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fight the Fear: A Student's honest look at life in Graduate School
Amherst , MA
On her very first day of graduate school three years ago, Lieselle Trinidad was frightened.
“I was so scared. I remember going to class and feeling like…I have to be all prepared, have my pencil case and my little notebook…and I remember feeling so ready to go.”
And went she did.
A New York native who voluntarily describes herself as an engineering dork, Lieselle Trinidad is a third year graduate student in the Engineering Department at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst . She successfully juggles a busy schedule laden with work as a Teaching Assistant for two undergraduate courses, her research in biomechanics-based design in custom foot orthotics, swimming, and, if that isn't enough, a course she teaches at Gold's Gym.
Lieselle, a talented woman who could give Wonder Woman a run for her money, is always busy, her history as a competitive swimmer contributes to her ability to manage time effectively.
“Plan out what you have for the month, and then the week, and then the day,” Lieselle advises. “I do a lot of writing…in my planner. I think about it in advance, but not too much in advance. Think about tomorrow today.”
Although Lieselle's life seems very much like all work, and no play, she admitted that the easiest way to finish up a long day of work is a carefully balanced diet of t.v., meditation, and the occasional journal entry.
“[Watching TV] helps me just zone out and not think about anything, but just be blank.” Lieselle shared. “Another thing I like to do is meditate, because it helps get me centered and a lot of times I do get flustered and overwhelmed.”
Time isn't the only challenge that graduate students face, however. Like many other incoming students, Lieselle initially had to face the difficulties of graduate school by herself.
“You need a support system. Even if you move some place where you know no one or you are completely alone, you need to find some place where you fit in.” Lieselle stated. “You're going to need it. Grad school is tough.”
Lieselle has many different support systems, all of which include the friends she has made at Gold's Gym, as well as a swim team. However, she also has support that comes from the Northeast Alliance.
The Northeast Alliance is an organization that is dedicated to the recruitment of underrepresented minorities in the sciences, technology, engineering and math. According to Lieselle, who found out about the Northeast Alliance from a friend, the organization has been helpful for her.
“We talked about things that are difficult in grad school. Meeting them and sharing this stuff was an instant bond and a support system that was there. It is some place where I always know I can go.”
Besides her desire to change the world, Lieselle feels a strong responsibility to be a torch-bearer for minorities within the technical field. She is currently the only woman of color in her department, and has never had a Latina professor within her field as a mentor.
“I feel a responsibility as a whole for opening doors for minorities in technical fields. There is always a need for mentors and role models, and when you don't really have an option of having one that can relate to you more, it makes a difference. I would love to be that person.”
As for the future, Lieselle hopes to be finished with her degree within the next three years. She is already thinking about where she would like to teach after she graduates from UMASS.
“You need to focus on what you want. You can't get what you want to achieve without envisioning it and having a goal. Even if you fall short of that goal, you are at least working towards something.”
Although her path to a Ph.D seems somewhat seamless, Lieselle added several words of wisdom for incoming graduate students.
“It's going to be hard. You need to know that when you come in. No matter what field you're in, no matter what you're doing. It's going to challenge you. That's what grad school is about. You're going to question why you're here at some point and you're going to question whether this is right. You have to be prepared to keep going.”
From her upbeat, yet matter-of-fact attitude about life in grad school, one thing is made clear:
Lieselle Trinidad isn't afraid anymore.
(Rachel Jessica Daniel)
SACNAS Arrives at UMASS
Almaris Alonso recently founded the UMASS chapter of The Society for the Advancement of Chicanos, Latinos, and Native Americans in Science. Although it is new to this area, SACNAS is a thirty-three year old national organization.
Founded in 1973 by a group of professors, SACNAS' goal is to promote advanced science education for Chicanos, Latinos, Native Americans, and other underrepresented minorities. This organization helps students find fellowships as well as universities to attend. It is designed to assist undergraduate, graduate, postdocs, as well as K-12 teachers.
