Dr. Nobody™ Podcast
Dr. Nobody™ Podcast
Episode 12 - The Essential of Programs
In life, we have many opportunities or as I would like to call them, "gifts". Some come to us through people we know or by chance and some we have to actively look for. Either way, Programs are and will become an essential part of your career. In this week's episode, we talk to Wendy about Programs, specifically, one that she leads and is very close to her heart, The Ronald E. McNair program. I personally can attest that if it wasn't for this program, I would not be where I am today. You never know what "gift" will change your life, I know it did for me.
00:00.00
drnobodypodcast
Welcome everybody back to the Dr Nobody podcast today I have Wendy Wendy's been a good friend of mine a mentor to me advisor she was there for me when I was ah undergrad. So that's I oh man I don't want to say because then my age you but like. Little over 10 years ago now. But so it's been a while good times and I I asked Wendy to come in today to talk a little bit about herself and about the programs like the mcdair program that I joined in and how important it is in people's lives and how much it can contribute to your success. So Wendy say hi to our audience and just talk a little bit about yourself.
00:40.35
Wendy
Hello and hi Dr . nobody thank you so much for having me today. Um I you know I look forward to today's podcast and um, just wanted to let you know? Maybe it's you know it's been a pleasure meeting you or knowing you the last ten years um a little bit about myself so we can start about just where I come from and where you know where I'm at now. So um I started I came from the dominican republic when I was thirteen years old I was actually born here. But then I lived in dominican republic for about 6 years and then came back over here. Um, luckily I went to a bilingual program at Dominican Republic so when I came back. It wasn't that difficult for me since english you know I still practice my english over there. Um I came here in my eighth grade finished my high school year and then off to college I got my associates from Middlesex County College um got my bachelor's degree my masters from Cain. Um, and I'm pretty much been at Cain ever since. So I am a proud canin alum I've been working been in a canin for about 21 years now in total. Yes, exactly. So.
01:51.47
drnobodypodcast
Oh my gosh. It's basically the age of my brother I.
01:57.47
Wendy
Yeah I started as an ah you know as an undergrad I finished my undergrad I came um I did my masters and then I guess we'll talk about it a little bit later but then somehow I ended up you know, coming back to Kane as a full timer and I've been here ever since.
02:14.54
drnobodypodcast
Wow yeah, you got you got some time in there in history. You should own cain at this point that'd be pretty awesome. Yeah, that's great. Ah so I guess the first question is why did you go to the dominican republic and then come back.
02:18.74
Wendy
Ah I'm working on it working on it.
02:31.96
Wendy
Okay, okay, that's a great question. Um, so my parents um I've always been self-employed and back then my parents owned the travel agency and um it was like a money I'm trying to think about the word english it was messa where they send money to the Militaryica public and you received it.
02:32.90
drnobodypodcast
Was the factors there. So.
02:51.80
Wendy
So We went there in hopes of actually living there forever and retiring my partner plan to stay over there and you know stay living and then however business did not go as plans and we had to kind of almost immediately come back from the Dominican Republic to here. And my dad had to come back and make sure that you know businesses were back in order and you know that's pretty much why we ended up going and it was actually not our intent to come Back. We planned to stay there and you know the Dominican Republic but you know just didn't work out that way.
03:22.16
drnobodypodcast
Yeah, okay I mean it it is what it is you still learn from it and I guess I happened to me too I was in Puerto Rico for 2 years and I came back so it's a good experience to live somewhere else, especially your home. You know your other home.
03:34.70
Wendy
Yeah, actually it actually was a great experience. I have to say that um living there definitely is a different culture and I learned a lot. You know, um, even with the I feel like just being able to compare the living over here to dominican republic is so much different. Because over there I think you have more of a quality of life whereas here is more like hard. You know working and hustling so you know that's 1 thing that I look forward to maybe in the future to be able to go back at least you know, um, like a few years out of the month to be able to live you know back where I came from. So yeah.
04:08.78
drnobodypodcast
Just just straight up chill over there just relax, no snow. Yeah, that sounds good. Um, so you did your associates.
04:12.11
Wendy
Yes, yes, yes, yes, that's I'm hoping for it. Yes, good weather Sun Beach yes
04:20.72
Wendy
Is it.
04:22.80
drnobodypodcast
Ah, why did you choose to do an associates and then a bachelor's sometimes people usually decide to go straight for the bachelor since it's kind of the same almost the same thing.
04:28.41
Wendy
Yeah, yeah, so the reason why I chose to do my associates first was because I was paying for my you know my um, my own degree and obviously you know, um in terms of money wise it was more affordable. And I you know I've always been lucky where I lived at home and my parents took care of everything as far as like my housing you know, but when it came to studies and to college I kind of was the one that you know paid all my expenses so because of that um I just chose to go to community college to be able to save. More money so when I transferred over for the badchs I was able to you know afford it and I graduate with so much debt as you may know and.
05:10.69
drnobodypodcast
Yeah, yeah, yeah, definitely that's as can be crippling really slows people down. So after you did your batches. You did you do your master's ride after or did you wait a little bit.
