GEM-SET

November 2001

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GEM-SET Daily Digest for November 1, 2001

(Note: NEW QUESTIONS are posted at the bottom of each daily digest. To respond
you can either reply to the daily digest by hitting the "reply" feature on your e-mail or you can send your comments to gem-set@uic.edu. Please use whichever method is more convenient for you.)

Q: FROM MENTEE LEEANN M. IN KENTUCKY
What is the difference between a nurse, a physician's assistant, and a nurse practitioner?

A: FROM MENTOR LESLEY DENNY, DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SERVICES AT SEA CHANGE
SYSTEMS,
INC IN PEABODY, MA
It is possible to find a lot of information about Physician assistants and Nurses on the web. One website that talks about Physician's assistants is: <http://www.pauniversity.com/>http://www.pauniversity.com/. Click on the
link to PA Information and then "PA and Nurses". In there is information about the difference between PA's
and Nurse Practitioners. Also look at the History tab. Another page with some information is: <http://www.colby.edu/health.serv/pa.html>http://www.colby.edu/health.serv/pa.html.
Hope this information helps.

A: FROM MENTOR LEONIE PALLIKKATHAYIL, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
KANSAS SCHOOL OF NURSING IN KANSAS CITY, KANSAS
A registered nurse is someone who has completed either an associate degree,diploma or bachelor's degree in nursing and passed a stateborard lisencing examination. This doesnot include a nurse's asstant. A nurse practitioner has a Masters degree in a specific practioner specialty and experience and passed a national certification examination. Nurse practioner for the most part is an independant practioner,not Supervised by a physican as a Pysican assistant may be. These practices varry from state to state according to the practice laws of the state. The nurse practioners in
most states does have prescriptive authority. the level of this also varry with state laws. Nurses work in collaboration with physicans and health care team.

NEW QUESTION FROM MENTEE LUCINDA E. in VERSAILLE, KY
DOES YOUR JOB CONFLICT WITH YOUR FAMILY TIME? IF SO ABOUT HOW MUCH TIME PER
WEEK?
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GEM-SET Daily Digest for November 2, 2001

(Note: NEW QUESTIONS are posted at the bottom of each daily digest. To respond you can either reply to the daily digest by hitting the "reply" feature on your e-mail or you can send your comments to gem-set@uic.edu. Please use whichever method is more convenient for you.)

Q: FROM MENTEE LUCINDA E. in VERSAILLE, KY
Does your job conflict with your family time? If so about how much time per week.

A: FROM MENTOR DR. ESTHER PEARSON, MANAGER, THE PEARSON GROUP IN GROTON, MA
My job in Engineering does not conflict with time with my family. But, I find this to be true because I make a concerted effort to include my family in my work on some level. Most engineers work greater than a 40 hour work
week, and I believe this is typical of other occupations also. So, to ensure I stay engaged and in tune with my family, I include them in my work by discussing what I am working on and engaging them in the problem solving
that I am involved in. Family members can find this inclusion fun and exciting. I believe it is
when you don't include your family in what you are working on that you become out of touch. For example, if I am working on designing an Internet web page, I would have my family review the work and make comments, discuss
the programing languages and engage them in developing their own pages. This is only one example and some creativity on my part allows me to include my family on other aspects of my job.

A: FROM MENTOR LESLEY DENNY, DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SERVICES AT SEA CHANGE
SYSTEMS, INC. IN PEABODY, MA
I have found that it is important to balance both home and work life. When I was searching for my current job, my main criteria was that I did not have a long commute. It is easier to work extra hours at work if you don't have
to spend 2 hours a day in the car. I also looked for a company that was flexible about work hours. I wanted a company where if I needed to leave in the middle of the day to go to my son's school, they wouldn't care. By
finding a flexible company, I don't feel that my job conflicts with my family time. Just know what you priorities are when you are searching for a job.

A: FROM MENTOR CASSIE FENOSEFF, DESIGN RELEASE ENGINEER AT GENERAL MOTORS
NORTH AMERICA IN MICHIGAN
My job does not cut into my personal time any more than working in general does, because I do not have to work overtime. I think it is important to take time for what is important to you outside of work, even if that means sacrificing some things at work (higher position, etc.). In the end it won't matter how many reports your completed, but how you lived your life. The things you do outside of work play a large part in your happiness and well-being- work is just one aspect of life, and it should not override everything else.

A: FROM MENTOR JOAN SCHESKE, ENGINEER, VEHICLE CRASH SAFETY TECHNICAL
SPECIALIST AT FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN MICHIGAN
Yes and No. Yes in that I wish I were able to spend the whole day with my daughters and husband. No in that my working has enabled me to provide for my family in ways that would not have been possible on one income. Better
meals and clothing, more books and educational computer games, a nicer home, wider educational opportunities, better vacations, etc. I also enjoy being a Mom, a Wife AND an engineer. To balance providing my family with my
time and providing for them, the following has been helpful: (1) I am blessed with a spouse who works 24 hour shifts (he is a fireman). It doesn't take too many 24 hour shifts to put in a 40 hour week. Therefore, he is home with the girls most of the time that I'm at work. The added bonus in this is that the girls are very close to their Dad. While it wasn't a conscious decision when choosing my spouse, the fact that his work schedule has allowed him to share primary care giver responsibilities with me has been awesome. (2) On the one or two days a week when my husband and I are both at work, we have a long time family friend come over to watch the girls. She has been a grandmother figure to the girls and they look forward to their days with her. It has also helped the long time family friend, who enjoys the sense of purpose and getting out of her house a couple days a week.(3) Recently, I've begun telecommuting from home 3 days a week. It saves me 6 hours of drive time, time that I get to spend with the girls. More companies are enabling employees to telecommute to retain them and improve employee morale / dedication.
Time away per week: about 45 hours, as even when I'm telecommuting the girls are in school now. Hope this provides some insight.

A: FROM MENTOR MOLLY WILLIAMS, COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCES
AT WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY IN KALAMAZOO, MI
Of course a job (ANY job held by EITHER partner) conflicts with family time, especially during the late afternoon hours when school is out, but the parents are still at work. That's probably 10 hours a week, when a parent would otherwise be home with the children. The trick to managing both career and family is to maintain an appropriate balance of professional and personal responsibilities and to share the chores at home. This requires good communication with other family members, including both your spouse and your children, about who ought to be responsible for which routine tasks, what tasks absolutely have to be done, and which can be deferred or skipped entirely. When we had young children, what my husband and I found most challenging was emergency situations, for example when a child was sick or injured. One of us had to cancel the day's
professional schedule to respond. Fortunately, our employers and colleagues generally were understanding. These days, there are more options available for day-care of mildly sick children. These facilities are often affiliated with hospitals or medical clinics; they're not cheap, but they do allow parents to go to work, while leaving a child who is too sick to be in school with appropriate care.

A: FROM MENTOR MARSHA SEGEBARTH, INSTRUCTOR OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF INDIANA
Concerning the question about how much time is spent on the job. I teach full time at a university. This varies from institution to institution, but the university I am with has been most helpful in arranging my teaching schedule so that I can be here 3 or 4 days/week rather than all 5. Of course, I still do a good bit of work from home on the days that I am not on campus. Originally, I worked as a registered medical technologist in a hospital laboratory. My husband and I arranged our schedules so that our young son was only at the sitters for 4 -5 hours a day. That worked fairly well for awhile. Soon I felt "cheated" because I was missing the dinner hour with them and got home just in time to put him to bed. Although I truly loved my position, I chose to switch to a straight day shift. Our son
seemed to do better with that, too. The key is to find a VERY good sitter. Our son was very happy where he was; there were other children about his age and the rules at the sitter's were almost the same as the rules at home.
After our second son was born I chose to stay at home with both of them for several years. During that time I completed my Master's. When I returned to work (which I did miss) I returned part-time in a teaching capacity at a local community college. This was my personal choice. Truthfully, I believe if I had not gone the "Mommy track" I would have progressed farther in my profession. It is a decision you have to make for yourself. For me, it was the right decision. It is a tough balancing act when the children are young, but I would encourage you to at least keep peripherally involved so that when your children are at the age where they don't need your constant attention you can slip back in and do it for yourself - besides the money. If you are concerned about time away from your family make sure you consider this when you choose a career. Many health careers allow part-time or flexible work hours. Pharmacists, nurses, PT's, dentists, even physicians in a group practice can make this work. If you are considering a
family, consider the reality of being available for them while pursuing your career.

A: FROM MENTOR LINDA FUSELIER, GRADUATE STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
KENTUCKY IN LEXINGTON, KY
Job conflict with family time is always a difficulty. I try to strike a balance by keeping planned times to be with my husband and son. My husband and I workout together twice a week in the evenings and meet for lunch once per week. My son and I are interested in the same sport and practice together once a week. I no longer work all weekend (as I have done in the past) but keep at least one weekend day completely open for family and friend activities. Now
I can put in 40 or more hours per week but still feel like I spend meaningful time with my family.

A: FROM MENTOR MARTY CHINTALA, RESEARCH BIOLOGIST AT THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY, ATLANTIC ECOLOGY DIVISION IN NARRAGANSETT, RI
I have spent much of my career in research at both academic institutions and a Federal agency (currently). The question of career conflicting with family comes up often. To some extent, it depends on what you want to do. I was in a career area where I was being forced to make my job and my research my life (when I was in graduate school). I didn't want to do that, because while I love my job and career, it is just a job. I have many other things that I enjoy in my life and I wanted to keep that part of me intact. So I left where I was and moved on to something else. I'm glad I made that choice and I feel lucky that I was able to make that choice and move on to something that I really enjoy. The climate in academic circles has been changing over the past few years, making it easier for women to have families and separate their career and home life.

