever you do to your child's body, you are doing to your child's mind." Duchess de Abrantes: "Prejudice squints when it looks, and lies when it talks." These and many other wonderful quotes can be found in a book called "Treasury of Women's Quotations" by Carolyn Warner. You could probably find this in your school or local library; ask the librarian for help. If they don't have this book, ask for other books of quotes. Write back and let us know if any of these quotes are appealing to you, and if there is any other way we can offer you support in
a difficult period. Good luck!

A: FROM MENTOR WANDA RITCHIE, SENIOR OPERATIONS MANAGER AT EASTMAN GELATINE
CORP. IN PEABODY, MA
Carissa, the answer to your question depends a bit on the reason for your disappointment and despair. If I'm trying to learn something new and I feel as if I may fail or not live up to expectations, I try to remember a saying I learned from one of my mentors: "Beginnings are humbling" - don't expect too much from yourself right at the start If I'm feeling overwhelmed, I try to focus on: 1. living one day at a time 2. putting forth my best effort 3. being true to myself Invariably, when I take my mind off worrying about the future (something I can't control) and focus my energy on the present, things work out for themselves and work out better than when I worry myself... Often the most difficult times we face are the ones that provide us with the greatest opportunity to improve and grow as people. As you experience challenges and successfully move through them, you will begin to gain confidence in your own talents and unique strengths. By focusing on those strengths, you learn to appreciate and enjoy the opportunities which present themselves in life.
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Q: FROM MENTEE MELANIE T. IN REGION IV
What medical jobs have the best outlook for the future?

A: FROM MENTOR MINI VARUGHESE AT STEMCELL TECHNOLOGIES IN GERMANTOWN, MD
The Federal Government and industry in general has lagged in research on microbiology. Anthrax, TB, and other scourges are making a comeback as antibiotics loose their efficacy. So in my opinion, the areas that will be hot in the future are microbiology, pharmaceutical research, and clinical divisions related to the treatment of bacterial infections. And the population is aging, so orthopedic surgeons and geriatric specialists are going to be needed. There aren't enough obstetricians due to the high number of malpractice suits, so that area will always need doctors. If you read the papers, anyone involved in cloning right now is a hot commodity. But of course, predicting the future is always a gamble. What's hot now, may not be hot by the time you graduate.
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NEW QUESTIONS
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Q: FROM MENTEE SAMANTHA B. IN VT
Can you recommend some good schools in the Northeast that supply the classes and degrees that you need to become a Pharmacist? I think that is what I want to do and I'm not sure where to start as far as colleges.
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Q: FROM MENTEE ALAYNA IN MN
What is the difference between a forensic scientist and a forensic chemist? And what is different about the schooling?
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Q: FROM MENTEE SHANNON M. IN WI
What are some good colleges to go to for law school?
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GEM-SET Daily Digest for January 28, 2002
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Q: FROM MENTEE CARISSA C. IN MN
I would like to know if any of you have a saying, quote, lesson- whatever, that you call upon in times of disappointments and despair to help you through your rough times.

A: FROM MENTOR MEG WILLIAMS, TECHNICAL MANAGER, COMPAQ COMPUTER CORPORATION IN NASHUA, NH
Carissa, yes mine is "The world is a circle it will all come round right." Not sure who to attribute it to, but it sure is nice to remember that the downs don't last.

A: FROM MENTOR KRISTIN TAGHON, SOFTWARE ENGINEER AT LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES IN
NAPERVILLE, IL
Hi, Carissa C. My favorite quote that I use when I'm feeling frustrated or upset is "Happiness is not a state to arrive at. It is a method of traveling." -- Anonymous This quote reminds me that I can be angry or sad or at a loss, but it's up to me to turn it around and make the best of it. Be happy with what I did get out of the experience. When I was younger, I had always thought that I would just "be happy " when I got older and had everything figured out. I didn't know that there always would be problems to solve along the way and every decision made takes me down a different and exciting path of my life.
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Q: FROM MENTEE SAMANTHA B. IN VT
Can you recommend some good schools in the Northeast that supply the classes and degrees that you need to become a Pharmacist? I think that is what I want to do and I'm not sure where to start as far as colleges.