05:23.20
Wendy
Yeah, so that that actually I did it right after so you know way. But when I graduated in 2002 um, just getting your masters alone was kind of like a big deal. So I wasn't even planning to go for my master's I was just thinking about. I'm gonna get my bachelors I'm gonna get a job you know work in the fields but I had a graduate assistantship I had a I'm sorry I was a student worker at the time at King University and the person who I worked for it told me I told her well I'm graduating you know it's been a pleasure working with you. But unfortunately I can't work with you anymore because I'm graduating. And then she told me well you can stay with me for another two years and I'm like how's that she goes well, you know I have a graduate assistant position if you're interested all you gotta do is apply for whatever program you want to apply for if you get it I'll request you to work in the department. You could be my graduate assistant. You can get your masters. For free and you'll work with me for two more years so I heard the word. So I heard the word free and I said absolutely you know and she I had a great working relationship with her I actually do whenever I see her on campus because she actually she recently retired but she worked with me for um, many years.
06:19.80
drnobodypodcast
Wow What a deal.
06:35.32
Wendy
I Always thank her for that because it wasn't really part of my plan to go straight into my master's degree but because this opportunity was given to me by her and it was mentioned by her. You know I took advantage of it and I went straight through.
06:47.79
drnobodypodcast
Would you consider her your mentor.
06:50.76
Wendy
Yes I would she would one of my mentors. Yes and she's the one that um, always kind of she also worked in cain for many years like I think like thirty plus years and she just retired and she was one that always told me like ah you know things that I should do and the benefits of working in a college and you know. That's what probably kind of steered me to going back to um you know college atmosphere. But yeah, she was the and she's someone that I you know I hold very dear to my heart and I'm very thankful for because I probably you know my degree is probably because of her my my master's degree because it was not It was definitely not.
07:22.60
drnobodypodcast
Nice.
07:28.73
Wendy
You know something that I thought about so I actually that it's funny because um I think the deadline to apply was like may 15 and I apply like may first and of course when you just apply for things and you don't care for it. You get it and then I got a response like you know mid june and of June and then she said okay, so.
07:40.33
drnobodypodcast
Yeah.
07:47.19
Wendy
You know she requested me and then I started working back again in the fall semester
07:49.77
drnobodypodcast
Man that is like the epitome of my life doing things last minute and getting it. Not even trying.
07:54.74
Wendy
Oh yes I know yes I know but I just feel like when you you don't really want something or you're not really, you know you're not stressing over something. That's when you really get it because my master's I was just kind of like well you know what I'll apply for it if I get it fine if I don't it wasn't really in my plans. Anyways.
08:04.25
drnobodypodcast
Yeah, yeah.
08:14.90
Wendy
But I ended up obviously getting in and then you know it all worked out.
08:16.20
drnobodypodcast
Yeah I think I We could all say that also resembles like when you're trying to find something in the house and you can't find it and then when you're not looking for it. You find it. That's that's ah.
08:23.80
Wendy
Yeah, yeah, ah yeah, yeah, that well I it's funny because that's happens to me all the time like I'll see something in my house out of place I see it every day The one day I'm looking for it I'm like it' I can't find it. That's just the windows.
08:35.53
drnobodypodcast
Um, yeah, that's the way it goes. Um, so I'm sorry if you mentioned it. But what were each of the your associated bachelor and master degrees in.
08:49.31
Wendy
Okay, so my associates was in business management. My bachelor's was in management science which is pretty similar to business management. But at Cain it was called management science and then my master's was in public administration. But actually I wanted to do my whenever you know when I was given this opportunity I was like okay, grad school I was looking at to what I should go into for grad school since it wasn't in my plans I hadn't really researched much about a I wanted to do um like an Mba. But unfortunately at that time in Cain we didn't have an Mba so the closest degree to the Mba was the Mpa which is why I ended up getting a master's in public administration. But it actually um if they would have had an Mba that's probably the route I would have taken um, but. You know it was the closest thing and it all worked out at the end because now I work at a university a public university and I'm a director there so you know things happen for me.
09:47.41
drnobodypodcast
So before we get into that yeah things happen for a reason. Why did you want to get an Mba. Why did you think that was the degree that you needed to get and.
09:55.66
Wendy
Okay, so ah, where I saw myself as an undergrad was always working um you know in a corporate management incorporate like I never really considered or thought about working at a university to be quite honest, um, you know one of my. Dream jobs back as an undergrad. Don't ask me why but I wanted to work in like Johnson and johnson as like ah a manager there you know like a big head hanho at you know at J And J or something like that. So. That's why in my mind as an undergrad you know Um, when I was asked to go to grad school I was. Told about it I thought about hey you know the closest thing to what I want and where I'm gonna end up working at would be an Mba but then I saw that you know that was an option and then that was the close. You know the best best thing the closest degree to what I wanted.
10:45.46
drnobodypodcast
Yeah, so it worked out for you in the end so doesn't matter. Um, so Wendy let's talk about more about what you do right now. So can you go over your professional side of things now.
10:48.43
Wendy
Okay, yes.
10:55.22
Wendy
Okay, okay, yes, so I'm currently a director of the mcneir scholars program where you were um, one of my students way back ten years ago yeah so um, for those of you that don't are not familiar with the mcnair scholars program.
11:08.19
drnobodypodcast
That's right? yeah.