A: FROM MENTOR JULIA HOCHBERG, MECHANICAL ENGINEER AT MOTOROLA IN ILLINOIS
I think one of the nicer things about the engineering profession is that you don't often work late hours and/or take work home with you. Only on rare occasions do we have a crisis or project that keeps us late at the office.
In 2 years, I have probably worked 45+ hour weeks less than a dozen times (which is much less than my husband who is in management). Also, because many of our programs are operated off of a Unix-based workstation, the
engineers are not given laptops and are, thankfully, unable to bring workhome(which is also unlike my husband). However, if you progress into management (rather than staying on a technical track) you will be working less on workstations and more on PC's/laptops and the added responsibilities can impact your personal time.

NEW QUESTION FROM MENTEE MELISSA M. IN MICHIGAN
I KNOW I WANT TO BE AN ENGINEER AND I WILL BE ATTENDING COLLEGE NEXT FALL. I WAS WONDERING IF I SHOULD HAVE ANY SPECIAL SOFTWARE PUT INTO MY COMPUTER THAT COULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR MY FUTURE? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR RESPONSES.

NEW QUESTION FROM MENTEE LEAH C. IN KENTUCKY
HOW MANY YEARS OF SCHOOLING DO YOU NEED TO BECOME A PHARMACIST?

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GEM-SET Daily Digest for November 5, 2001

(Note to mentees: Due to the high volume of questions over the weekend, not every question appears in today's digest. The moderator will put all questions in by the end of the week. Stay tuned to the daily digest to see
your question at a later date if it does not appear today.)

Q: FROM MENTEE MELISSA M. IN MICHIGAN
I know I want to be an engineer and I will be attending college next fall. I was wondering if I should have any special software put into my computer that could be beneficial for my future? Thank you for your time and I am looking forward to your repsponses.

A: FROM MENTOR CASSIE FENOSEFF, DESIGN RELEASE ENGINEER AT GM NORTH AMERICA
When I was in engineering school, I primarily used Microsoft Word and Excel for my schoolwork. Microsoft Powerpoint was also starting to be used more by the end for presentations. Having those programs really helped.

A: FROM MENTOR HEATHER SULLIVAN, PRODUCT ENGINEER AT DAIMLER/CHRYSLER
It has been over ten years since I've been in college, so I'm sure the software needs have changed since then. Most companies and colleges use the standard Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), so it would be helpful to have this software on your personal computer. For the more technical software, each college probably uses something different. Rather than spending the money to install this technical software on your own computer, I recommend just using the school's computers. They may also have internet web sites that you can log into to access any technical software that's needed.

A: FROM MENTOR WANDA RITCHIE, SENIOR OPERATIONS MANAGER AT EASTMAN GELATINE
CORPORATION IN PEABODY, MA
In my experience, most of technical and business needs can be satisfied through applications of standard spreadsheet, word processing and presentation software. I have managed through many phases of my career
(process engineer, engineering supervisor, finance manager, site manager) relying on these basic systems.
As you progress in your course work and identify your engineering specialty, you may need to investigate more specialized software.

A: FROM MENTOR JULIA HOCHBERG, MECHANICAL ENGINEER AT MOTOROLA IN IL
I found that, even though I owned my own computer, a lot of time was spent in the computer labs working on engineering homeworks. Mostly I used my own computer for Word, Excel, and Power Point and I was happy I could do those things in the comfort of my own place (rather than more time in the lab). Sometimes I was able to load a student version of engineering software (provided by the school) on to my personal comptuer, which helped in a pinch or when the labs were closed. But, if we were working on homeworks, my friends and I would often schedule a time to meet in the labs together so that we could use each other's help. In reality, much of the high performance engineering software is only available in the labs which means get used to spending some quality time in there!

NEW QUESTIONS!!!!!
NEW QUESTION FROM MENTEE MADDIE W. IN KY
IF I WAS TO LOOK INTO A JOB THAT DEALS ALOT WITH ANIMALS, WHAT WOULD BE A
GOOD JOB FOR ME?

NEW QUESTION FROM MENTEE: SAKINAH E. IN MASSACHUSETTS
WHAT ARE THE BEST SCHOOLS IN THE UNITED STATES TO ATTEND TO BECOME A SCIENTIST?

NEW QUESTION FROM MENTEE: WINELLE F. IN MASSACHUSETTS
HOW MANY YEARS DO YOU HAVE TO STUDY TO BE A COMPUTER ENGINEER?

NEW QUESTION FROM MENTEE JACKIE W. in KY
I'VE MADE UP MY MIND TO BE A PEDIATRICIAN WHEN I GROW UP. WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THAT JOB? IS THERE A SPECIFIC THING THAT I SHOULD BE MOST EXPERIENCED IN OR DO I NEED TO TAKE A VARIETY OF CLASSES? DOES IT REQUIRE YOU TO BE ON CALL THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT OR DO THEY JUST HAVE CERTAIN WORK HOURS?
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GEM-SET Daily Digest for November 6, 2001

(Note to mentees: Due to the high volume of questions GEM-SET receives, not every question appears in today's digest. New questions appear at the bottom of the daily digest. Stay tuned to the daily digest to see your question at a
later date if it does not appear today.)

Q: FROM MENTEE LEAH C. IN KENTUCKY
How many years of schooling do you need to become a pharmicist?

A: FROM ANNALIESE BRATCHER, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TRAINER AT UNIVERSITY OF
KENTUCKY IN LEXINGTON, KY
Leah, each Pharmacy School may have different requirements. Here at the University of Kentucky, a person needs 70 college credit hours of classes to be admitted into the Pharmacy program. A student might finish this in 2
years. After being admitted to the Pharmacy College, then you would have 4 more years of coursework to complete the degree. The following website contains helpful information
<http://www.uky.edu/Pharmacy/prepharmacy.html>http://www.uky.edu/Pharmacy/prepharmacy.html
I encourage you to also look at other websites for Pharmacy Schools around the nation.

A: FROM MENTOR MEG WILLIAMS, TECHNICAL MANAGER, COMPAQ COMPUTER OPERATION IN
NASHUA, NH
Leah while I am not a pharmacist, I asked this question of my 2 sisters who are pharmacists. They both attended the pharmacy program at the University of Connecticut. When they attended the program it took 5 years complete. At
the end of the 5 years they received a BS in Pharmacy and were able to take their boards to obtain their license to practice. The program at UCONN has changed to now be a 6 year program. They both agreed that an extra year
would have helped them out as the course work is intense. The would often be taking 3 or 4 heavy science based courses with labs, e.g. physiology, bio-chemistry, organic chemistry per semester to complete the degree
requirements. Also they had to do 3 different internships, in a pharmacy, at a hospital, and in a research setting. Each internship lasted a semester, which is why the program was so tight. UCONN has an excellent program. Today
they both work in commercial pharmacies for a large supermarket chain in the Northeast. They have a large population of folks that they serve on an on-going basis. So while their study for the pharmacy degree was focused on learning the science, their jobs definitely require good human relation skills. It is a great career if you like science and also like dealing with people!
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Q FROM MENTEE MADDIE W. IN KY:
If I was to look into a job that deals a lot with animals, what would be a good job for me?

A: FROM MENTOR HAYLEY MURPHY, DVM, DIRECTOR OF VETERINARY SERVICES AT ZOO NEW
ENGLAND IN BOSTON, MA
There are a lot of opportunities working with animals. It all depends on what you want. There are jobs in agriculture such as framing, USDA jobs, plant and animal health inspection services. A good place to start is a solid biology or
animal science program at a university that ahs a strong agricultural background. There are jobs in the veterinary field that I am in. I am a veterinarian . I started out a s a veterinary technician which was two years of college (these programs really vary state to state) then did two more years of undergraduate work in animal science, and then went to vet school for an additional 4 years. As a veterinarian- there are a lot of jobs available. I am a zoo veterinarian but before that I did work in private practice with small animals and horses. There are jobs in private practices, specialty jobs (surgery, dermatology, cardiology etc) and then jobs with the government, inspectional services, and aid to foreign countries in the form of agriculture and/or animal health and conservation. That is just a few . It is a great
field to enter because of the many options available. It does require good grades, hard work and dedication. I would suggest starting out as a volunteer at a local shelter / farm/ or vets office to see if it is all that you thought it would be before starting out.
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Q: FROM MENTEE SAKINAH E. IN MASSACHUSETTS
What are the best schools in the United States to attend to become a scientist?

A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK, PHD, ASSOCIATE DEAN OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL AND
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF CHEMISTRY AT BROWN UNIVERSITY IN PROVIDENCE, RI
Statistically, small liberal arts colleges have the best track record of producing scientists. My colleagues here at a major research university don't like to accept the evidence - they think that the possibilities for contributing to cutting-edge research that undergrads have at research universities ought to inspire them to become research scientist. Clearly some are so inspired; but a faculty that takes more interest in undergraduates as human beings,
as individuals, and values teaching seems to be statistically more effective. Getting some research experience _is_ important; you learn whether that's really what you want to do. When you choose colleges to apply to, look into what science curricula they have, and ask whether undergraduates can get involved in research - are there specific
research courses, independent study courses, summer research opportunities? How many undergraduates major in science? Do they do research-based senior theses? How many _women_ major in science? Being the only one in the class can be very daunting, unnecessarily so, but that's a fact. A place where it's normal for women to be scientists, where that is not seen as a contradiction in terms, will keep more women interested in science. And consider your own personality. How much individual attention do you need to feel good about your studies? Can you maintain your interest in the subject alone, if your peers are not interested or if your teacher takes no personal interest in you? A supportive environment is more important to some than to others, but it's important to everyone to some extent. When you look at colleges, ask about that supportive environment. At Brown we have a chapter of WISE, Women in Science and Engineering, that has been quite effective in helping women to stay in science - asking if the colleges that interest you have WiSE could be useful.
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Q:FROM MENTEE WINELLE F. IN MASSACHUSETTS
How many years do you have to study to be a Computer Engineer?