A: FROM MENTOR MEG WILLIAMS, TECHNICAL MANAGER, COMPAQ COMPUTER CORPORATION IN NASHUA, NH
Samantha, 2 of my sisters received their Pharmacy degress from the University of Connecticut in Storrs. They also investigated programs at Brown in Rhode Island and Umass School of Pharmacy, which I believe is in Boston. I don't know if UVM in Burlington has a Pharmacy program, but if they don't they may have a reciprocal agreement with one of the other Northeast schools. If they do then you could attend that university in that program for the cost of the Vermont in-state tuition.
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Q: FROM MENTEE LEEANN M. IN REGION IV
I am aware that an orthopedist works with bones. What other specifics can you give me about being this type of doctor?
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A: FROM: MENTOR DOROTHY ZACHMANN M.D. FAIRFIELD,CT
Orthopedist are MD's who train in the surgical specialty of orthopedics. They treat trauma, joint problems, congenital problems and other diseases of the bone and joints. The training usually is 5 years after medical school and sometimes they take a subspecialty in one area of the body i.e. the spine, hips, knee or joint surgery which means one or 2 more years of training.
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NEW QUESTIONS
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Q: FROM MENTEE ALAYNA IN MN
What is the difference between a forensic scientist and a forensic chemist? And what is different about the schooling?
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE SHANNON M. IN WI
What are some good colleges to go to for law school?
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Q: FROM MENTEE LEEANN M. IN KY
The stereotypical emergency room on television is chaotic and stressful. In an ordinary real-life situation, is this what it is really like?
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Q: FROM MENTEE JACKIE W. IN KY
What classes do I need to take in highschool to help me work toward being an x-ray technician?
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE ANNA M. IN MICHIGAN
I have become interested in the progress of cancer research. I was wondering what is involved with cancer research. There are many organizations who raise money for cancer research but what kind of things do scientists do to find out about cancer? What kind of advancements have been made through the research, is there any hope for some kind of cure in the future? Or are these questions too broad now due to lack of information on the disease? Thank you.
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE AIMEE M. IN WI
I am interested in becoming a lawyer and doing pro bono work for things such as civil rights, homelessness, and for the poor. Is it different from becoming a regular lawyer? Do you know where I can get any information?
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Q: FROM MENTEE KATIE H. IN IN
How Do Oil Spills Affect The Envoirment?
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Q: FROM MENTEE STEFANEY B. IN MASSACHUSETTS
Whar are the best colleges to go to for Archeology?
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Q: FROM MENTEE AMANDA T. IN MO
I was interested in finding a summer job that had something to do with either science or engineering,
and was in my area, and I was wondering how a high school student would go about finding such a job.
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GEM-SET Daily Digest for January 29, 2002
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Q: FROM MENTEE AMANDA T. IN MO
I was interested in finding a summer job that had something to do with either science or engineering,
and was in my area, and I was wondering how a high school student would go about finding such a job.

A: FROM MENTOR MINI VARUGHESE, PHD, STEMCELL TECHNOLOGIES IN MD
Contact the college's in your area. Find the scholarship office. Sometimes knows as Financial Aid. They should have a list of scholarships/opportunities for summer students. Also contact the Science and Engineering College Dean or Department Chair. Let them know you are looking for a paying summer science oriented position. They might take you on themselves or find someone for you. Its their job. Some deans and chairs may not think that its in their job description and you will find that out pretty quickly. Avoid them, they are obstacles to everyone. Another idea
is to look up Association for Women in Science in MO at <http://www.awis.org/>www.awis.org.
Contact the President and ask her if she knows anyone who needs a summer student and is willing to pay. The following is the information on the MO chapter of AWIS. Mid-Missouri: Chapter President: Leona J. Rubin
Dept. of Veterinary Biomedical Science Univ. of Missouri Columbia, MO 65211 w: 573-882-5903 fax: 573-884-6890 Huge WARNING, before accepting a job in a lab, find out from the graduate students and other students if you are going to be stuck washing dishes the entire summer and nothing else. Washing dishes is a good way to start (you
have to start somewhere), but it shouldn't be all your doing if you want to learn something. Media preparations, culture preps and other responsibilities should be added on. You will still wash dishes, everyone does.