11:14.98
Wendy
So what our program does is it works with low incomee first generation and or underrepresented students to promote them to graduate education as we know you know it's not very common that you know minorities because of lack of guidance or of assistance minorities. Um. Don't really know what to do as far as going for the graduate degree and if they do they don't have much guidance. So what my program does it kind of it promotes graduate education for students that are in need of or that don't have the support or guidance and you know I mean I guess we'll talk a little bit more afterwards about. What the mcnear program offers but you know in a nutshell it's you know, promoting graduate education.
11:58.64
drnobodypodcast
Okay, so the mcnair program where does it originate from where where did it come from.
12:04.58
Wendy
Okay, so it's funded by the department of ed and there have a few programs that are funded under the department of of ed one of them is like is the trio programs and under the trio programs we have several programs one of the more I guess common ones or more known ones. It's like the upper bound program. So we have like upper boundund talent search and then we have the student support services. The mcnair program. So our program is one of the like newest programs. It was starting 1986 so basically the upper boundund program has been around for I don't know thirty plus years those are like 1 of the first programs. So that's pretty much promoting from high school to college then we have the student support services program which is you know, advisement or help for the first two years of your college and then we have the mcneir program which is to assist and to promote graduate education. So. It's kind of like a. You know pipeline programs that we have through trio. But the overall goal of it is to promote obviously assistance for you know, low income first gen and underrepresented students to further their education.
13:10.37
drnobodypodcast
Nice and ah and I really appreciate that because in the in my episode before this I talked to the audience and say hey my experience was I didn't even know I wanted to go to college I didn't even know what research was until I met you literally. You're the one who introduced me into research and what it is and you know I got accepted to the program and it was history from there. But I think it is important for people to understand that there's a lot of opportunities out there. And for me, it was discovery through another professor who introduced me you but then from there you introduced me to all these other types of programs that are available. Did you always feel like you knew you wanted to do this like run these programs or help students or things like that and.
13:54.93
Wendy
So no as I mentioned so initially as I mentioned I was looking more into going to corporate so that was always my thing now I'll give you a little story on how I ended up working at Cain because as we all know you know we graduate from a certain degree and we're thinking to work somewhere. But then. You know things happen and you you end up working somewhere totally different than you expected. So you know I was you know I graduated from college in May of 2002 and then I was actually 2004 with my masters and I was looking to you know I was applying to different places at that time you know I was getting some interviews. It was not what I was looking for a lot of sales which I'm definitely not interested in and so I graduated may I was you know, actively looking for a job and then in December One of my good friends had told me he did my master's program with me and he was pretty much my study buddy the whole time as you know undergrad and grad. And he said hey you know we have this program at Cain is the gara program. We're looking. You know it's a brand new program. It's a grant program. We're looking for about 8 counselors to work with high school students and middle school students to promote. You know, um, college education are you interested in I said you know, um, you know it sounds I was like you know what. It's helping people you know I like to help people that's in my nature. So I said sure let me apply. So um I didn't think I was gonna you know, end up here but I applied I got the position and once I started working with students I you know I did realize like hey you know this is awesome like just. You know the the students that I work with and the amount that what I always was able to help them with you know like it was something very I guess satisfying satisfying and rewarding. So after I got in it by accident or by chance then I realized that it's something that I do see myself doing like long term. Because I actually enjoyed it.
15:47.00
drnobodypodcast
Yeah that's nice. Ah I mean to to give back sometimes and also help I mean I taught for a couple years young kids I also talk about in my podcast. How fulfilling that was actually changed my viewpoints in life a lot when you when you help out people like that. So It's always nice to do stuff like that. It really prepares you for other things. But do you feel like throughout your degrees your years of your training for getting your associates bachelor masters. Do you feel like it was adequate training to prepare you for what you're do now or do you think it just helped you get there and then you. Trained yourself as you progressed.
16:26.11
Wendy
So I would say it kind of helped me get there because obviously you know, um in the role that I'm in now as a director I needed the degrees but I felt like once I got in the position. That's when I learned more because I think I'm more of a hands on and as we all know you know college teaches you the basics. And you know my public administration. You know a few things did help me out or to help me out with what I'm currently doing but I would say that for the most part I've learned more you know helped me get to where I'm at but I think I've learned more throughout the years with the experience and in my different roles at the university.
17:01.10
drnobodypodcast
Okay, yeah, and that's pretty much a common theme I asked you that question because it is a common theme in the podcast of people doing a certain degree and they end up and you said it they end up doing something completely different I mean for me, it was obviously I stayed within but other people.
17:11.95
Wendy
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
17:19.35
drnobodypodcast
Did not which is totally fine. It's totally fine.
17:20.17
Wendy
I Mean mine was a little bit different but not completely I mean it was still management. It's just I was thinking to do more corporate and I ended up doing more you know I'm working at a university but it wasn't too different but you know slightly slightly.
17:34.13
drnobodypodcast
Okay, so can you tell us more about the mcnair program now I know this episode's focused on the mcnair program. But I just want the listeners to understand and hear about it to really see that this is one of I don't know. Thousands and thousands of programs out there. They're available to any type of person you know, student adult whatever it is but to hear what a type of program like this can do for them. So can you explain what the mcnair in depth. What what it does.
