Hosted by Franklin Institute
Describe your experience working with your host.
I participated in the Career Exploration Fellowship during the spring of 2023, and I was a 4th year PhD student in the SAS Biology Department. I was partnered with Dr. Jayatri Das, the Chief Bioscientist at the Franklin Institute. I applied the fellowship with the goal of exploring my interests in science communication, education, and outreach, and I was very excited to be paired with the Franklin Institute. I had a fantastic experience working with Dr. Das, and I gained valuable insight into the roles of a science communicator at a museum. Dr. Das and I held regular meetings to discuss my interests and career goals, and she also facilitated informational interviews between me and other professionals in various positions at the museum. I also joined team meetings every other week to help make connections and gain a broader idea of how exhibits and public programs are designed.
What was the most valuable part of your CEF experience?
The most valuable experience I gained during my time at the Franklin Institute was the opportunity to help design a public event centered around discussing science and society, called a “Conversation Lab.” The event featured a short talk by a distinguished civil engineer on the intersections between air pollution, traffic, and public transportation, and the health and safety disparities faced across communities due to their proximity to traffic. Following the talk, attendees from the general public participated in interactive activities that Dr. Das and I designed to generate conversation around how Philadelphians are impacted by traffic-related hazards. We challenged the audience to think scientifically and brainstorm solutions for mitigating these issues, while also considering the potential tradeoffs of each solution from the perspectives of different stakeholders.
How does your CEF experience benefit your future career plans?
Designing the Conversation Lab gave me the opportunity to become involved in a science outreach initiative that produced concrete benefits for my community, and it helped me build my skills as a science communicator and identify areas where I can continue to improve. The CEF also enabled me to establish connections in the field and gain valuable information about different career paths in both the museum and broader science communication space, which will be instrumental in helping me determine future career paths in communication, education, and outreach. Finally, I also benefited greatly from the additional CEF programming that was offered throughout the semester by Career Services, which included workshops designed to teach us how to improve our resumés, schedule informational interviews, and use tools like LinkedIn to seek out employment opportunities.
For any PhD students reading my post: I strongly recommend applying to this program!