A: FROM MENTOR HEATHER SULLIVAN, PRODUCT ENGINEER AT DAIMLER/CHRYSLER IN
REGION V
Most companies only offer summer internships to college students. You might want to try your local science museum. The museum near me offers summer programs for kids, and they are always looking for high school students to help with the programs. If you are interested in automotive engineering, you could look into working for a dealership or body shop to learn more about cars. If you have a local college, you could also see if any professors are looking for "research assistants" during the summer when most of the college students are gone. You could also do search on the internet for "summer jobs" and see what comes up!

A: FROM MENTOR DANELL OLIVER-COLLINS, RETAIL INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER AT HALLMARK
CARDS INC. IN KANSAS CITY, MO
Many companies have a recruiter who interviews students for internship positions available in their company. You could contact the human resources department in a company you are interested in and ask for the person who handles internships or summer jobs. This person should be able to point you to the correct person or you may be in luck because this is the right person. You may be able to set up an interview with them or get an address that you can send a resume and letter to. The letter should explain why you want a position with their company detailing what it will mean to your future career. Also include your experience in science and engineering. I realize it may not be much but include something. Your professionalism may win them over before your experience does.
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Q: FROM MENTEE CARISSA C. IN MN
I would like to know if any of you have a saying, quote, lesson- whatever, that you call upon in times of disappointments and despair to help you through your rough times.

A: FROM MENTOR KELLY BROWN, PRINCIPAL BIOLOGIST, MIDWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE IN
KANSAS CITY, MO
Hi Carissa, Here is one of my favorite quotes: "A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner". This is an English proverb. I do not know what difficulties you are facing, but I have found that life definitely rewards tenacity and a refusal to give up. Facing difficulties is an excellent way to improve yourself, and make you better and stronger for the future. And, I have found, that in the midst of difficulties there are often hidden opportunities. For example, if you are trying very hard to get an experiment to work, and you persist until it works, you may find that you have just discovered something very novel and exciting. Because it was so hard to figure out, others before you may have given up too soon and missed the discovery.
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NEW QUESTIONS
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Q: FROM MENTEE ALAYNA IN MN
What is the difference between a forensic scientist and a forensic chemist? And what is different about the schooling?
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE SHANNON M. IN WI
What are some good colleges to go to for law school?
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE LEEANN M. and AMANDA W. IN KY
The stereotypical emergency room on television is chaotic and stressful. In an ordinary real-life situation, is this what it is really like?
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE JACKIE W. IN KY
What classes do I need to take in highschool to help me work toward being an x-ray technician?
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE ANNA M. IN MICHIGAN
I have become interested in the progress of cancer research. I was wondering what is involved with cancer research. There are many organizations who raise money for cancer research but what kind of things do scientists do to find out about cancer? What kind of advancements have been made through the research, is there any hope for some kind of cure in the future? Or are these questions too broad now due to lack of information on the disease? Thank you.
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE AIMEE M. IN WI
I am interested in becoming a lawyer and doing pro bono work for things such as civil rights, homelessness, and for the poor. Is it different from becoming a regular lawyer? Do you know where I can get any information?
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE KATIE H. IN IN
How Do Oil Spills Affect The Envoirment?
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Q: FROM MENTEE STEFANEY B. IN MASSACHUSETTS
Whar are the best colleges to go to for Archeology?
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Q: FROM MENTEE LAUREN S. IN CT
I love many types of fields in science such as paleontology, astronomy, archaeology, geology and working with microscopes. But I would like to know how will I discover what the field of science that I will be working in is?
Also, around what age should I have a pretty good idea of what field I will be working in?
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Q: FROM MENTEE LAUREN S. IN CT
I really enjoy science; astronomy, archeology, paleontology... I love many fields in science, but I am finding that there are not many places that I can experience science at my own level. I don't know of any science clubs or
research labs that I could personally work with other kids that love science as much as I do. Do you know of any places in Connecticut that I could learn about science with kids my own age that love the fascinating world of science as I do?
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GEM-SET Daily Digest for January 30, 2002
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Q: FROM MENTEE KATIE H. IN IN
How Do Oil Spills Affect The Envoirment?