18:03.88
Wendy
Okay, so what our program does is we actually um, we work with students who are you know one of the main focuses and 1 of the questions. There's obviously several requirements to get in which is as I mentioned previously low incomee first gen certain Gpa but 1 of the major requirements is you have to have at least. And interest in graduate school. You know if you have at least an interest we can help you we can work with you now we run a summer research program a nine week Summer research program where during the program. You know you get paired up with a faculty mentor to do research now. Each research is dependent on your major. So in your case, you were a biology major. We paired you up with a biology professor now we like for the students to pick their faculty mentor so it's someone who they feel comfortable when they want to work with but some students don't have someone that they want to work with so we have like a pool of faculty mentors that we recommend based on. The interest of the student and the expertise of the faculty member. So you know we ah pair them up with a faculty member. Um, one of the main things they do during the summer is research obviously because that's one of the or the I guess the main purpose of the program is to prepare you for grad school and something that's really important for grad school. As you may know is research but aside from that you know we have a lot of different speakers that we bring we have um the gire prep we help you with presentations as you all know being part of our program during the end. Everyone has to present their research that they did during the summer which helps with the public speaking. And then you have to submit a paper as well. That has to be reviewed by your faculty mentor. Um, we do you know jerryry prep we send you to different conferences to present your research I'm pretty sure you attended a few of our conferences. Um, yeah, so we send you to conferences. You know we help you when you're ready on your senior so that during the summer we have
19:47.26
drnobodypodcast
I did yeah.
19:56.37
Wendy
Different workshops different speakers Giri Prep we go to different um graduate we do graduate college tours of the presentations. But during the fall semester especially during your senior year That's when we work with you very closely to um determine what universities you want to apply to so. Basically what they do we do is we work 1 on 1 with you during the fall semester help you identify what universities you would be interested in applying to and based on your major as well as help you with your personal statement because you know how important your personal statement and cv resume is for grad school and how difficult it can be. So therefore we help you with the preparation of your personal statement of your cv. We help you identify what schools you're gonna apply to. You know we try to do like some ph d programs because the ultimate goal of our program is to get a ph d um, obviously not all of them do but you know. Ultimately, that's what our main goal is but at a minimum we try to get them to do their master's degree. So you know we help you with that and when you're doing the garre buy benefits such as like the gre or fee reduction. Um the yeah g fee reduction as well as when you're applying for graduate programs. You don't have to limit yourself as to how many programs you're applying to because you know we give you um application fee waivers. So you you don't have to limitm yourself as to where you're applying and because you know nowadays applications are anywhere between but you know one hundred to one fifty per application. So if you're applying to ten fifteen schools we're talking about $1500 that you know some students may want to apply to certain programs but because of funding purposes or because of you know they don't can't afford it. They have to limit where they you know where they're applying to and also you know we try to get you into graduate programs. As well as provide like fellowships or you know assistanceships to you know because I understand that okay, the first step is to get into graduate school. The second part is to get some funding because I think a lot of our students may be interested in going to grad school but they can't afford it so you know we try to help you.
21:55.61
drnobodypodcast
Yeah, yeah.
22:04.83
Wendy
Determine you know what programs supply you and you know for you to get into a program as well as trying to get some fundings and the nice thing about being a mcnair scholars at some universities, especially the ones that have mcnair programs like they actually have scholarships specific for mcnair scholars. Like I know recently one of my students I just graduated in and the last spring semester he got um, full funding for um, Rpi in New York and it was based on the fact that he was a mcneir scholar so full funding for his masters for 3 years hu
22:33.88
drnobodypodcast
Wow, That's amazing as you were talking I wrote down the word all inclusive opportunity does that does that reflect ah pretty well this program. Well this program in particular because not all program is far like that.
22:44.60
Wendy
Okay.
22:51.42
Wendy
Yeah.
22:53.44
drnobodypodcast
Because I think 1 thing I just want to highlight was we got paid to do this and we got money to travel and eat and sleep in nice hotels. Not 5 star hotels but pretty decent hotels. So is that is that a fair definition of it.
22:59.69
Wendy
Yeah, and. Yeah, yeah, absolutely I mean and I I don't think I measure but during the summer program as you may know we provide housing in which for some students they've never lived on campus I think that was your situation correct. Carlos yeah, they've never lived on campus we provide you know, full housing.
23:20.90
drnobodypodcast
Yep, yeah.
23:24.97
Wendy
Meals you know, aside from that how many conferences did you attend Carlos and where did you go? Ah Dr nobody so how many conferences and um, you know would you say you attended while you were in the mcnair program. Yeah.
23:37.60
drnobodypodcast
I would say probably like over 20 ah easily. But I'm sure it was more now I wouldn't I didn't go to that bougie trip that you guys went to it.
23:43.52
Wendy
And did you go to California with us as well was that one of them or okay I don't remember this was like eleven years ago so I know vaguely remember I don't off some conferences that we attended but I wasn't sure you had to attend to that one and which one would you say was your most I guess. Impactful comp you know conference that you attended.
24:04.61
drnobodypodcast
Yeah I think it was when David Marvin and I went to the ship conference and it was like a really nice. Super nice hotel until we went into our rooms and realized that there was like 5 other dudes in there.
24:11.19
Wendy
Okay. Are.
24:21.66
drnobodypodcast
Already sleeping and we're like no this is not going to work so we ended up like sleeping on the couches or something I just but it was a really great conference and we got to meet a lot of advisors that would eventually like me personally an advisor that I have still to this day so things like that. So. It was a very unique experience. Little weird but it was fine. Yeah, but yeah, conferences. Ah, just where people understand are are usually meetings scientific, but it could be other types to um, where people get together and talk and whatever meet.