A: ANSWER FROM MENTOR DR. ESTHER PEARSON, MANAGER OF THE PEARSON GROUP IN
GROTON, MA
Generally it requires a 4 year bachelor of science degree in Computer Engineering to become a computer engineer. After this completion, some engineers continue in their education to obtain a masters degree which is generally an additional 2-3 years. Later, computer engineers obtain certifications to demonstrate their expertise in specific areas such as Internet web development or Microsoft products Professional Services. So, four years will get you started and then to specialize you need additional education and training.

A: FROM MENTOR MEG WILLIAMS, TECHNICAL MANAGER, COMPAQ COMPUTER OPERATION IN
NASHUA, NH
For a Bachelors of Science most programs can be complete in 4 years full time study. For a Master of Science in CE most programs take from 12 - 24 months. At the PHD level you would be looking at about 4 years plus the time
it would take you to complete your dissertation. I have seen people complete BS CE degrees in 3 years, but it is tight. Also with most CE degrees there is a fair amount of lab time required for course work. These can be very
time consuming, which is why most people take 4 years to complete the BS degree.
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Q: FROM MENTEE JACKIE W. in KY
I've made up my mind to be a pediatrician when I grow up. What can you tell me about that job? Is there a specific thing that I should be most experienced in or do I need to take a variety of classes? Does it require you to be on call
throughout the night or do they just have certain work hours?

A: FROM MARSHA SEGEBARTH, PHD, INSTRUCTOR OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND ANATOMY
AND PHYSIOLOGY AT UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHER INDIANA
This is in reply to Jackie w's question concerning becoming a pediatrician. In my opinion, the most valuable assets for a pediatrician are an interest in people and a strong sense of empathy. As a pediatrician you will be
dealing not only with the patient, but his/her parent/s as well. A pediatrician must be able and willing to spend a good deal of time interacting with these people in a calm way. Psychology courses, especially child and adolescent psych, and good communication skills would prove invaluable. Additionally, in order to get to medical school you must prepare yourself with a strong background in all the sciences and math. The hours you would be expected to work would vary depending upon the type of practice you chose. If you chose to work in primary care (which is what pediatrics is considered) in a center such as a MEC or urgent care center which saw patients on a walk-in basis your hours would probably be much more predictable than if you chose a private practice with hospital rounds. In
the latter case, this would vary as well depending upon whether you were in a solo or group practice. In a group practice you would likely have the opportunity to share call with others in your group and would have more
flexibility as far as days off. Perhaps you should consider volunteering as a candy striper or in a day care
setting to first 'test' yourself concerning your ability to deal with children on a daily basis. If you still believe you want to spend your days with little people in a medical situation, bolster your high school work
with science courses aimed at getting you a spot in medical school.
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Q: In your opinion, what are the main reasons that most science, engineering,
and technology fields have fewer women than men in them? Is this true in your
specific field? If it is, why?

A: FROM MENTOR KATHY T. WILLIAMS, DIRECTOR OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AT NEOSHO
MEMORIAL REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER IN CHANUTE, KS
The field of Occupational Therapy actually has more females than males. This has always been true. However, there are males going into this area each year. I really can't explain why this is predominantly a female profession. Perhaps because females are more nurturing, outwardly caring, and creative. The field of occupational therapy works with persons with physical and mental disabilities and conditions. The type of work we do varies from teaching patients how to be independent in performing their own daily needs i.e. bathing, grooming, eating, dressing, to overcoming physical conditions and injuries such as carpal tunnel, rotator cuff, and impairments from a CVA (stroke) or head injuries. Occupational therapists also work in school settings and psychiatric facilities. There are many opportunities for both females as well as males, if that person is truly a "people person" who enjoys working very closely with people of all ages and cultural groups.

NEW QUESTIONS!!!!
Q: FROM MENTEE CAMI Z. IN KANSAS
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET YOUR BS IN NURSING AND DO YOU HAVE TO DO ANYTHING SPECIAL TO BE A SURGICAL NURSE?

Q: FROM MENTEE MICHELLE W. IN KANSAS:
I'M TRYING TO DECIDE IF I WANT TO GO INTO PHARMACY OR BE A DOCTOR. WHICH WOULD YOU PICK AND WHY?

(Note: To send a message to the daily digest you can either hit "reply" after reading the digest OR you can mail it to GEM-SET@uic.edu.)

Q FROM MENTEE MADDIE W. IN KY:
If I was looking into a job that deals a lot with animals, what would be a good job for me?

A: FROM MENTOR MARGO AUXTER, RADIATION THERAPIST AT ST. JOHN HOSPITAL-TULSA, OK
That depends on what type of animals you want to work with, and how much time you want to spend on school. Of course you can be a vet, and then you can specialize in large of small animals. There are not a lot of female large
animal vets, so that area is wide open to new students. Some vets specialize in exotic animals, some do marine animals, and some go into research. Most clinics have vet techs who assist the vets, some even do many procedures
themselves. Some people enjoy wildlife conservation, biology, barn managing, training, research, retail, etc. There are so many different careers with animals is hard to list them all. Living in KY, you have an excellent resource in the University of KY. Try looking them up on the net and see some of the degrees they offer. Oklahoma State University also has an excellant vet school, and also offers many other career choices. In the mean time, you may enjoy volunteering for an animal shelter, or a rescue group to gain some insight into different choices. Good luck.
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Q:FROM MENTEE WINELLE F. IN MASSACHUSETTS
How many years do you have to study to be a Computer Engineer?

A: FROM MENTOR TERESA ESSER, IN CAMBRIDGE, MA,
TERESA IS AN MIT GRADUATE AND AUTHOR WHO HAS INTERVIEWED MANY COMPUTER ENGINEERS.
Winelle,You can become a computer engineer by writing code and spending time with computers. It helps to get a degree from a well-respected university, but it is extremely important for you to explore the computer on your own.
No one will give you permission to become a computer engineer; you simply decide that this is what you want to do.
Some of the most exciting computer science research is going on in small high-tech startup companies all over the United States, and especially in the state of Massachusetts. Many of these small companies are looking for students to help them out.If you are looking to become a computer engineer, go to the library and find books about computer programs. Look at the source code on this HTML page. Look at the source code on other Web pages that you find interesting.Look at the O'Reilly book series. There are many well-written O'Reilly books coming out all the time about various computer languages.The Linux community works very hard to make all of its documentation available for free online. If you want to try to do some computer science projects, go ahead and try them. If you run into a problem that you can't solve on your own, ask someone for suggestions. The person you ask will be very impressed by your initiative in going ahead and trying to do a project.Then, when you get to your University, you will be able to talk to your fellow engineering students about those projects you worked on back when you were in high school and you had all the time in the world.
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Q:FROM MENTEE JACKIE W. in KY
I've made up my mind to be a pediatrician when I grow up. What can you tell me about that job? Is there a specific thing that I should be most experienced in or do I need to take a variety of classes? Does it require you to be on call throughout the night or do they just have certain work hours?

A: FROM MENTOR MARGO AUXTER, RADIATION THERAPIST AT ST. JOHN'S HOSPITAL IN TULSA, OK
After under grad (4 yrs) and Med. school (4 yrs), you can do several different residencies to specialize, a minimum of 3 years. There are pediatric emergency specialists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, you name it. About any type of adult specialist, there is a pediatric counterpart. To get into medical school, you will need a strong biology, chemistry, and physics background. Your overall performance will need to be impressive, so stay focused and work hard at all your classes. Most physicans work in groups, and take turns on call. Depending on the size of the group, you may only have one night a week. Some nights you may not get a single call. Sometimes there is no call involved at all, it just depends on the way your organization handles after hours calls.

NEW QUESTIONS!!!

NEW QUESTIONS!!!!
Q: FROM MENTEE CAMI Z. IN KANSAS
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET YOUR BS IN NURSING AND DO YOU HAVE TO DO ANYTHING SPECIAL TO BE A SURGICAL NURSE?

Q: FROM MENTEE MICHELLE W. IN KANSAS:
I'M TRYING TO DECIDE IF I WANT TO GO INTO PHARMACY OR BE A DOCTOR. WHICH WOULD YOU PICK AND WHY?

Q: FROM MENTEE STEPHANIE H. IN CT:
I'M A SOPHOMORE IN HIGH SCHOOL AND I AM INTERESTED IN GETTING INTO MEDICINE IN THE FUTURE. WHAT ARE THE BEST WAYS FOR ME TO FIND OUT WHETHER OR NOT I AM WELL-FIT FOR A CAREER IN MEDICAL SCIENCE? ARE THERE CERTAIN COURSES THAT I WOULD WANT TO TAKE IN HIGH SCHOOL OR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES THAT I COULD SEEK OUT?
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Q: FROM FROM ABBE Y. IN CONNECTICUT
I am a sophomore in high school and it is my first year being offered honors classes, and because of my
extra-curricular schedule I am only taking honors chemistry and English. IS THIS TOO LITTLE AN AMOUNT OF HONORS CLASSES?

A: FROM MENTOR RAMONA GRAY, STAFF CHEMIST, MERCK & CO. IN RAHWAY, NJ
Abby, I think you're doing a great job balancing your school work with
extracurricular activities! You don't wanna over do it! I was an honors/AP
student, but at the same time was also a jock and part of school government.
Remember, school is definitely about learning and discovering, but it's also
about having fun. You don't wanna bog yourself down so much that you don't
have time for the fun stuff! As long as you maintain a balance, you'll be
fine.