A: FROM MENTOR DR. ESTHER PEARSON OF MASSACHUSETTS
Katie, a few years ago I developed a training textbook and curriculum for the Wheelabrator Corp., which is one of the larger waste management corp.in the United States. A chapter in the curriculum discussed hazardous spills. One of the references that may be helpful to you is a book entitled "How the Environment Works" by Preston Gralla. This books views oil spills in terms of the environmental damage done to: 1. Water Supply (Ocean, sea, lakes, ponds) 2. Affect on water purification (household use) 3. Hazards to birds and mammals 4. Poisoning of the food chain So, I would suggest you obtain the book from your local library or bookstore. It will provide more detail for you.
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Q: FROM MENTEE SHANNON M. IN WI
What are some good colleges to go to for law school?

A: FROM MENTOR NANCY VANDLING, ASSISTANT PROGRAM MANAGER, PORT AUTHORITY OF
ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PITTSBURGH, PA
I asked my friend Stacie, who is a lawyer, and her response to your question is listed here in quotes. I would also suggest checking out the website
<http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings>http://www.usnews.com/us news/edu/college/rankings which was listed in a previous response regarding ranking of colleges. "It's hard to give a list of specific schools. However, for anyone considering law school, I would recommend that they go to the best school/highest ranked school at which they can get accepted. In looking at colleges, the student can also find out from the school what their law school acceptance rate is, i.e., the number of students accepted into law school from the number that applied."
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Q: FROM MENTEE AIMEE M. IN WI
I am interested in becoming a lawyer and doing pro bono work for things such as civil rights, homelessness, and for the poor. Is it different from becoming a regular lawyer? Do you know where I can get any information?

A: FROM MENTOR NANCY VANDLING, ASSISTANT PROGRAM MANAGER, PORT AUTHORITY OF
ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PITTSBURGH, PA
I asked my friend Stacie, who is a lawyer, and her response to your question is listed here in quotes. The web site she refers to is at <http://www.lsc.gov/>http://www.lsc.gov and it has links to other websites in specific regional
geographic areas. "All lawyers use the same basic skills, but to be an advocate for the poor or the underprivileged, the lawyer needs a certain compassion for the clients and ability to relate. Lawyers who work for the poor or who do not-for-profit legal work usually are not paid well and so need to be willing to dedicate their life to their work, expect to work long hard hours, and not be compensated well financially. This is often a problem because law school is expensive and most students have heavy student loans to pay back when they graduate. Public sector jobs don't usually pay well enough to make all of the ends meet, or at least not comfortably so. In terms of getting more information, I would start by searching the internet for Legal Services Corporation. That is a national non-profit legal services agency that serves the poor. Their site probably has good links to others."
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Q: FROM MENTEE JACKIE W. IN KY
What classes do I need to take in highschool to help me work toward being an x-ray technician?