24:40.74
Wendy
Okay, okay, let's get.
24:58.52
drnobodypodcast
Learn new subjects presentation activities mentoring um all free stuff sometimes like goody bags so we always did those trips because we would come back with 2 luggages one for our clothes 1 for all the free stuff now they don't do that anymore. But back in the day I used to get so many computer parts and.
25:14.63
Wendy
Um, yeah, yeah, so a lot of conferences now I mean the same as before but a lot of them are also like um, major specific so they'll have like for science you know for scientists some for like architects. You know we'll have some for like math majors or you know women.
25:16.80
drnobodypodcast
Clothes that I would wear all the time it was. It was great experience.
25:33.90
Wendy
So a lot of the conferences that you know that our students to attend a lot of them are major specific but not all of them. Some of them are you know Interdisciplinary interdisciplinary.
25:40.86
drnobodypodcast
You know? So if you were to talk to somebody about not just the mcnair program about programs. What would you say to them to convince them that you should do a program of some sort and it doesn't matter if it's a student or not but just what would you say to them.
25:55.92
Wendy
Okay, so I think programs are extremely important. Um, mainly as an undergrad because people need to understand that you know a degree alone um is not really sufficient I think being involved in programs are you know something? That's a must. So for example for a lot of my students that I have gotten into ph d programs. They may not have had the highest Gpa but they've gotten into good. You know ph d programs reason being is because they've actually you know their Gpa may not be as strong but they've been involved in programs such as the mcneir program which you know just by saying. You know you've been involved in our program and knows that you have a little bit of research a little bit of background you know of what it takes for a graduate student and I've known people that have that have a 3.94 pono gpas that have not gotten into Phg programs because yes, their gpa is extremely high but that's all they have to show for. And then I have students at the Gpa may not be as strong but they are in programs such as our program and they do research and because of the experience that they have. They've been admitted into programs and I've seen that firsthand. So I think being involved in programs overall is very beneficial. It. I think as an undergrad you know if you can get into some type of programming. Definitely an internship but you know something additional from your undergrad experience because when you're graduating and you're looking for jobs. No one wants to hire someone. That's just straight out of college. They want to know well, you're you know they graduated from college but they also have a little bit of experience. So I think it goes hand in hand for you know Ah, the future for careers and you know moving forward.
27:33.64
drnobodypodcast
Yeah, and um, what do you think?? What do you?? What is the ultimate goal for these students to get out of the program now. Obviously you want them to apply and get into Ph Ph D Programs or Master's program. But what do you?? What is what's beyond that What else should they be getting out of these type of programs.
27:57.26
Wendy
I Mean so in in that case I Just think that if they don't end up going for Master or Ph D Programs Ahlisa Want them to experience what it is to potentially go to these programs because I've had students that have done. Let's say undergraduate research. Let's say in biology and then afterwards I say you know what after doing this research program I realize this is not really the area where I want to be at I prefer being in this other area like psychology for example and I've seen it. It's gone from biology to Psychology. It's gone from computer science to Math. You know so. I I Just want them to you know have take a little bit of experience and see if it doesn't work for Them. You know, then what else can they do? So I think that either way it'll be beneficial because even if you don't like what you did with us in the program at least you know that. So moving forward. You know where you don't want to be or what you don't want to do.
28:51.72
drnobodypodcast
Yeah, and theoretically speaking they're also not wasting their money going to another you know another school to only find out later on like I don't want to do this which I already had couple people on this podcast who've said that it's like my degrees in this and. Realize I want to do this something else and it took me 4 years to figure that out and hundred thousand dollars you know it's it's unfortunate, but you know you're giving the amount opportunity to figure that out early on. So.
29:14.87
Wendy
Yeah, for.
29:20.47
Wendy
Yeah, and then even like for example, research so as you mentioned you didn't know about research before you get into my program correct. So just the fact that you know you were able to experience and realize well you know what I do like research I mean most people look at research as being like a boring or not what I like but. Half of them haven't even done research to know whether or not they're interested so I just want them to come into my program you know and experience everything and then from there be able to determine what is that they liked and what they didn't like and then maybe say hey you know what? this is definitely the area that I want to go into and the good thing about the research program is. We try to recruit you like in your sophomore year so you're with us for about 2 years so if you didn't like how I went the first summer and with a major or a professor. You can always try the second summer with someone else or you know different major or different discipline and see how that works out for you. And as you mentioned before they go to grad school. They can figure out exactly what they want so they're not wasting their time in grad school.
30:19.87
drnobodypodcast
Yeah, ah I talk about it a little bit in my episode but I'll just tell people how I met you and then there's a question that follows up so I was in my genetics class in the lab and I was helping set up the lab and I had a research paper on.
30:27.60
Wendy
Um, that this.
30:39.54
drnobodypodcast
Meagascar which is fruit fli and we were doing experiments and the professor had looked at my paper and was basically said um you know why are you reading a research paper and I'm like oh I didn't know this was a research paper I just was reading it thought it was just I don't know I don't know what I called it back then just an article or whatever. And she's like no, that's research that's like all this so you're interested I'm like oh I don't know what that word is and then she told me to go down the hall which where you were in your closet at that time of an office and go talk to you and that's that's how I met you and was introduced to the program now if I didn't yeah.