NEW QUESTIONS!!!!

Q: FROM MENTEE ABBE Y. IN CT
This question is directed towards MENTOR JOAN LUSK at Brown University:I just visited Brown yesturday and my two tour guides were involved in the premed and 8-year medical programs, both of whom seemed like exceptional people. What is involved in the application to concentrate in the premed program vs. the 8-year medical program? What does it take to get accepted to either of these programs? (I know for the 8-year program only 100 students get in out of 2,000 applicants)

Q: FROM MENTEE AMANDA W. IN KENTUCKY
Some of you alreaady know what I want to do when I grow up. For those of you who don't, I'm going to teach children and adults horsemanship. I have a good idea where I want to go, but I was wondering if there was a better college to go to. I was leaning toward Midway College for Women (or girls I can't remember).

Q: FROM MENTEE ABBE Y. IN CT
Would you say its risky deciding the beginning of senior year to apply to an eight year pre-med and medical school combined program if you haven't been completely immersed in other career choices in the maths and sciences?

Q: FROM MENTEE ASHLEY P. IN MA
How many doctors [are] there that relate to science?

Q: FROM MENTEE CHRISTINE B. IN CT
Do you know of any programs where students in high school can go and observe the field that they are interested in (especially in medicine)?

Q: FROM MENTEE SANA A. IN CT
I really like to study math and so I though that a profession in computer science would be a good idea.
These days there is a great decilne in jobs in the computer field. Do you think i need to start thinking
bout a different profession?

=========================================================================
GEM-SET Daily Digest for November 8, 2001
Q: FROM MENTEE ABBE Y. IN CT
This question is directed towards MENTOR JOAN LUSK at Brown University: I just visited Brown yesturday and my two tour guides were involved in the premed and 8-year medical programs, both of whom seemed like exceptional people. What is involved in the application to concentrate in the premed program vs. the 8-year medical program? What does it take to get accepted to either of these programs? (I know for the 8-year program only 100 students get in out of 2,000 applicants).

A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK, ASSOCIATE DEAN OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF CHEMISTRY AT BROWN UNIVERSITY IN PROVIDENCE, RI.
The 8-year PLME (Program in Liberal Medical Education) _is_ very hard to get into, statistically. My informal impression is that the admission to the program is heavily influenced by the apparent dedication of the applicant to a medical career. As a cynical biochemist, I've always been skeptical about expecting 17-year-olds to be so sure about their future career goals, but some no doubt are... Academically some of the students in the PLME are really tops, but many are quite average Brown students and some, frankly, not very strong in science. Which, given that there is more to medicine than only pure science, may be perfectly OK, much as it goes against my pro-science prejudices to admit it. Statistically, getting into Brown as a regular student who may become pre-med and/or major in science is more probable than getting into the Program in Liberal Medical Education - there are many more places in the regular class. With one application you may apply to both: From<HTTP: Admissions.html PLME Medicine_Programs biomed.brown.edu http://biome d.brown.edu/Medicine_Programs/PLME/Admissions.html Each PLME applicant is considered first as an applicant to The College and second as an applicant to the PLME. There is no separate application to the PLME. Interested students should, (1) request and complete the application for Brown, The College, (2) check the box marked PLME on Form 1, and (3) complete Form 3A. Candidates whom The College Admission Office considers admissible are reviewed by the PLME Advisory Selection Board. Decisions are communicated in the same way as for other Brown applicants. NB: I read that as "admissible", literally, not "admitted". We are fortunate to have enough applicants that we can't admit all those who are admissible. Brown has a good record of getting its regular graduates (science majors or not) into medical school, by the way. It's perfectly fine to be a regular undergrad and apply to medical schools for after college. If your interest in science right now is stronger than your interest in medicine, you might well have a better chance of admission as a potential science major than as a committed future doctor. Because undergrads who start out interested in science are more likely to drift toward other fields than the reverse drift, colleges with strong science programs need to be sure they admit enough potential science majors to allow for that drift and end up with a reasonable number of science graduates. When you are looking at colleges in general, you should ask them about their track record of getting their graduates into medical schools.
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Q: FROM MENTEE SANA A. IN CT
I really like to study math and so I though that a profession in computer science would be a good idea. These days there is a great decilne in jobs in the computer field. Do you think I need to start thinking about a different profession?

A: FROM MENTOR MEG WILLIAMS, TECHNICAL MANAGER AT COMPAQ COMPUTER CORPORATION IN NASHUA, NH
Sana don't let this down turn in the market deter your interest in Computer Science. Every aspect of our lives has a computer component to it. All those computers need software, whether it be micro code embedded in a chip to control the amount of air flow in your cars engine, or a Web application that down loads your favorite music or the security system that is taking/checking your picture as you check onto your next flight. This is not going to change! This is also an excellent choice of careers for women. The interesting part about CS is that these days you can pretty much do your work anywhere. All you need is a good laptop and a network connection. This allows for a great deal of flexibility in the type of life style that you choose for yourself.

A: From MENTOR TERESA ESSER, WRITER in CAMBRIDGE, MA:
No. If you want to go into computer science, go into computer science. In many cases, computer scientists create their own jobs. This means that no one has to hire them, and no one can lay them off. Computer scientists create their own jobs by identifying problems in the world and figuring out ways to fix them. You would be surprised at all of the different ways we can apply mathematics and computer science to solve the world's problems. You can use a degree in computer science to design a computer program that will help the FBI fight bioterrorism. I know one computer scientist who used his degree to help combat blindness in remote parts of Africa. He flew to Africa with a charity organization and helped set up computer programs that taught doctors how to perform cataract surgery. The organization left behind public-service videotapes containing messages about how to avoid contracting the water-borne diseases that cause blindness. Persons with degrees in computer science are highly sought after by management consulting firms, investment banks, and every industry that asks its employees to use computers. This is one of the most marketable degrees you can get.
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Q: FROM MENTEE MADDIE W. IN KY
If I was to look into a job that deals a lot with animals, what would be a good job for me?

A: FROM MENTOR MARGARET FOWLE, WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST WITH NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION IN MONTPELIER, VT
There are lots of jobs dealing with animals, either wild or domestic. I know most about the wild animal jobs - I have been working as a wildlife biologist for the past 7 years and before that worked as a wildlife rehabilitator. My current work focuses on the conservation of wild animals (mainly endangered birds) - the job involves a lot of time outdoors in the woods, observing their behavior and monitoring their populations. It also involves a great deal of time educating the public about wild animals and their conservation. It is a great job if you are willing to work outdoors in sometimes harsh conditions, and you don't expect to make a lot of money. It is incredibly rewarding at times, when you see a species thrive as a result of your work, but it can also be very frustrating, when you come up against obstacles that hurt that species' success. You can study the field of wildlife biology, environmental science, conservation biology, ecology, and many other related fields to become a wildlife biologist. There are more and more women in this field, but it is still somewhat dominated by men. Wildlife rehabilitators take in injured animals and try to release them back in the wild. This involves some veterinary training, although there are very few places to receive this kind of training. The best school for this kind of work is the Tufts Veterinary School - they have their own wildlife clinic where students can work. Again, it is the kind of job you love, and it is incredibly rewarding to release an animal you nursed back to health, but you probably won't make much money.

NEW QUESTIONS!!!!
Q: FROM MENTEE CAMI Z. IN KANSAS
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET YOUR BS IN NURSING AND DO YOU HAVE TO DO ANYTHING SPECIAL TO BE A SURGICAL NURSE?

Q: FROM MENTEE MICHELLE W. IN KANSAS:
I'M TRYING TO DECIDE IF I WANT TO GO INTO PHARMACY OR BE A DOCTOR. WHICH WOULD YOU PICK AND WHY?

Q: FROM MENTEE STEPHANIE H. IN CT:
I'M A SOPHOMORE IN HIGH SCHOOL AND I AM INTERESTED IN GETTING INTO MEDICINE IN THE FUTURE. WHAT ARE THE BEST WAYS FOR ME TO FIND OUT WHETHER OR NOT I AM WELL-FIT FOR A CAREER IN MEDICAL SCIENCE? ARE THERE CERTAIN COURSES THAT I WOULD WANT TO TAKE IN HIGH SCHOOL OR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES THAT I COULD SEEK OUT?
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Q: FROM MENTEE AMANDA W. IN KENTUCKY
Some of you alreaady know what I want to do when I grow up. For those of you who don't, I'm going to teach children and adults horsemanship. I have a good idea where I want to go, but I was wondering if there was a better college to go to. I was leaning toward Midway College for Women (or girls I can't remember).

Q: FROM MENTEE ASHLEY P. IN MA
How many doctors [are] there that relate to science?

Q: FROM MENTEE CHRISTINE B. IN CT
Do you know of any programs where students in high school can go and observe the field that they are interested in (especially in medicine)?

NEW QUESTIONS!!!!

Q: FROM MENTEE LUCINDA E. KENTUCKY
I wanted to work with children and technology. What kind of job would you suggest for me?

Q: FROM MENTEE LINDSEY M. IN KENTUCKY
When I consider my career opportunities I am keeping in mind that I want a job that is needed in the furture. In the medical field what could some of my options be? What do they
consist of?

Q: FROM AMANDA W. IN KENTUCKY
I wanted to know what classes I should take next year in High School (freshan year) to ready myself for my college years. I know what the classes are at Midway for Equitation Instruction. What classes should I take through High School, though? =========================================================================
GEM-SET Daily Digest for November 9, 2001

(Note: Correction to GEM-SET Daily Digest for Nov. 8. Dr. Marsha Segebarth is an instructor at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN INDIANA, not Indiana University as previously stated.)