A: FROM MENTOR MARGO AUXTER, RADIATION THERAPIST, IN OK
Anatomy and Physiology will be something you use constantly. Medical terminology is another good class. When I went to Radiography school, we did a lot of math figuring exposures for films. Of course computers are a huge
part of all medical fields today, you can't escape it. We did quite a bit of physics and nuclear biology, but don't let that scare you if that's not your strong point. Good luck and if you have more specific questions, just ask.
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Q: FROM MENTEE ANNA M. IN MICHIGAN
I have become interested in the progress of cancer research. I was wondering what is involved with cancer research. There are many organizations who raise money for cancer research but what kind of things do scientists do to find out about cancer? What kind of advancements have been made through the research, is there any hope for some kind of cure in the future? Or are these questions too broad now due to lack of information on the disease? Thank you.

A: FROM MENTOR MARGO AUXTER, RADIATION THERAPIST IN OK
Research is primarily started in a lab on a cellular level. After that, it is moved to animals. It is quite a big step to get permission to test on humans. Years of research are done before a live patient sees a new drug or treatment. After that, a drug or treatment goes to clinical trial. Many cancers are being linked to genes today. As we do more in the area of understanding genetic codes, I feel we will learn much more about cancer. I believe we will someday have a cure for, or a vaccine for all cancers. I doubt it will be in my lifetime, but I hope my daughter's generation will see it.
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Q: FROM MENTEE LAUREN S. IN CT
I love many types of fields in science such as paleontology, astronomy, archaeology, geology and working with microscopes. But I would like to know how will I discover what the field of science that I will be working in is? Also, around what age should I have a pretty good idea of what field I will be working in?

A: FROM MENTOR MINI VARUGHESE, PHD, STEMCELL TECHNOLOGIES IN MD
Palenotology involves archaeology, geology and microscopes. But you may find that none of these are your true hearts desire later on. Take classes in all the areas you are interested in. Usually, you have till the end of
the second year of college to declare your major. And, you can always do a minor in the second most favorite. Or a double major. Take your time and explore your options. Volunteer in a lab that you think does interesting work to make sure that is what you want to do.
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Q: FROM MENTEE LAUREN S. IN CT
I really enjoy science; astronomy, archeology, paleontology... I love many fields in science, but I am finding that there are not many places that I can experience science at my own level. I don't know of any science clubs or
research labs that I could personally work with other kids that love science as much as I do. Do you know of any places in Connecticut that I could learn about science with kids my own age that love the fascinating world of science as I do?

A: FROM MENTOR JACQUELYN JURGA, MECHANICAL DESIGN/FABRICATION MANAGER, CABOT
CORP. IN REGION I
Hi Lauren- A couple of suggestions: I am not familiar with the Connecticut area, but most science museums
have wonderful classes and workshops in the sciences for all age groups. I suggest you check out the closest science museum for a schedule, and try to get there. If you are ever in the Boston area, do visit the Boston Museum of Science. Someone like yourself will want to spend days there. Do you have a science teacher at school that would help you promote and start a science club? I bet they would love the opportunity to mentor your enthusiasm. Might I suggest you give it a shot -- Go ask them. The worst they can say is "no" at which your challenge will be a little more difficult and probably result in your own personal reading and experimentation (with parents permission and support of course) which can be found at your local library. Check out the science periodicals and magazines at the library and if possible, order a subscription that would come directly to your home. Good Luck in your challenge!
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NEW QUESTIONS
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Q: FROM MENTEE ALAYNA IN MN
What is the difference between a forensic scientist and a forensic chemist? And what is different about the schooling?
**********
Q: FROM MENTEE ALEXX M. IN IL
I was just wondering, if I were to be a vet, but I did not want to be a surgeon, is it possible to do one without the other? I probably wouldn't mind it although I was just unsure.
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Q: FROM MENTEE JACQUAIA S. IN PA
I would like to go into the medical career field when I get to college. I want to become a NICU nurse. Do you have suggestions on what I could get out of the books now to help me better myself for when the time actually comes?]
AND I am trying to get a summer job that contains technology and science can you help me? Beacuse I'm interested in both.
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Q: FROM MENTEE STEFANEY B. IN MASSACHUSETTS
Whar are the best colleges to go to for Archeology?
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Q: FROM MENTEE LEEANN M. and AMANDA W. IN KY
The stereotypical emergency room on television is chaotic and stressful. In an ordinary real-life situation, is this what it is really like?
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GEM -SET Daily Digest for January 31, 2002
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: IF YOU ARE NEW TO GEM-SET AND WANT TO SEND IN A QUESTION OR
RESPONSE, SIMPLY SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO GEM-SET@UIC.EDU along with your name
and where you live. ALL NEW PARTICIPANTS SHOULD READ THE WELCOME LETTER AVAILABLE
AT <http://www.gem-set.org/>http://www.gem-set.org
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Q: FROM MENTEE ANNA M. IN MICHIGAN
I have become interested in the progress of cancer research. I was wondering what is involved with cancer research. There are many organizations who raise money for cancer research but what kind of things do scientists do to find out about cancer? What kind of advancements have been made through the research, is there any hope for some kind of cure in the future? Or are these questions too broad now due to lack of information on the disease? Thank you.