31:06.68
Wendy
Yeah.
31:15.98
drnobodypodcast
Get introduced to your program that way I don't know how I would have learned about it. So what advice would you give to people about learning and discovering programs that they don't know about so.
31:25.58
Wendy
Okay, well just to give you a little bit of background on about that you didn't know about our program because we were fairly new. So yeah, so that's yes, so you know in in the case that you didn't know about us is because we had just gone on the ground for the first time in 2007 I believe so our first.
31:31.10
drnobodypodcast
Yeah I think you were still setting up.
31:44.66
Wendy
Summer program is 2008 and that was our first recruitment. So obviously no one really knew about us because we were fairly new but in the case like now where we've been around for like a few years I would always say you know I tell every student that's on you know as undergrad you know, look into different. We have a department of campus. You know that has. A list of all the different programs and activities and you know scholarships pretty much everything that your university entails and I always tell them look at all these different opportunities because something may be of interest to you and beneficial. So for example, if you look at the description of my program. It says you know if you're interested in grad school. So for the students that actually read through it and say well you know what grad school is something that I want to do then they know they can come into my program. So I always tell them that you know be involved as involved as possible with the campus. But definitely you know, be involved with programs activities clubs. You know. I think of the fact that you're a well-rounded person helps you you know and long-term to get into these different programs. They want to see someone that doesn't only have a 4 point but also is involved in activities and you know I think they look into that a little bit stronger. Then just the 4 pointer alone.
32:58.84
drnobodypodcast
Yeah, no absolutely I think ah sometimes as someone who didn't have the greatest grades in the world. Um not saying I was a bad student but I you know I struggled yeah but um I think it's sometimes beyond the grades that really give your the value of a student or.
33:04.99
Wendy
The sight of.
33:18.57
drnobodypodcast
Of any person. Unfortunately, That's how our society is for a long time until you basically finish school and then that's not about that's how many lines on your resume or your Cv you can fill out. Um, so ah, what and I know you're gonna be biased on this answer. But I'm going to ask you Anyway, do you think it's important for anyone to obtain a terminal degree like a Ph D an M D a farm D Um, you know things like that. Do you think it's important. But.
33:49.10
Wendy
So I am gonna be biased obviously because I work for this program. But I think it is because especially now we see the number of students who have right now. The Bachelor's is kind of like a minimal right now so we see how students are getting more masters and more Ph Ds. So now when you're going out to Workforce. You know it's a combination of your degrees as well as your experience. So I think that especially now maybe when I was you know an undergrad student. It probably wasn't as important because the reality is that when I got a master's that was like a big deal Now. It's like okay you have a master's you know, great. But I think where we're at now like the way things are going Now. It is extremely important because you know by you getting these terminal Degrees. You have the experience. You know you have the knowledge So when you're looking for certain Jobs. You're able to say okay I don't only have the experience but I also have the knowledge and you know I have. It's kind of like combination of everything and then that makes you a little more you know, um, more likely to be able to get certain jobs that you may not have if you had a terminal degree.
34:55.69
drnobodypodcast
Okay, that's fair I mean I knew what I was getting myself into when I asked that question but I wanted to ask you. It's fine and and I I also am a proponent for terminal degrees but some people just can't you know you know for life reasons or financial reasons. But.
35:01.16
Wendy
Yeah, that's like.
35:10.30
Wendy
I think I think mainly nowadays what I'm hearing more from my students is that if they were to get accepted to a program with funding they're more likely to go I think the biggest you know, um factor that they're not going these days is more so financial. That's what you know? That's what I hear most that's why.
35:25.56
drnobodypodcast
Yeah, yeah.
35:30.00
Wendy
And you know when you're in my program we try to not only get you into graduate program but also try to catch your funding because if we get you both. You know it's very likely that you will succeed and you will you know finish? Yeah, yeah, yeah.
35:40.81
drnobodypodcast
Yeah, money talks definitely when it comes to that especially when it's like four plus years of your life you know, but.
35:49.19
Wendy
Yeah I've had students that have gotten into certain programs that they really really like with no funding versus other programs that there you know they like it but it's not their top choice but they're giving them a full you know stipend and you know free tuition So full tuition and you know stipend So What do they do? they end up going to the one that provides them the. You know stipend Intuition. So.
36:08.64
drnobodypodcast
Yeah, or or people like me who only have one option because they only got accepted to 1 place. That's right, yeah, the one advice I got for my mentor from vanderbilt because.
36:15.81
Wendy
That's all you need all you need is 1 place and like and you got it to 1 place and look at you now. So that's perfect.
36:26.11
drnobodypodcast
When I did the mcnair prior I did the 1 year and then the following year I did a different research program. Um, and that person still mentors me. He told me when I was applying is that how many schools have you applied to him like I've applied to five six schools he's like okay when you calculate that. In terms of how many schools are available in the United States just the United States let's say 5000 graduate schools. You've only applied to like less than 1% of them right? So he's like you got to pump those numbers up. You got apply to like 2030? Whatever I'm like I don't have that kind of money you know at the time obviously I didn't.
36:46.70
Wendy
Um, and.