“Latinos and other underrepresented minorities--its not that they don't finish grad school because they can't, it's because they didn't find the right orientation or mentoring programs. As soon as they find where the resources are, then they will be able to move on and give something back to their children.” Almaris said passionately.
SACNAS is an organization that can help students find the resources they need in order to be successful within an academic environment.
“We try to help them to achieve their goal, to increase the number of students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.” Almaris said.
An annual national conference is held every year with workshops and activities that correlate with a designated theme. About 3,000 people attend this conference. Fellowships are offered to students that absorb the majority of the conference's cost.
“There are so many sessions, for Ph.Ds, for teachers, for women in science. The students have the ability to present their research.”
The conference is a life-changing experience for those who attend. Not only is it a place where students can network and gain professional development in their area of interest, it is also a place where students can enjoy themselves and make lasting friendships.
“The environment in SACNAS is so comfortable that you feel it in your heart. That is what makes this society so different.” Almaris shared.
On a more local level, the chapter at UMASS is steadily growing. There are roughly 35 members, and is always looking for more students. Almaris, a ten year member of SACNAS, founded the chapter because she wanted to help others the way the organization helped her.
As the founder and current president of the local chapter, Almaris provides both academic and emotional support for UMASS members. Because students of color are underrepresented at graduate institutions, SACNAS offers a place where they can encourage and support one another.
“They see me as the mother, and they usually come to me. We discuss any type of issue. It's open for everybody.”
Although the local chapter is not yet one year old, it has already won a SACNAS Role Model of the Year Award for meeting many of its goals. Some of those goals included the opening of the first SACNAS in Puerto Rico and increased student enrollment in the organization on the East Coast. There are roughly 35 members, and they are always looking to recruit more members.
Almaris is a life member of SACNAS, and is dedicated to helping it grow. Future goals are to increase knowledge of SACNAS on the East Coast. Because it started on the West Coast, many students on the east coast who could benefit from this organization don't know about it. The local chapter has already begun spreading the word in local communities, such as Springfield.
Almaris encourages all people of color to join the organization. The title has been a deterrent to some students because they are not Chicanos or Native Americans.
“The first thing that they notice is the Chicano word. It's open to everybody. It doesn't matter if a North American is going to participate.”
Almaris is so involved with SACNAS because she firmly believes in the development of her community.
“After you start your education, never forget your community. Give something back to them” she advised.
SACNAS is Almaris' way of doing just that.
Lieselle E. Trinidad
School: Mechanical Engineering
Focus: Biomechanics/Kinesiology
Current Research: Lieselle's research focuses are in the areas of design and optimization of assistive and rehabilitative devices.
Lieselle Trinidad was born in New York City ( Manhattan ), where she attended one of the three NYC specialized high schools, Brooklyn Technical High School. In May 2000, Miss Trinidad graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo with a B.S in Mechanical Engineering. Upon graduation, she accepted a full-time position with General Motors Corporation (GM) in the College Graduate In Training (C.G.I.T.) Rotational Program. After the conclusion of the C.G.I.T. program, she developed her technical and leadership skills in the Pre-Production Operations Group where she worked as a process engineer on the 3900 LZ5/LZ8 prototype engine cylinder head. Miss Trinidad's 4-year tenure at GM honed her passion for engineering education, and she decided to pursue her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering with a focus in Biomechanics. Lieselle was recently awarded the GEM Fellow of the Year Award.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE:
Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA Mechanical Design Automation with application to biomechanical/Assistive devices
Development of modeling and analysis tools, materials testing, and conversion of scanned devices with focused research on techniques using Pro/Surface and Reverse Engineering tools to create Finite Element Models for state of the art custom foot orthotics.
Department of Exercise Science at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
Research assistant in the Biomechanics Lab working for Dr. Joseph Hamill – Sept. 2004 to May 2005
Used EMG signals, force platforms and motion analysis cameras to collect data to study the muscle activation strategies at the knee during cutting movements while running.
Honors:
2007 GEM Fellow of the Year, Full scholarship Division I athlete – 1995–2000 (Women's swimming),
Eng. Alumni Assoc. leadership scholarship – 2000