Q: FROM MENTEE CHRISTINE B. IN CT:
I'm interested in working with children in medicine. How does working with children in the medical field differ form working with adults?

A: FROM MENTOR MARGO AUXTER, RADIATION THERAPIST AT ST. JOHN'S HOSPITAL-TULSA
My pediatric patients have cancer, so I cannot relate to a broken arm type situation. In many ways working with children can be more stressful. Often times just the fact that you are dealing with a child is difficult, then you have the addition of parents to contend with. Some parents can be wonderful, and some are not so wonderful. I feel that some people just are not cut out to work with sick children, and some are. With adults, you can most of the time explain the situation and expect some level of cooperation. When your patient is four years old, they cannot understand what you are doing. Some of the most difficult times I have had coping with patients were having to inflict pain on a small child. That can really break your heart. But those feelings can happen with a patient of any age. Sometimes an older patient who is confused is just like treating a child. On the other hand, remembering some children I treated almost ten years ago can still make me smile. They really have a way of getting ! to you like no other patient. So, yes, I do feel it is more stressful; but I still enjoy treating them. It is just one of those things you have to think about and try to imagine how you would handle it, and then hope you really do it that way.
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Q: FROM MENTEE ABBE Y. IN CT
Would you say its risky deciding the beginning of senior year to apply to an eight year pre-med and medical school combined program if you haven't been completely immersed in other career choices in the maths and sciences?

A: FROM MENTOR KRISTIN TAGHON, SOFTWARE ENGINEER AT LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES IN NAPERVILLE, IL
I dont think it is risky to decide to apply to an 8-year pre-med and medical school combined program if you have absolutely no doubt that is what you want. If you do have even one doubt, I think you should apply to a 4-year program and apply for medical school if you decide that a medical program is definitely what you want. Maybe Joan Lusk can tell you more about what that 8-year program is like and see if it has enough variety in it that you can dabble in other areas as well. If the program has something of everything, it could be fine to apply to that 8-year program. You can always change your mind. You just have to make sure that you will have a chance to learn about other professions as well.
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Q: FROM MENTEE LUCINDA E. KENTUCKY
I wanted to work with children and technology. What kind of job would you suggest for me?

A: FROM MENTOR HEATHER SULLIVAN, PRODUCT ENGINEER AT DAIMLERCHRYSLER
The most obvious career paths that come to mind would be pediatric medicine, dentristry, or physical therapy. If you are interested in engineering, you could design toys for a company such as Hasbro or Fisher Price. You could also design equipment to help handicapped children, such as communication equipment for kids with cerebral palsy who can't speak.
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Q: FROM MENTEE AMANDA W. IN KENTUCKY
I wanted to know what classes I should take next year in High School (freshman year) to ready myself for my college years. I know what the classes are at Midway for Equitation Instruction. What classes should I take through High School, though?

A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK, ASSOCIATE DEAN OF GRADUATE SCHOOL, AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF CHEMISTRY AT BROWN UNIVERSITY IN PROVIDENCE, RI
I think the best start in life is to get a liberal education, structured to your intellectual interests, with only passing attention to career goals. That's particularly true at the start of high school, when careers are some years away and students are changing their interests as they learn more about the world. So a good grounding in standard academic subjects will open up the most possibilities for you - including the possibility that you will really teach horseback riding. You should take math now - without it, so much is closed to you. Take biology, chemistry and physics in high school, and you'll be prepared to pursue a veterinary career or a more technical career in college. Take English - whatever you do, you'll need to write, and literature teaches about the world and other people. Take history, take a foreign language, to learn about the world. Pretty old-fashioned standard stuff - but I think the standards stuff grounds you well to take off in any direction you may choose. Jobs and volunteer activities while you are in school can help you explore career interests and can introduce you to people whose career paths you might want to follow, who can advise you on how to progress toward your goal.

NEW QUESTIONS!!!!

Q: FROM MENTEE STAPHANIE H. IN CT
I AM REALLY INTERESTED IN SCIENCE AND TWO OF MY MAIN EXTRA CURRICULAR INTERESTS ARE ART AND DESIGN. WHICH, IF ANY, CARERS IN SCIENCE MAY ARTISITC SKILLS BE INCORPORATED?

Q: FROM MENTEE LEEANN M. IN KENTUCKY
WHAT ARE THE COLLEGE REQUIREMENTS TO BE ABLE TO BE ACCEPTED INTO MEDICAL SCHOOL?
=========================================================================
GEM-SET Daily Digest for November 13, 2001

(Note: There was no GEM-SET Daily Digest on November 12th due to Veterans Day Holiday.)

Q: FROM MENTEE STAPHANIE H. IN CT
I am really interested in science and one of my main extracurricular interests are art and design. Which, if any, careers in science may artistic skills be incorporated?

A: FROM MENTOR HEATHER SULLIVAN, PRODUCT ENGINEER AT DAIMLER CHRYSLER
Architecture provides a great opportunity to use your creativity while designing a building to meet structural engineering constraints. Within the automotive field, Designers are involved with making the vehicle aesthetically pleasing while interacting with engineers to understand packaging/functionality constraints.

A: FROM MENTOR HAYLEY MURPHY, DIRECTOR OF VETERINARY SERVICES AT ZOO NEW ENGLAND IN BOSTON
I have known some amazing artists who did drawings of anatomical parts/ body sketches / observations and sketches of locomotion etc. There is a degree in biomedical art, although I do not know a lot about it. There is also a lot of biomedical graphics and biomodeling now days that could be very interesting. I would think a strong background in both biology and art is required.

A: FROM MENTOR CAROL TOMAN, DISTINGUISHED MEMBER OF TECHNICAL STAFF FOR LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES IN NAPERVILLE, IL
When I think of the intersection of engineering and art, I always think of architecture. There is a lot of science involved: calculus, materials science, geometry, etc. but there is also a place for art. One must master the basics of *how* to do the job, but it takes an artistic flair to go beyond that and decide *what* to build. Do you ever use a ruler when you doodle?

A: FROM MENTOR ANNALIESE BRATCHER, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TRAINER AT UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY IN LEXINGTON, KY
This is an excellent question, as there are a host of professions that now need this combination of art and science. Traditionally, Architecture has been a choice for people which strong skills in art and science. Architects need to know the physics of structural support, building materials and spatial design. They must also have a keen artistic sense to create beauty in their buildings, bridges and other constructions. Many engineers work artistically with product design, often using 3-D computer modeling as the platform for the design work. Graphic artists today must have advance computer skills as well as artistic knowledge such as color theory, composition, etc. Professionals in computer design (web designer, games designer, programmer, motion picture animator) require artistic skills to develop competitive products. I hope you continue to nuture both your artistic and scientific talents and plan for a career that can make the most of your diverse skills.
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Q: FROM MENTEE LINDSEY M. IN KENTUCKY
When I consider my career opportunities I am keeping in mind that I want a job that is needed in the furture. In the medical field what could some of my options be? What do they consist of?

A: FROM MENTOR MARGO AUXTER, RADIATION THERAPIST AT ST. JOHN'S HOSPITAL IN TULSA Nursing is always going to be high in demand. With a RN, BSN, or MSN, you can do just about anything you want! Of course I am keen on Radiation Therapy, we have a huge shortage. About everyday I get something in the mail about a job. Unfortunately, that is the way it is for almost everyone in the medical field. Try to think about what type of medicine you want to be involved in. Do you want to work in a trauma-type setting (paramedic), helping pts. recover (occupational therapy), surgical (nursing), the possibilities are endless. People are always going to be sick, and the medical field is always going to be needing staff. Check into a hospital volunteer program to get to see some of the different choices, and let us know what you think. Good luck, you will be amazed at all the choices.
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Q: FROM MENTEE CHRISTINE B. IN CT:
I'm interested in working with children in medicine. How does working with children in the medical field differ form working with adults?

A: FROM MENTOR MARGO AUXTER, RADIATION THERAPIST AT ST. JOHN'S HOSPITAL IN TULSA Check with you high school career or guidance counselor. They not only have tons of info, but they can many times put you in contact with a hospital program to get you into the hospital to observe several careers in action. If possible, a local college may have a career class you can take online.
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Q: FROM MENTEE LUCINDA E. KENTUCKY
I wanted to work with children and technology. What kind of job would you suggest for me?

A: FROM MENTOR ANNALIESE BRATCHER, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TRAINER AT UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY IN LEXINGTON, KY
Lucinda, you might consider work as a school teacher, public librarian, school technology coordinator, or school librarian. These professionals work directly with children (and sometimes with their parents) to help children learn to use software, safely search the Internet, write simple computer programs and other related items. You would need a mixture of classes in information technology, education, media law, and library science, depending on which profession interests you most. If you like the idea of educating children as you work with Information Technology, I highly recommend you look into these careers.
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Q: FROM MENTEE AMANDA W. IN KENTUCKY
I wanted to know what classes I should take next year in High School (freshman year) to ready myself for my college years. I know what the classes are at Midway for Equitation Instruction. What classes should I take through High School, though?

A: FROM MENTOR MARGO AUXTER, RADIATION THERAPIST AT ST. JOHN'S HOSPITAL IN TULSA Have you looked in Magazines such as Practical Horseman or The Chronicle of the Horse? These are English riding magazines, but I am sure Western-type magazines have them, too. I am asking around, so I may be able to get some more info.
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Q: FROM MENTEE SANA A. IN CT
I really like to study math and so I though that a profession in computer science would be a good idea. These days there is a great decilne in jobs in the computer field. Do you think I need to start thinking about a different profession?