37:00.72
drnobodypodcast
People are in your program they could um, increase your chances to somewhere you couldn't go and and 1 thing and I've gotten it out of the program mcnair program too and I still tell this to people. It's not about what school you end up going to It's what you get out of it. It could be I mean. Be fair there some schools that are terrible but there could you know whatever school is Kane when I was there wasn't the top-noch school as it is now I mean it's it's great. It's I mean my brother loves it. My sister wants to go there I have a bunch of friends that go there now. They love it. And it's great There's so many new buildings because I go there now and I'm like I don't remember this building I remember this building but they're doing great and you know you're doing great work there too. So it's just what you get out of it and I think personally me I've gotten great out of it to people my cohort and people that you know got great. Got. A lot of out ah out of the program. so it was great um so I have a couple questions left for you and 1 of them is I just was curious. What do you do what do you what is your direct role in the mcnara program for the students like what if. Tell us your day in the life of Wendy the director of the mcnair program and.
38:10.81
Wendy
Okay, so obviously you know ah day day to day changes obviously but you know the number one priority of our program is obviously students so you know we have a walk-in policy as you already know so you know the first thing is students whenever they come in. Have to make sure we're there for them. You know for whatever they need That's obviously the priority aside from that my like direct I guess role is I do the management of you know, budgeting reporting. Um. Grants which now I'm writing my grant for our next proposal which is due in and a few months but you know basically we you know during in my program. You know we talk about we have to worry about the recruitment for the summer program make sure that we're picking the best or at least the students that we think are the best for the program we have to do programming for the summer during the academic year we have to make sure that my students are meeting with their counselor. You know at a minimum twice per semester and if it's their senior year probably like every other week. Um, but you know my thing is that even though I don't work directly with the students because my counselor does all the students know that I'm available. You know for anything so that's the 1 thing that I do miss about being the counselor of the program is I had a much closer interaction with the students which that's the only only thing that I miss whereas now I mean I'm I'm still you know part of the students and I still have a relationship with them. But it's not as close as I used to when I was ah you know obviously a counselor but you know, um I always tell my counselor myself students come first. They're the priority we're here for the students and then obviously you know even though you know by me providing different. You know, speakers and programmings and. College tours and all the different things that I put together. It is helping the students. You know it's just not a direct contact with them. So.
40:05.90
drnobodypodcast
Yeah, that's fair, you're doing the the top notch stuff.
40:10.19
Wendy
Yeah, but I miss I honestly miss the 1 thing I miss about being a counselor is having you know and you know this because I work with you as a counselor was that relationship. You know obviously as a counselor you meet with the counselor more frequently more often. So you build a stronger relationship with the counselor more so than the director. But I always make sure that all my students know that if they need anything like I am available to them and I do have a few that come, but obviously the connection is much closer with the counselor because they meet more frequently. So I know but I you know yeah and I still you know.
40:40.87
drnobodypodcast
Yeah, yeah, well we're still friends. So.
40:47.51
Wendy
Friends with a lot of my you know Mcner scholars my former you know my alum and I miss you all very much.
40:54.17
drnobodypodcast
We miss you too I miss being in college. It's it was a simple life. Ah yeah, that's a whole different podcast episode. Um, so wrapping it up here I always ask my guests the same 2 questions. Um.
40:57.97
Wendy
Yeah, now it's like real life right? Real bills and real responsibilities I.
41:13.35
drnobodypodcast
Ah, first one being what are the best and worst moments in your life or your career and you can feel free to answer in terms of life or career.
41:20.63
Wendy
Okay, so let's start I guess with the worst so my worst and I wouldn't call it worse I wouldn't call it worse. But um, I've been very blessed. You know throughout my whole you know, um, career to have been working with good people have good experiences. But if you want to talk about something that maybe is a little bit. Disappointing to me is when I recruit students to the program and I see how they have so much potential and you know when I interview them I'm like okay the student's gonna be great. He has so much going for themselves. You know I see them doing this and that and in my mind I envision them doing big things. And then when it comes to graduation. They're like oh well, you know I don't know what I'm gonna do and then they kind of fall off and then you have other students when when you're you know, interviewing them. You're like well they're not really strong I'm not sure how it's going to work and you know those are the ones that kind of and they being the most successful sometimes. So I guess the only thing is for me, it's a little disappointing when I you know when I bring in these students into my program and I see the potential in them like such potential and then they end up not doing that much with it afterwards like they end up just kind of falling off the program or not going to grad school or not participating. So I guess that's the most I guess disappointing thing that I have to come across throughout my career. Um and the best is obviously seeing my students succeed so when I have students that I work with as yourself. Dr Nobody and I see where you're at to date. That's actually you know that brings like join me and this is why my job is so fulfilling to me. It's because I like to help people that's just in my nature and when I see students that I've worked with and I've helped come back to me, you know 1015 years down the road and tell me hey you know because of your program I am where I'm at today. That's like the most. Rewarding part of my job which was why you know I enjoy working for the mcneir program. Um, it's just you know I like to see people succeed and I like to help that's just something that I've always had in me and when I see people like you when you know when I talk to you guys and you guys are also successful. It makes me so proud to know that you know you were in my program and that based on what you guys tell me you know we my program impacted you in who you're at today. So that's the best part of my job is the success of all my students.
43:38.53
drnobodypodcast
Yeah, yeah.
43:46.17
drnobodypodcast
That's really great to hear and and on the side. Yes, that your program definitely set me up for success I Don't think I'd be here if it wasn't for the program. So.