A: FROM MENTOR SUZANNE FRANKS, DIRECTOR, WOMEN IN ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE
PROGRAM AT KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY IN MANHATTAN, KS
Anna, there are many different kinds of things scientists do that are part of cancer research. Some scientists work directly with human beings who have cancer. This happens when a new drug or procedure needs to be tried out on human beings to see if it works. Some people with cancer volunteer to be part of a research study to help advance our understanding of cancer and how to fight it. Some scientists work with animals to study cancer models. They may try out new treatments on animals who have cancer, compare treatments, or study new methods of detecting and diagnosing cancer using animals. Some scientists work in the laboratory with cancer cells - this is called cell culture or tissue culture. They will study how cells respond or don't respond to different cancer drugs or other treatments, and try to figure out why. Some scientists study cancer through work on genes and genetic analysis. Still other scientists might study cancer through epidemiology - discovering where cancer occurs, what kinds, how prevalent it is, what environmental factors might be connected, and so on. Some scientists might work in all of these
different areas throughout the course of a career. Some scientists work on detection and diagnosis, some on treatment, and some on prevention. In my time as a cancer researcher, I worked mostly on cells - cell culture - and tried to understand why some types of cancer cells would die when treated with a particular drug, and other cells wouldn't. And I tried to figure out how we could make the resistant ones die when given the treatment. I worked with other researchers who did work on human beings and on animals, and we compared our results and tried to understand more. In my opinion, there will never be "a" cure for cancer, because cancer is not just one disease. There are many different kinds of cancer and each can be very different, though all share some similarities. But I think we will see more and more specific therapies and treatments tailored to a specific cancer. For example, leukemia is a cancer of blood cells - the cancerous cells are actually present in your blood stream. Other cancers, like lung cancer are localized to a particular tissue or region of the body. Lymphoma is a cancer of blood cells that can be present both in the blood AND cause a solid, localized tumor. Cancers of the brain present specific treatment issues because of something called the blood-brain barrier - many of the kinds of drugs you might give someone for other cancers may not be able to cross over from the circulation into the brain. That's the way the brain and circulation are designed - to keep things like chemicals away from the brain. One of the exciting things going on in cancer research now is research in how to "trick" cancer cells into killing themselves. We will soon be seeing new types of therapies. The old treatments, like chemotherapy, depended on poisoning the cancer cells - but unfortunately good cells got poisoned too, which is why people get sick and lose their hair and have other side effects from chemotherapy. The new therapies will basically encourage cancer cells to kill themselves, and leave good cells alone. If you like science fiction, there is an interesting book called "Dawn" by Octavia Butler that presents an interesting view of cancer. The main character is susceptible to cancer. The aliens she encounters and must deal with value this trait in her, because they understand how to use it to heal and regenerate tissue. Many researchers feel that understanding more about cancer will help us understand more about how to repair damaged tissue in our bodies. So this piece of science fiction is based on some real life issues!
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Q: FROM MENTEE JACQUAIA S. IN PA
I would like to go into the medical career field when I get to college. I want to become a NICU nurse. Do you have suggestions on what I could get out of the books now to help me better myself for when the time actually comes?
AND I am trying to get a summer job that contains technology and science can you help me? Beacuse I'm interested in both.

