McNair – “It is designed to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. McNair participants are either first-generation college students with financial need, or members of a group that is traditionally underrepresented in graduate education and have demonstrated strong academic potential. The goal of the McNair Scholars Program is to increase graduate degree awards for students from underrepresented segments of society.”
The McNair scholars program has been personally beneficial for me. I want to highlight personal benefits over two post. With there being McNair program opportunities at over 150 institutions nationwide, I would propose anyone look into the program for yourself if you are interested in research, graduate school, in-depth learning, and personal growth.
Though I have developed many skills and got a chance to experience many different things, I will highlight two positive experiences from this opportunity of research!
Why? – I was asked this question so many times during my time as a scholar. Why do you feel this way? Why do you want to pursue this form of analysis? Why do you think this will cause change? Why? – While at first frustrating, it forced me to begin thinking deeper about my surroundings. Why DID I want to pursue that career? WHAT were my priorities in life and how could I best attain my goals? Though I always thought critically about issues and understood there was more to the issues around me, the McNair program pushed me to continue asking the hard questions while also finding answers to those hard questions. I take these thoughts with me into every situation and am able to apply it to the systems around me. I enjoy using my tools for deeper learning and understanding today and always.