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Working over winter break
Every now and then, an opportunity hits my inbox. A possible internship, project, service activity, you name it. One September day, I got an email about a math education research position for a graduate student at the University of Tennessee (my current academic home). A faculty member wanted some help with a project for developing math curricula for middle school students. While I don’t remember the exact details about this project, I asked my research advisors about it, and they strongly discouraged me from taking it on.
Why? Well, I had indicated to them previously that I wanted to pursue a postdoctoral research position after graduating. They said that a project of this nature would not enhance my application for such a position; if instead I wanted to work at a liberal arts college, for instance, then the project would have been a great idea. To them, it was a matter of focus: focus on the things that will help me get the job I want. Anything related to math research (not math education) they seem perfectly OK with me pursuing, and have openly encouraged me to do as such.
What does that conversation have to do with winter break if it took place a few months ago? Well, it influenced how I spent my winter break: sure I relaxed, but I felt the need to keep busy so I wouldn’t get bored out of my mind. Rather than wander around aimlessly on a bunch of random projects, I…