A: FROM MENTOR ANNALIESE BRATCHER, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TRAINER AT UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY IN LEXINGTON, KY
Even though there is a decline in high paying "dot com" jobs, the U.S. Department of Labor predicts a steady increase in computer jobs throughout the next several decades. You may face more competition and salaries may be more modest than if you were job hunting 2 years ago, but computer professions should weather a changed economy as well as many professions. If you love Math, then you should consider working in a University computer science program that emphasizes mathematical models for computing or in advanced industry settings such as computer design for Hollywood special effects, or leading research and development laboratories.

Q: FROM MENTEE LEEANN M. IN KENTUCKY
What are the college requirements to be able to be accepted into medical school?

NEW QUESTIONS!!!!

Q: FROM MENTEE MELANIE T. IN KENTUCKY
What type of classes would you suggest taking in High School if you want to pursue a career in the Sports Medicine field? What type of jobs are available in Sports Medicine and what are job desriptions for them? What is the demand for these jobs?

Q: FROM MENTEE KENA J.
What are some of the best schools in the United States for becoming an engineer?

Q: FROM MENTEE LEANN M. IN KENTUCKY
In the medical field, what careers require the most years of schooling? How many years?

Q: FROM MENTEE LEAH C. IN KENTUCKY
What colleges in Kentucky have the best pharmacy program?
=========================================================================
GEM-SET Daily Digest for November 14, 2001

Q: FROM MENTEE KENA J.
What are some of the best schools in the United States for becoming an engineer?

A: FROM MENTOR MOLLY WILLIAMS, PROFESSOR OF MECHANICAL AND AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING, AT THE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCES, WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY IN KALAMAZOO, MI
Kena, there are over 300 institutions in the US that offer engineering programs. You need to choose a school based on location, size, specific program offerings, and your budget. You should look for programs that fit your academic interests. Most engineering schools offer the predominant engineering areas (civil, mechanical, electrical), but only some offer the minor disciplines (naval architecture, nuclear, petroleum). One caution is that many big name schools have reputations that are based on their research and graduate programs, which do not necessarily mean that they stress quality of undergraduate education. If your budget permits a private school, two to consider are Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Worcester, MA) or Rose-Hulman (Terra Haute, IN). Both are small, predominantly undergraduate institutions that emphasize quality undergraduate education. However, every state has at least one state institution that offers engineering programs. Two resources that you should check are: (1) American Society for Engineering Education (<HTTP: www.asee.orgwww.asee.org) which has profiles of all engineering programs in the US. You can see how many students are enrolled and graduated from each program, number of faculty, and costs to attend. (2) The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, ABET, (<HTTP: www.abet.orgwww.abet.org). This is the organization that regularly reviews the quality of engineering and technology programs. Its website has a list of which programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET.

A: FROM MENTOR TERESA ESSER, WRITER, SELF-EMPLOYED IN CAMBRIDGE, MA
There are many excellent places to study engineering. I am partial to my alma mater, MIT. I have heard good things about Cal Tech, Purdue, Carnegie Mellon, Stanford, Dartmouth, the University of Wisconsin Madison, and the University of Michigan Ann Arbor. I really enjoyed the time I spent at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. The University of Texas at Austin is good, too. Mountain climbers like the University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado State University in Fort Collins, and the University of Washington in Seattle. And let's not forget the University of Maryland at College Park, The University of Georgia at Athens, Georgia Tech, or the University of Florida Gainesville. Real education comes from taking part-time technical jobs wherever you go to school. Go to a town that has start-up companies or work that you would be interested in doing. Try out different part-time jobs around town, for cash. Wherever you go, if you graduate from college without having worked, you'll have a hard time picking up "the work thing." No matter what, remember this: Engineers DO things. If you want to become an engineer, DO THINGS. Take things apart. Put them back together again. Go to a flea market and buy an old computer. Take it apart. Go to Radio Shack and buy "Getting Started with Electronics." Read Soul of a New Machine by Tracy Kidder. If you are truly advanced, read Div, Grad, Curl and All That by H.M. Schey. See if you can get your head around it. If not, no big deal; there are plenty of other ways to learn vector calculus. It's just nice to be able to shoot through your freshman year of college without having to spend too much time on academics. Do the work in high school if you can.

A: FROM MENTOR WANDA RITCHIE, SENIOR OPERATIONS MANAGER AT EASTMAN GELATINE CORPORATION, SUBSIDIARY OF EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY, IN PEABODY, MA
Selecting a school for your engineering education involves many considerations. I would encourage you to spend some time thinking about what you would like from your educational experience. Clearly the alignment between the academic programs and your interests is important. Equally important, however many be considerations such as: 1. Type of curriculum: Core vs Specialty If you have not decided on your engineering specialty at this time, some schools establish a "core" curriculum that provides some flexibility for the first 1-2 years of your engineering education. Your early education focuses on fundamental knowledge which is applicable to several disciplines. Your final years of education then focus more specifically on your specialty 2. Type of curriculum: Cooperative Education vs Traditional Education Many colleges and university offer cooperative education programs for students interested in obtain work experience during their education. This type of experience can be very valuable if you are interested in experiencing "first hand" what various engineering fields are like 3. Environment Consider whether you want a university or technical school environment - if your interests are varied, a university setting allows you to interact with people with a wide variety of interests (history majors, business majors, music majors, etc). The size of the college or university may be important to you as well as the mix between undergraduate and graduate students Consider the location - distance from home and the setting - city versus suburban/rural campus. Once you have determine the most important factors for you as an individual, then you can begin to search for schools which best suit your needs.

A:FROM MENTOR DR. SUZANNE E. FRANKS, DIRECTOR, WOMEN IN ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE PROGRAM AT KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY IN MANHATTAN, KS
Some of the schools with the best national reputation for engineering include: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon University (for computer science). However, these may not be the right schools for any one individual. There are many, many fine engineering programs across the university. Usually the land-grant universities in each state have solid engineering programs. Some places, like Rowan University and Smith College, are taking innovative approaches to teaching engineering. Some engineering schools are small, others large. It is best to look for a combination of things: the engineering speciality or specialties you are interested in, an accredited engineering program, a campus environment that you are comfortable with, in a location you like, with the other kinds of campus activities and opportunities you will want to participate in. One good place on the web to learn more about engineering and picking the right school is<HTTP: www.asee.org precollege http://www.asee.org/precollege/
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Q: FROM MENTEE STEPHANIE H. IN CT
I am really interested in science and one of my main extracurricular interests are art and design. Which, if any, careers in science may artistic skills be incorporated?

A: FROM MENTOR CHANDRA INGLIS, ARCHAEOLOGIST AT WV DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS, IN CHARLESTON, WV
Art and design are great interest to have if you are entering the science field! You can explore all kinds of career options. If you like computers than think about graphic design, web design, or engineering. If you are thinking about the medicine angle than think about becoming a medical illustrator. Artistic capabilities are highly valued in most sciences. I know in my field we love to have people who can draw, especially maps and artifacts. As they say a picture speaks a thousand words...
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Q: FROM MENTEE LEEANN M. IN KENTUCKY
What are the college requirements to be able to be accepted into medical school?

A: FROM MENTOR MARTY WOELFEL, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY, AT KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY IN FRANKFORT, KY
Although medical schools may differ somewhat, most medical schools have similar MINIMUM college course requirements: requirements such as a year of college biology, chemistry through organic chemistry (normally two years), a year of physics, and math through calculus. These are the courses upon which the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) content is based (at least in theory. . .most would say some additional biology is useful). When you apply to most medical schools, you will need to have those listed courses, be near completion of a baccalaureate degree, and your MCAT test scores. Many medical school applicants--but certainly not all--choose to major in fields like biology, psychology, chemistry, etc. For one thing, the courses I listed above are normally required for most science majors! However, probably every medical school class anywhere admits some students who do not fit the usual mold and instead majored in liberal arts areas, business, computer science, etc. Good grades in whatever you do are awfully important, as is a solid "general education" or liberal studies background in addition to the required minimum courses. Another thing: just about every medical school I know of requires some type of personal interview as part of its admissions process. In Kentucky, you should contact the University of Kentucky and/or the University of Louisville, since these are the two Kentucky universities which have medical schools. You might try checking out their websites, or contact their admissions offices for more information about what they require. Most public, state-supported universities have an understandable bias towards residents of the state that provides them with funding (your tuition won't even come close to the expense of your medical education). Thus, since you are from Kentucky, you ought to be sure to check out the Kentucky universities. Then, think about where else you might like to go (public or private) and contact a few other medical schools for admissions requirements as well. Good luck!
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Q: FROM MENTEE MELANIE T. IN KENTUCKY What type of classes would you suggest taking in High School if you want to pursue a career in the Sports Medicine field? What type of jobs are available in Sports Medicine and what are job desriptions for them? What is the demand for these jobs?

A: FROM MENTOR DR. SUZANNE E. FRANKS, DIRECTOR, WOMEN IN ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE PROGRAM AT KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY IN MANHATTAN, KS
Several mentees have asked about good classes to take in high school for various careers. My recommendation for all mentees considering any career in science, engineering, or medicine would be to make sure you take as much math as you can get in high school. Develop your communication skills (reading, writing, and listening) as these will be important in any field. If your school offers advanced placement courses in English, science, computer science, or math, take these if you can. Take physics in high school if you can. It will be easier when you get it in college if you've seen it before in high school. If you are considering engineering, then you might want to take a class in wood or metal shop while in high school. Most academic counselors will not recommend that but many current engineering students will tell you that that kind of hands on experience is very useful for engineering. Plus it's fun!