A: FROM MENTOR MARSHA SEGEBARTH, PHD, INSTRUCTOR OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN IN
Any of you going into any area of medicine need to prepare yourself with all the science you can get during high school. For some of you, this may include advanced biology, Anatomy and Physiology, DNA, advanced chemistry, etc. Beyond that, make sure you get a good balance in the other areas - psychology, sociology, English, strong math background. Have you considered spending your summer in a hospital laboratory this summer? That would be a good 'fit' for your interest in science and technology. The laboratory at your local hospital will no doubt utilize
many sophisticated (and very intriguing!) machines and computers which may fuel your interest. Additionally, the radiology department will provide additional opportunities for technology experience.
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Q: FROM MENTEE STEFANEY B. IN MASSACHUSETTS
Whar are the best colleges to go to for Archeology?

A: FROM MENTOR CHANDRA INGLIS, ARCHAEOLOGIST FOR WVDOH IN CHARLESTON, WEST
VIRGINIA
For your undergraduate education schools don't offer a major in Archaeology. The major is Anthropology, and then you can usually have a concentration in one of it's sub-fields like archaeology, forensic anthropology, cultural
anhtropology, etc... By graduate school however you can have your degree be just about anything you want. Some of the most well known large programs out there are at University of Utah, University of Arizona, University of Florida, University of Arkansas, Baylor University, Boston University, Harvard, Temple. There are also smaller colleges that have excellent programs such as William and Mary College in Virginia, and the school I went to, Mercyhurst College in Pennslyvania. Where you decide to go is going to be decided mostly by you, and how you feel about the program, the people at the school, and how you feel about the school itself. I, of course highly recommend my college for a degree with a concentration in archaeology. It's very hands on, and they teach you marketable skill right off the bat, from day one your in there cleaning and identifying artifacts, and moving on to doing real excavations. But if your more interested in Historic Archaeology I recommend William and Mary. The campus is Historic Williamsburg, students are literally immersed in history every day going to and from class. If what your really interested in is forensics, I recommend the University of Tennesee. There they have the Body Farm. Literally hundreds of corpses are placed in all different kinds of places and situations to see what kinds of things happen to them. The results are often used to help solve crimes. For other colleges I recommend going to the Society for American Archaeology website, <http://www.saa.org/>WWW.saa.org. This is the web site that all the professionals use. There click on the box called Student Connection, under Academic Programs click on General Information on Academic Programs. On that page go to the drop down box and select the List of University Programs. Then you can look up schools all over North and South America. Good Luck!
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Q: FROM MENTEE LEEANN M. and AMANDA W. IN KY
The stereotypical emergency room on television is chaotic and stressful. In an ordinary real-life situation, is this what it is really like?

