I had long cherished the idea of entrepreneurship as a salvation; the thing I was meant to do that would lift me above the discontents of normal life. After industry internships, I longed for the flexibility and autonomy that being my own boss enabled. This past summer, I worked as a Technology Transfer Entrepreneur for … Continue reading D169: Entrepreneurship Will NOT Be My Financial Salvation
D162: Why “Good” is Never Good Enough for a Black Woman.
As a black woman born to poor immigrants, I don’t have the luxury of relying on “good enough,” I know my work is often inspected more critically. Marginalized identities cannot settle for “good enough” because the sad truth is—we’re taught to aim low. Thus, I’ve committed to proofreading and attending every office hour to overcome … Continue reading D162: Why “Good” is Never Good Enough for a Black Woman.
D155: Confronting the Awkward Truth – What Exactly is a PhD? And What Am I Getting Myself Into?
Stanford is a place of privilege. Quite the privilege at that. I am still learning how to navigate the breadth of resources, wealth, and influence, that I am surrounded by every day. I am still figuring out how to explain to my parents the people that I'm meeting and the opportunities that I now have--the … Continue reading D155: Confronting the Awkward Truth – What Exactly is a PhD? And What Am I Getting Myself Into?
D115: Your Whole Life is the Sum of Your Relationships
Your entire life is the sum of your relationships. Think about it. I didn't realize how monumental relationships truly were. I knew that I loved my family and that was the most important relationship that I had up until this point. I never considered that my life can be wholly represented by the relationships I … Continue reading D115: Your Whole Life is the Sum of Your Relationships
D102: Tough Decisions
Happy 2016! 'Tis the season for putting one's best foot forward and starting anew. I successfully completed my first quarter at Stanford and am gearing up for the excitement that this time of year brings. Right now, most people are riddled with new goals, for GPA, weight, personal growth, and development. I have spent the … Continue reading D102: Tough Decisions
D72: “Stanfording” While Black. Why Black Lives Matter Here Too.
I wouldn't feel like a responsible African American blogger unless I also took the time to address much of the hysteria sweeping college campuses. In light of recent situations, protests, rallies, and demonstrations have been orchestrated by colleges across the country in support of campus reforms. With each passing day, I find myself more disturbed … Continue reading D72: “Stanfording” While Black. Why Black Lives Matter Here Too.
D55: START With the END in Mind
June 12th, 2020: "Abisola Kusimo is hooded by Professor (Blank Blank) in receipt of the Doctoral Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University" (crowd cheers on senselessly) THIS is where your graduate school thinking begins. Okay, maybe it was a tad bit too dramatic, but this is where my mind often wanders when the pressure builds … Continue reading D55: START With the END in Mind
D42: Why Fellowship Applications Should Be a 3-Credit Course
The weeks leading up to the 2015 NSF GRFP deadline were consumed by editing personal statements with a writing tutor, drafting research proposals with my advisors, and tracking down recommendation writers for the application. If this story resonates with you--if you even know what "NSF GRFP" stands for, then I'm sure you were in a … Continue reading D42: Why Fellowship Applications Should Be a 3-Credit Course
D32: Major F.O.M.O.
I can hear it every evening from my second floor window. It's out in the sun whenever I'm hunched over a computer cranking out a huge assignment. It's in every hallway while I'm grinding through linear algebra proofs in office hours. It's "FUN." And everyone else is having it. So you've probably experienced this before. That everyone … Continue reading D32: Major F.O.M.O.
D20: Stay HUNGRY (Not Foolish)!
Confession: I came into grad school with absolutely no funding...not a dime to my name...you could hear echoes in my bank account (if you were small enough to fit inside of it in the first place). Now, my story is not unique by any means. I had heard of all the fairytales about how STEM students … Continue reading D20: Stay HUNGRY (Not Foolish)!
Graduate School Chronicles 