43:53.99
Wendy
Um, I That's all I need to hear so when I hear stories like this that makes me happy and that's you know that's what makes me you know, worthwhile me working in this program is people like you it.
44:06.30
drnobodypodcast
So thank you and thanks for sharing that? Um, so the final question is what are 5 essential things you think you need to succeed in your life or career and it doesn't have to be 5 It could be 4 3 to 1 Whatever. But.
44:24.16
Wendy
Sure So I think um one important one First of all is persistence. So I tell students in my program. You may not be the strongest. You may not be you know im sorry the the smartest that you think are the brightest. But if you're persistent.
44:24.28
drnobodypodcast
Yeah, can you share that with us and.
44:43.11
Wendy
And what you want you will get it. So My thing is I tell all my students if you have a drive for it and you just work on in your persistence about it. You will get there. Um I would say passion if you don't have passion with what you do? The reality is that you know there's really to me. There's really not worth you know it's not worthwhile. So if you don't have passion in what you're doing. Do you really want to go to work day to day like okay I have to go to work now when you have passion for something you enjoy going to work and it doesn't even seem like work. It just seems like okay I'm gonna work. Um, what else I would say um, don't um.
45:12.23
drnobodypodcast
Yeah.
45:22.39
Wendy
Happened Buby Um, the teachers said we're going to be were on Ver Road Mar Wonderful Okay cars one second. Okay.
45:31.58
drnobodypodcast
You start the yeah, you're good now you said you were on passion about if not having passion then there's no point of going to work and.
45:40.82
Wendy
Okay, all right? So I finished out. Okay sorry um so I would say hardworking I think everything in life. You know you have to put in the work to see the results. So if you're not you know, working hard. Whatever it is that you do whatever it is that you want.
45:44.33
drnobodypodcast
And it's okay.
45:58.96
Wendy
You have to you know, put in your time invest to be able to you know, get where you're at so I think being a hard worker is a must as well. Um, how many did I mention Carlos I'm sorry my son that my son literally put a bluff.
46:08.91
drnobodypodcast
So that's ah, that's 3 It's okay, hard worker was 3 but you don't have to make 5 if you don't have it 5
46:17.37
Wendy
Okay, I'm passion hardworking persistent. Um I dont I'm tryinging what else I literally like I don't know why he came in here I was messing up my flow. But. Um, let me think of that so I have 3 um I would say Carlos let's see what else.
46:48.36
Wendy
Ah I would say I focus yourself. What do we have? Um I don't know persistency. Maybe how do work I do.
47:02.11
drnobodypodcast
You don't have to make 5 some people have only given me 2
47:08.19
Wendy
Okay, I'll do one more I guess um, having a positive attitude I think that your attitude can get you a very long way I mean I Always when I'm interviewing sometimes I'd rather work with someone that is just someone willing to work with than someone that always has a positive attitude and brings a positive energy to the environment. Versus someone. That's super smart but the attitude is not there. So I think that's important as Well. You know, um, having a good positive attitude and as you know because you've been on me for years I'm a very high energy positive person and I think because of that so many blessings have come my way. Because of the way I am and you know the way I try to you know, make people um all the time like be as happy as I can so that makes you know that makes it's helpful.
47:55.63
drnobodypodcast
I like that one that one's a good one? Yeah, so we're gonna wrap up here I'm gonna ask you first a question which is and I'll repeat this in the actual version. But um, that ah people could reach out to you on your Linkedin because you shared that I'm not gonna say your Instagram even all I'll put it on the. On the on your profile but at Linkedin and then you could say yes, but you don't have to say your' Linkedin and then I'll just thank you for coming and then I'm going to say yeah that I'll have it on the website. Yeah, you don't have to say it what the what the name is um.
48:21.91
Wendy
Like I could just say I could just say my Linkedin and then you'll have it. Um I could just say me okay, good so that okay.
48:34.59
drnobodypodcast
And then I'm at the end then I'll just say thank you and you can say you're welcome more. You don't have to say anything and then I'm just gonna read off my my end part and then we're done. Okay, all right here we go Wendy. Thank you so much for everything. Thank you for sharing and being here I just want to know.
48:42.65
Wendy
Okay, didn't okay.
48:53.86
drnobodypodcast
Are the listeners able to reach out to you in any way.
48:55.10
Wendy
Yes, um, thank you again? Dr Nobody for reaching out to me. Um, yes, if you want to if you're a Keyne student. Um I highly encourage you to come visit me. Um, located in Hutchinson. The third floor if you want to know a little bit about the mcnair program just to see if it's even a fit for you. You know we have an open door policy so feel free to pass by. We're Hutchinson 3 3 4 e um you can look at my Linkedin. Um, we also have ah a mcnair instagram that you can look at for more information but do stop by and get a little bit more information about our program to see if it's something that you're interested in. Or if it's a good fit for you.
49:35.54
drnobodypodcast
Yep, that makes sense. Thank you very much listeners I hope you gain plenty of insights today. This is the beginning of becoming a someone but specifically to someone you always wanted to be I hope you enjoyed this episode and if you did please do give me a like review and subscribe to the podcast. You can also visit my website. The http://drnodypodcast.com to learn more about my guests and listen to the episode again share this episode and much more thanks again for listening to Dr Nobody Podcast where we turn nobodies to somebodies talk to you all very soon.