A: FROM MENTOR MARTY WOELFEL, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY, AT KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY IN FRANKFORT, KY
Melanie, the most important courses for you to take in high school--regardless of your career choice--are those that will help you get an excellent preparation in basic learning skills. So, even though courses such as English (both writing and in reading literature) and mathematics may not seem directly related to your career goal, courses such as these are essential for you to become a better learner. In Kentucky, you need also to be sure to follow the "pre-college curriculum" for your other high school courses as well. In the sciences, for instance, most Kentucky students take at least one year of biology and one year of other science (most often chemistry) as part of the pre-college curriculum. To get into the college of your choice, you'll need to have a good high school record (including the pre-college curriculum) and do as well on tests such as the ACT and SAT as you possibly can. (Take those exams more than once!) Don't avoid the "hard" courses your school offers--you need to take challenging courses to build your "mental muscle" and learning skills. Given your career goal of sports medicine, you certainly should consider taking additional science classes such as a human anatomy and physiology course, if your school has such a course and if you have place in your schedule for electives. Last, with sports medicine in mind, don't miss the opportunities your high school offers to you in extracurricular activities related to sports. To be successful in sports medicine, you will need to really understand the athletes you will work with. One of the best ways to do that is to be an athlete yourself, so be a player if you can. If you can't do that, then you need to become associated with your school's athletic teams as a student manager or trainer's assistant. Good Luck!
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Q: FROM MENTEE LEAH C. IN KENTUCKY
What colleges in Kentucky have the best pharmacy program?

A: ANNALIESE BRATCHER, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TRAINER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY IN LEXINGTON, KY
Kentucky has only 1 Pharmacy school. Fortunately, it's an excellent one. The University of Kentucky's College of Pharmacy has been ranked 3rd in the nation for more than 10 consecutive years. The pharmacy programs in Ohio seem to be the ones geographically nearest to Kentucky.

NEW QUESTIONS!!!!

Q: FROM MENTEE WHITNEY L. IN KANSAS
I was wondering how to begin volunteering in a clinic or hospital in my area in order to get a feel for pediatrics. Who is the person I should speak with or go to?

Q: FROM MENTEE JULIANA W. IN ILLINOIS
I really like tech. stuff, but my computer teacher is teaching us how to cut and paste. What can I do? I really like art how can I incorporate that in with science?

Q: FROM MENTEE NATISHA F. IN MASSACHUSETTS
What are the requirements to become an engineer and how long does it generally take to complete the requirements?

Q: FROM MENTEE SATTIA S. IN MASSACHUSETTS
Is there an age requirement to begin taking courses to become a doctor?

Q: FROM MENTEE RUTH B. IN KANSAS
What kind of courses would you need to take if you are not sure what you really want to do yet? I mean, what would be some good, general, explorative courses? =========================================================================
GEM-SET Daily Digest for November 15, 2001

A: FROM MENTOR TERESA ESSER, WRITER, IN CAMBRIDGE, MA
It is unfortunately the case that many high school computer programs are ridiculous. Luckily, you have options. You can go to python.org and learn a new programming language on your own. Work through the tutorial. This will walk you through getting started with the language. It is free.

A: FROM MENTOR SUZANNE FRANKS, DIRECTOR OF WOMEN IN ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE PROGRAM AT KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY IN MANHATTAN, KS
One place to look for some good stuff outside of school is on The Douglass Project homepage<HTTP: ~dougproj www.rci.rutgers.edu http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~dougproj/ Follow the link to the Girls Tech page. Then look at "Sample Sites Rated" This lists some good web sites for exploring science and technology that are girl-friendly. Another site that might be helpful is<HTTP: www.discoverengineering.org http://www.discoverengineering.org If you have an art museum or an art institute near your home, you might check with them to see if they have any programs for young people that combine art and computers. Also check with departments of computer science or women in engineering programs at your local college or university to see if they offer any after school programs or summer workshops for young girls interested in computers.

A: FROM MENTOR CAROL TOMAN, DISTINGUISHED MEMBER OF TECHNICAL STAFF AT LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. IN NAPERVILLE, IL
My daughter's high school offers no Computer Science classes at all. They have a very basic keyboarding class that teaches how to write a letter using a word processor, etc., which is useful in it's own way, but isn't at all technical. In order to supplement her school classes, we explored what our local community college had to offer last summer. She enrolled in a web-based QBasic programming class - the easiest of the introductory classes - that was specifically aimed at high school students. Many junior colleges have programs for high schoolers and if you make arrangements in advance with your school, you might be able to get high school credit for the classes you take. We weren't sure whether the web-based format would work or not: her lessons were assigned via an email pointer to the web-page with a lesson and an assignment to do. She e-mailed her completed assignments to the instructor who sent back comments and a grade. She could ask questions at any time via email. It was a wonderful experience. She learned a lot and was able to take the lessons at her own pace and on her own schedule (as long as she met the deadlines). I'd recommend taking some classes this way to supplement your high school classes. The down sides to a web-based class are that you have to be disciplined about your time usage (which is absolutely essential to succeed in college anyway) and that there is no interaction between the students taking the class. Not only is it good to make friends in your classes, but sometimes you can learn from each other better than you can learn from a teacher. So, get a catalog from your local community college and see what classes they offer for high school students, either in-classroom or non-traditional formats. Prices aren't too steep. When college admissions officers look over your high school transcript, they know what classes are offered by your school. They expect students from smaller schools to take advantage of the classes that are offered, and don't hold against the student any missing areas that aren't offered by the school. But think how impressed they will be if you took the initiative to find resources that your high school lacks. This could give you the advantage over another student that took the same classes as you but had the easier time because the classes were offered right at the high school.
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Q: FROM MENTEE NATISHA F. IN MASSACHUSETTS
What are the requirements to become an engineer and how long does it generally take to complete the requirements?

A:FROM MENTOR MICHELE MOENSSENS, AT GM CORP., FORT WAYNE ASSEMBLY PLANT IN FORT WAYNE, IN
The main requirements to become an engineer are not only to like math and science, but to have an interest in learning new ways to solve problems. An engineering degree teaches you how to think, respond to problems, work on a team and how to deal with pressure. There is a lot of work required for engineering, especially in the first 2 years of college. It typically takes 4 or 5 years to complete the degree. I took four years, but I had many friends that took five. The first two years are often a "weed out" process. This consists of general classes, that aren't as interesting as the upper level courses. I am a mechanical engineer. My first two years had calculus, physics, chemistry and a few limited engineering courses. My third and fourth year consisted of engineering courses and "fun" elective courses (I took a course where we went and watched movies for one of those!) Those upper level courses are more fun because the classes are typically smaller and they are geared more towards your interests. The best way to understand these courses is to get a course catalog from a university that you are interested in and look at the course setup.

A: FROM MENTOR CASSIE FENOSEFF, DESIGN RELEASE ENGINEER AT GM NORTH AMERICA IN PONTIAC, MI
To become an engineer you need to complete a Bachelor of Science degree, which typically takes about 4 years. Many people then also go on to complete a Master of Science degree, which typically takes 2-3 years part time.

A:FROM MENTOR SUZANNE FRANKS, DIRECTOR OF WOMEN IN ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE PROGRAM AT KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY IN MANHATTAN, KS
To get into an engineering program and succeed, you need a good high school preparation in math, English, science (especially physics) and maybe a hands-on shop course if you have time. You can get a bachelor's degree in engineering in four or five years through a standard engineering program. Most degree programs take 4 years. Some, like architectural engineering, take 5 years. If you do a co-op program, which allows you to work part time with an engineering company getting real experience (and getting paid!) you might take a bit longer, 5 to 6 years. At the end of your time in college, you can take an exam called the Fundamentals of Engineering exam. When you pass this, you are then an "Engineer-in-Training". After you work for several years, you take the second part of the exam and then become a "Professional Engineer" or P.E. Not all engineers become certified as Professional Engineers. Your college or university can help you figure out if it is right for you to get the P.E. license.

A: FROM MENTOR MARY JO MULLEN, CIVIL ENGINEER AT PATRICK ENGINEERING IN LISLE, IL There are many types of engineering, some have similar requirements, but some are pretty different. Speaking from the civil engineering view (including site design, water resources, environmental, structural, and wastewater engineering) there are a few milestones to achieve professional status as a civil engineer. First thing is a bachelor's degree from an ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accredited college. The next step is to take the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, usually at the end of your senior year, but also anytime afterwards. The Exam is an 8 hour test of everything you learned (and sometimes didn't learn) about civil engineering. Its pass/fail and many colleges and groups offer review courses, so its really not as intimidating as it may sound. Once you pass this exam you are an Engineer In Training (EIT). Next you have to work in your field for a few years. After the proper amount of experience, you can take the Profesional Engineer Exam (PE). The requirements for the exam are different state by state. For example, I have to wait 4 years after graduating and passing my EIT to take the PE in Illinois. In California you can take it in 2 years, but there is an additional part of the test about earthquake codes. When you pass the PE, you are officially a Professional Engineer. You get a seal and stamp and can legally approve plans. All engineered plans and drawings require the sign off of a PE. You can also go on to take the Structural Engineer exam to get your SE licensure, which allows you to legally sign off on and approve structural plans. It is possible to take the PE without going to an accredited college, but this requires additional work experience (8 years in Illinois) and often you have to go before the state board to argue your case. Its important when looking at colleges to see that the program you are interested in is accredited. At my school, the Environmental Engineering program was not accredited, but we were promised as incoming freshman that it would be by our senior year. This turned out not to be the case and many students are left unable to take the exam for years. Luckily I turned out to be terrible at Geology and switched my major to Civil Engineering. I take my PE exam in April!

Q: FROM MENTEE SATTIA S. IN MASSACHUSETTS
Is there an age requirement to begin taking courses to become a doctor?

