Resources

URCA Grant & Conference Mini-Grant: https://urca.ucsb.edu/urca-grant 

Environmental Studies Dept. Mini-Grants for Undergraduate Research, Creative Activities, and Special Opportunities Grant

https://es.ucsb.edu/scholarships $1000

*First-generation students only

Research funding 

Gene and Susan Lucas Fund Grant https://academics.sa.ucsb.edu/scholarships/gene-susan-lucas-undergraduate-research-fund $1000

SACNAS Career Pathways Grant  https://forms-csep.cnsi.ucsb.edu/forms/apply/grants/application.php?Program=SACNAS $1000-5000

NB: app's are due in late winter/early spring - purposes vary (broadly for research/professional environmental experiences) Misc. Environmental Studies Department Scholarships https://es.ucsb.edu/scholarships  - $2000-4000 - apps due early spring

Summer research and conference expenses 

Edison STEM Research Scholarship 

https://datascience.ucsb.edu/news/announcement/423 

*Low-income and first-generation students only

Academic supplies (textbooks, laptops, etc.), research supplies, conference expenses, and professional development funding

AS/EOP Grants - year-round https://eop.sa.ucsb.edu/services/grant 

Research, business, or otherwise creative projects (can pretty much be anything you can think of that helps our coast/ocean/local community)  *Projects must pertain to ocean/coastal work 

AS Coastal Fund Grants: https://coastalfund.as.ucsb.edu/ 

Mentoring Relationships:  Maximizing the opportunity

Interested in mentoring--or being mentored? We offer three ways of engaging with mentors: Mentoring by Mingling at "Big Ideas" symposia and social events; 1 x 1:1 Mentoring - meeting once for conversation; 1:1 Mentoring--commit to meet several times over the school year.  

Guidelines:  what do I discuss at the first meeting?

Give some thought to what you want to get out of the experience. 

• What do you hope to learn? Even if their work doesn’t align with your current interest, they know a lot about the field generally and can likely offer sound advice.
• How can you achieve your goals? should you set an agenda? When?
• How often should you meet and where? (Remember: we pay for a coffee or a lunch!)
• How often is it OK to get in touch, and how--email? call / text?
• What should you do if they don’t respond? Understanding they’re busy, be sure to find out how long to wait before re-sending.
• Strategize together about finding research, internships, and jobs. They aren’t there to offer you a job, but they can help you develop your strategy.
• What would you like your mentor to know about your experience at UCSB? Most mentors don’t know what they don’t know about the struggles many students face, personally and financially.  To the degree to which you're comfortable sharing information, help them understand your situation.
• They may ask: Why did you choose this field? Is your family supportive? Again, answer as you see fit. Understand this comes from their curiosity and reflects their eagerness to engage.
• Internships: They can help you by discussing your search for opportunities and for funding.  Consider first looking into ES funds.

Don’t take up your time together asking for help with resumes and cover letters—at least not until you’ve done our workshops and sought our editorial assistance.

No matter whether you are meeting once or throughout the year, remember that these are professional relationships and, as such, they require that both parties show respect by being on-time, responding to correspondence promptly, and, by not sharing or expecting information that might make you or the mentor uncomfortable, always treating each other with respect

We are glad that you are a part of this Program. If you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Program Director, Heather Stanford.

SUGGESTED QUESTIONS FOR "Info-Interviews":

Thanks to Lisa Tobin, Senior B-ES Fellow, for providing these questions to consider when doing an "info-interview":

How did you get into this industry? 

If their education is not in the environmental field, or they moved from academia into industry,  what made them switch? What skills or experiences did they harness from previous jobs to pivot into environmental field?

While you were an undergrad, what did you do that helped you get where you are today? improve your skills? find jobs?  What skills have you leveraged to get to your position?  What skills would you look for in hiring someone for the job you hold today?  

Looking back on when you were a senior in college,

Thanks to Lisa Tobin, Senior B-ES Fellow, for providing these questions.

How did you get into this industry? 

If their education is not in the environmental field, or they moved from academia into industry,  what made them switch? What skills or experiences did they harness from previous jobs to pivot into env. Field?

While you were an undergrad, what did you do that helped you get where you are today? To improve your skills? find jobs?  What skills have you leveraged to get to your position?  What skills would you look for in hiring someone for this job?  

Looking back on when you were a senior in college, what advice would you give yourself?

How much of your role is engaging with others or with clients? How often do you work independently? Do you enjoy your engagement at X company or x’s company culture?

How do you stay up to date with the industry? Are there any resources you recommend?

How did you know this was the right fit for you? Are you planning on continuing in this industry or career? 

What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced working up to the position you have today? How did you overcome them, and what are your biggest takeaways?

What are the most rewarding aspects of your job? In what ways do you think you’re having a positive impact in your industry / your community?  What are some successes that you are proud of? Is there anything about your field that you don’t enjoy or didn’t expect to experience? 

How is your work life balance? Has it changed since first working in your field? How much has it varied across companies, industries, or careers?

What was the best advice anyone ever gave you? How has it helped you get to where you are now?

Do you have any advice for an undergrad looking to work in this industry?