A: FROM MENTOR MOLLY WILLIAMS, PHD, PE, ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR RESEARCH AND
GRADUATE PROGRAMS AT THE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCES AT
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY IN KALAMAZOO, MI
I passed this question on to my sister, a medical ethicist with a hospital. Her comments were that generally the ER ambience is considerably calmer than you see on TV. And the significant aspect omitted from the dramatizations is the level of concern and caring that happens in a typical hospital environment. There is a network of chaplains, clerics, and counselors on-call to assist patients and their families in dealing with the medical situations of loved ones and to guide them through some difficult decision making. These private situations are seldom portrayed accurately in half-hour TV shows. Now ... here's a response from a genuine emergency medical physician. Here's her reply: "Thank-you for your interest in Emergency Medicine. The television program "ER" has done a lot for our specialty by creating exposure to the specialty of Emergency Medicine, and the show has also addressed many important social and ethical issues confronting Emergency Physicians. In my opinion, the biggest flaw of ER's representation of Emergency Medicine is that the ER is always portrayed as a chaotic, out-of-control environment. In reality, like most things, there is a spectrum. There are occasionally days like seen on the show ER, where patients are everywhere, and we can't seem to get from one life-threatening emergency to another fast enough. There are also occasionally days of extreme boredom, where we wish that more patients would come in. Most days are somewhere in the middle, with a steady flow of patients, a mixture of critical patients, minor patients, and those in the middle. Critical patients with life-threatening emergencies make up only about 10% of the cases we see. The rest are things like chest pain, abdominal pain, headache, minor trauma, etc. Sincerely, Catherine A. Marco, MD Associate Professor Emergency Medicine St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, OH

A: FROM MENTOR NATALIE BIR-CLAYTON, CLIENT SERVICES MANAGER, LAWSON
SOFTWARE IN LITTLETON, CO
Great question Leeann. I started my professional career working in the risk management department of a hospital in Louisville, KY. I spent a fair amount of my time working in and around the Emergency Room. My view was not from the medical perspective, but rather overall operations. The staff who works in an Emergency Room must be ready for most any type of injury, however each emergency facility is rated as to the level of Trauma they are equipped to handle. I believe that an emergency room that is rated as a Level 1 trauma center is designated to handle the most severe injuries such as gun shot wounds, and serious auto accident injuries. These facilities may at times (not all the time) seem chaotic and stressful as they deal with that type of life and death injury. The real side of most emergency rooms today however is the misuse of people without a primary care physician, or lacking insurance. These patients may suffer from colds, flu, or other ailments often treated in a standard clinic. While they are ill, you can understand that these patients do not normally cause chaos and stress, unless they are occupying a treatment area that is called into service due to an urgent care need. The bottom line is that the TV series do a fair job of demonstrating the teamwork and skill required to handle true emergency situations, but those situations are not at constant 24 X 7 occurrence.

A: FROM MENTOR ANNALIESE BRATCHER, INFO TECH TRAINER AT U. KENTUCKY
Leann and Amanda, in real life an Emergency Room (ER) or Emergency Department (ED) can be just as stressful and hectic as what you see portrayed in TV shows. However, the many multiple traumas are only likely in the biggest city hospitals, and TV rarely shows the other reality of Emergency settings - dull times. Often, for only periods of time, there are only relatively commonplace problems like cuts, broken legs, flu victims with high temperatures, etc. I worked as a computer support person in a large university hospital and was frequently in the ED. I was fascinated by people who wanted a career working in an ED. The ones who really loved the work, all shared one biggest complaint -- they were incredibly bored during the dull times. Fortunately, some people do well with the challenges of working continually with life and death situations. I have great respect and appreciation for Firefighters, EMS workers, and the medical and clerical personnel who keep our Emergency Departments open.
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NEW QUESTIONS
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Q: FROM MENTEE ALISON IN NH
I am interested in working with Astronomy and hopefully NASA, but I am also interested in an engineering field, what would you say would be a good engineering field to go into with Astronomy?
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Q: FROM MENTEE KATIE D. IN REGION V
I find science and discovery very interesting but i am also very good with words. I dont want to be a journalist so what are some other career choices that combine science, discovery, and writing?
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Q: FROM MENTEE ALAYNA IN MN
What is the difference between a forensic scientist and a forensic chemist? And what is different about the schooling?
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Q: FROM MENTEE ALEXX M. IN IL
I was just wondering, if I were to be a vet, but I did not want to be a surgeon, is it possible to do one without the other? I probably wouldn't mind it although I was just unsure.
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