A: FROM MENTOR CARYN PRUDENTE, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF CHEMISTRY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE
Sattia, I teach chemistry at the University of Southern Maine, which means I have a lot of pre-med, pre-dental and pre-vet. students in my class. There ages range from 20 to 45, so in answer to your question, there is not an age limit for taking pre professional school classes. You should feel you can pursue your goals and dreams at any age! Q: FROM MENTEE RUTH B. IN KANSAS What kind of courses would you need to take if you are not sure what you really want to do yet? I mean, what would be some good, general, explorative courses?

A: FROM MENTOR BARBARA CHANDLER, ASSISTANT MANAGER, RESEARCH CELL DEVELOPMENT AT CIRCE BIOMEDICAL, INC. IN LEXINGTON, MA
Sometimes, just taking a math, biology, physics or literature course will not help you consider what can be done with the knowledge gained in those courses. I suggest to first think about your passions, what appeals to you. If you can't identify those areas yet, then look at the courses offered at your school, talk with your teachers, guidance couselor, the heads of departments or an upper classman to find out if the course description sounds interesting or challenging. Look at the adults you know and think about what they do for a living. Ask them what courses helped them reach their goal. And most of all, go to the library. Look at magazines and journals. Explore what's out there. If you read an article about health, you may find you are interested in nutrition, exercise, nursing, biotechnology, etc. If an article on Mars or Jupiter intrigues you, maybe physics, engineering or computer science is for you. Broaden your horizons to find out what interests you, then it will be easier to determine what classes to take to support that interest.

A: FROM MENTOR ESTHER PEARSON, MANAGER, THE PEARSON GROUP IN GROTON, MA
You may want to take a three prong approach to determining a field if you are unsure. The first item I would suggest is that you speak with a career counselor at your school. The career counselor has assessment surveys that can assist you in pinpointing your area of interest. You simply answer the questions on the survey, and those answers will identify several potential areas. Secondly, you should begin talking with people that have careers that you think may be of some interest. These people can give you first hand knowledge and share experiences about their careers which can assist you to determine your area of interest. They can also provide visits to their offices for a tour of their career aspects. Lastly, you can review a course catalog and request to audit a course (sit in on the course at no cost) to get a review of the subject area and what is covered in a particular career field.

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Q: FROM MENTEE SAKINAH E. IN MASSACHUSETTS
What are the best schools in the United States to attend to become a scientist?

A: FROM MENTOR MARTY CHINTALA, RESEARCH BIOLOGIST, U.S.E.P.A., ATLANTIC ECOLOGY DIVISION IN NARRAGANSETT, RI
There are many schools throughout the country that are good for scientists. But I think that deciding on what the best school would be is difficult without knowing what type of scientist you want to become. Some schools are good for certain things, but not others. Do you know what kind of scientist you want to become? Medical? Biological? Start with getting a general idea about what parts of science you like and then go from there.
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Q: FROM MENTEE WHITNEY L. IN KANSAS
I was wondering how to begin volunteering in a clinic or hospital in my area in order to get a feel for pediatrics. Who is the person I should speak with or go to?

NEW QUESTIONS!!!!

Q: FROM MELANIE T. IN KENTUCKY
I've heard that it takes on average 5 years to complete college rather than the previous 4 years. Is this correct? Why? Also what type of hours do you suggest taking in college?

Q: SANA A. FROM CONNECTICUT
I am working really hard and trying to get good grades, I have three honors classes. I am concerned about how I should be able to qualify for scholarship in college? What are the main things that I need to do right now to ensure that I get scholarship? =========================================================================
GEM-SET Daily Digest for November 16, 2001

Q: FROM MENTEE WHITNEY L. IN KANSAS
I was wondering how to begin volunteering in a clinic or hospital in my area in order to get a feel for pediatrics. Who is the person I should speak with or go to?

A: FROM MENTOR MARGO AUXTER, RADIATION THERAPIST AT ST. JOHN HOSPITAL IN TULSA, OK Depending on the size of your local hospital, there may be a volunteer coordinator in house who can direct you. The public relations or auxiliary department may have some info as well. Another option could be your school counselor. You may want to volunteer in many different areas of the hospital, there could be something out there that you may find you enjoy even more than pedis

A: FROM MENTOR KRISTIN TAGHON, SOFTWARE ENGINEER AT LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES IN NAPERVILLE, IL
All hospitals have a volunteer department. Call the hospital and ask for the Volunteer department and tell the person who answers that you're interested in volunteering. Ask them what kinds of volunteer opportunities are available to you and tell them which ones you are interested in. If you have a specific thing you'd like to do and they don't mention that, suggest that to them. They may make that opportunity available to you. Most hospitals need volunteers and would be happy to accommodate you, if it is possible and does not violate any of their rules or state rules.
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Q: FROM MELANIE T. IN KENTUCKY
I've heard that it takes on average 5 years to complete college rather than the previous 4 years. Is this correct? Why? Also what type of hours do you suggest taking in college?

A: FROM MENTOR MARSHA SEGEBARTH, PHD, INSTRUCTOR OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY AT UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN INDIANA
Melanie, Most college undergraduate majors are set up to be completed in four years. Most schools offer adequate core curriculum and major requirements each semester to enable a student to devise very workable schedules which allow for electives each semester. If you go to a smaller school, this may be something you need to consider; some schools do not offer every course every semester. Many courses have requirements, which means that you must complete a lower level course before enrolling in advanced courses. If the required courses are not offered each semester you must be careful not to get 'off track' - which could easily add a semester or year to your program. When advising students I always stress the importance of not overloading one's schedule. It is much more valuable in terms of learning and gpa to complete 12 hours of B or better grade courses than to squeak through (accompanied by stress!) 16 hours of C or D per semester. Another thing to consider is the number of lab courses per semester. Typically, in courses with labs the student spends a certasin number of hours in lecture plus a required number of hours in lab for the course. Lab time is commonly expected to equate to two hours of lab time for one hour of credit. Therefore, if you have a 4 hour biology course with a lab included expect to spend three hours in lecture and two hours in lab per week. You must also realize that for every hour you spend in lecture per week you should budget two hours study time outside of class. Perhaps now you can understand why I would advise a lighter load in terms of credit hours (especially if they are lab courses) over a heavier load - especially when you are beginning your college career. Another way you might complete your studies in four years rather than five is to take advantage of summer programs. Schools have summer programs which may be only one per summer, two per summer, intersession or May sessions immediately after the spring semester, or some combination. These allow you to take one or two courses in a very concentrated period of time (4 - 6 weeks or thereabouts) and earn credit that way. Many students take advantage of community colleges in their home area during the summer to pick up some credits, live at home, work full or part-time, etc. Basically, if you really want to finish in four years and do not have to repeat courses because of low grades it is possible.

A: FROM MENTOR CASSIE FENOSEFF, DESIGN RELEASE ENGINEER, AT GM NORTH AMERICA IN PONTIAC, MI
It can take people 5 or more years to complete college for several reasons, including taking time off, working full or part time while going to school, changing majors, etc. I think it is more important to be well-rounded, gain work experience in the field you will be working in, and major in something you really like (even if it means changing part way through) than it is to complete college in the minimum amount of time possible. I typically took 16 credit hours a semester during the long semesters (16 weeks long at my school), and 4 credit hours a semester during the short semesters (7 weeks long), and I finished in 3.5 years.

A: FROM MENTOR MOLLY WILLIAMS, PROFESSOR OF MECHANICAL AND AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING AT THE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCES, WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY IN KALAMAZOO, MI
There are several reasons that it might take five years to finish a college program. First, many students are working part time, so they take a reduced course load. Second, depending on the quality of their pre-college programs, they may have to take some preparatory courses before they start on their major. Third, many students are still exploring career possibilities, so they change programs while in college. All of these situations happen because the college population is far more diverse than it used to be; students who have some work experience or who have changed their minds about career goals are becoming much more prevalent than 18-year olds right out of high school. It is still possible to finish a college program in four years. But you have to be fully prepared for college-level courses; you have to take a full course load (4 or 5 courses every term), meaning you probably can't also manage a job at the same time; and you have little allowance for missteps or changes in direction. While I would not advocate dragging out the college experience, it's still a significant opportunity to explore, to meet people, to attend cultural and social events and to meet some leaders in their fields. Taking a slightly slower pace allows students more exposure to non-classroom events.

A: FROM MENTOR MARTY WOELFEL, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY AT KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY IN FRANKFORT, KY
Yes, statistics show that most students take more than four years to finish a baccalaureate degree. Almost every undergraduate program at almost every school will be listed as a 4-year degree, and when you look at a college or university's catalogue, often you will see what's called a "laddered curriculum" that shows how you can at least theoretically finish a degree from start to finish in 4 years. The "laddered curriculum" spells out which courses you should take which year and which semester. It also tells you how many hours to take in any one semester. Most full-time science students take at least 4 and more often 5 courses a semester for somewhere between 14-18 semester hours each semester. In practice, many students don't follow the laddered curriculum and either need to do summer work or go to school one or more extra semesters. Why? There's lots of reasons. I'll tell you about some of them, so maybe you'll find ways to avoid getting into a situation where you're in school for 5 or more years. This will be a long answer, so hang in there. 1.) Some students who enter college are not academically prepared for college work. For example, a student who scores low in math on the ACT or SAT may be required as a college freshman to take a developmental (sometimes called remedial) math course before enrolling in the first college math course. Although I don't have Kentucky statistics at my fingertips, a significant proportion of entering freshmen at Kentucky public colleges and universities have to do some developmental courses before starting "real" college courses. Math is most common; English is next. How do you avoid this problem? Take as muc