Comments on: The nerd within http://loteriachicana.net/2006/12/22/the-nerd-within Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:22:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mad Old Mexican http://loteriachicana.net/2006/12/22/the-nerd-within/comment-page-1#comment-8216 Mad Old Mexican Tue, 26 Dec 2006 05:24:08 +0000 http://loteriachicana.net/2006/12/22/the-nerd-within/#comment-8216 I am over 50 years old and have had an interest in science and electronics all my life. I still have an autobiography I wrote in sixth grade, and as a kid I already knew I wanted to be an electronics engineer. Most engineers my age had a natural curiosity about science and how mechanical "things" work. Some younger engineers are in the field because someone else told them they can make a decent living. You cannot force a person or group of persons into a field and expect them to succeed if they do not have an interest in the subject. As to why more Latinos don't graduate or go to college just go visit any Los Angeles High School the answer is obvious. You do not need a PHD in education or a research study to see that most of these students are not going to college, Much less even graduate from college. You know the old saying a pendejo don't fall far from the pendejo arbol. I tutor students from Belmont School who are brought up around gangs and that is all they know. I spend as much time erasing “XV3” graffiti from desks and tables as I do tutoring these kids. I will give three reasons for latino student failure, No more research needed. 1) Gangs 2) Bad Parents, lack of role models/mentors 3) No after school programs (YMCA, Boys Clubs, Sports etc) You are article reminds of an episode of “The Wire” in which a couple of researchers are conducting special classes in a junior high and have some success with their “problem” students . When they go ask for more funding to teach additional classes they are denied. One on the researches is telling the other “at least we can go present our results to another study group in Washington D.C.”. In the next scene the researcher has a nice power point presentation for a bunch of college professors. It would be funny if it were not so true. I am over 50 years old and have had an interest in science and electronics all my life. I still have an autobiography I wrote in sixth grade, and as a kid I already knew I wanted to be an electronics engineer. Most engineers my age had a natural curiosity about science and how mechanical “things” work. Some younger engineers are in the field because someone else told them they can make a decent living. You cannot force a person or group of persons into a field and expect them to succeed if they do not have an interest in the subject.

As to why more Latinos don’t graduate or go to college just go visit any Los Angeles High School the answer is obvious. You do not need a PHD in education or a research study to see that most of these students are not going to college, Much less even graduate from college.

You know the old saying a pendejo don’t fall far from the pendejo arbol. I tutor students from Belmont School who are brought up around gangs and that is all they know. I spend as much time erasing “XV3” graffiti from desks and tables as I do tutoring these kids. I will give three reasons for latino student failure, No more research needed.

1) Gangs
2) Bad Parents, lack of role models/mentors
3) No after school programs (YMCA, Boys Clubs, Sports etc)

You are article reminds of an episode of “The Wire” in which a couple of researchers are conducting special classes in a junior high and have some success with their “problem” students . When they go ask for more funding to teach additional classes they are denied. One on the researches is telling the other “at least we can go present our results to another study group in Washington D.C.”. In the next scene the researcher has a nice power point presentation for a bunch of college professors. It would be funny if it were not so true.

]]> By: isa http://loteriachicana.net/2006/12/22/the-nerd-within/comment-page-1#comment-8201 isa Mon, 25 Dec 2006 22:29:54 +0000 http://loteriachicana.net/2006/12/22/the-nerd-within/#comment-8201 I had friends who used to joke that SNEE classes were too early and that, alone, was reason to switch to the humanities! I switched from biochem to sociology/history too. But really, I think the important thing is to remember why you decided to do the PhD in the first place. I question it all the time too, but I'm hoping it will be less often as I get further in the program. Good to know I'm not in this alone! Keep on keepin' on, mujer! And thanks for such a great blog! I had friends who used to joke that SNEE classes were too early and that, alone, was reason to switch to the humanities! I switched from biochem to sociology/history too. But really, I think the important thing is to remember why you decided to do the PhD in the first place. I question it all the time too, but I’m hoping it will be less often as I get further in the program. Good to know I’m not in this alone! Keep on keepin’ on, mujer! And thanks for such a great blog!

]]> By: oso http://loteriachicana.net/2006/12/22/the-nerd-within/comment-page-1#comment-8140 oso Sun, 24 Dec 2006 07:21:18 +0000 http://loteriachicana.net/2006/12/22/the-nerd-within/#comment-8140 SPSS used to give me nightmares (literally ... or, at least really strange dreams). Other than that, ditto what everyone else says, it is important research and you're my hero. SPSS used to give me nightmares (literally … or, at least really strange dreams). Other than that, ditto what everyone else says, it is important research and you’re my hero.

]]> By: Geo http://loteriachicana.net/2006/12/22/the-nerd-within/comment-page-1#comment-8137 Geo Sun, 24 Dec 2006 04:44:01 +0000 http://loteriachicana.net/2006/12/22/the-nerd-within/#comment-8137 Ditto on the glad you've stuck w/ it. Plus, it's cool for other nerds, like me, because you share things I may not get to read otherwise. Ditto on the glad you’ve stuck w/ it. Plus, it’s cool for other nerds, like me, because you share things I may not get to read otherwise.

]]> By: irasali http://loteriachicana.net/2006/12/22/the-nerd-within/comment-page-1#comment-8125 irasali Sat, 23 Dec 2006 22:01:21 +0000 http://loteriachicana.net/2006/12/22/the-nerd-within/#comment-8125 cindylu, we need more latinas with higher education degrees period. the research sounds interesting and hopefully your findings will help pave the way for more latinas in higher education. cindylu, we need more latinas with higher education degrees period. the research sounds interesting and hopefully your findings will help pave the way for more latinas in higher education.

]]> By: Sheryl http://loteriachicana.net/2006/12/22/the-nerd-within/comment-page-1#comment-8112 Sheryl Sat, 23 Dec 2006 16:29:42 +0000 http://loteriachicana.net/2006/12/22/the-nerd-within/#comment-8112 I find this information interesting. In the early eighties, I switched my major from science to english literature. Largely this was due to insecurity and a lack of confidence in math, yet I recently taught math! Despite having a PhD, I still experience doubt and uncertainty when I should not. It is a constant battle and I do think Latinas need such community organizations and support systems to increase not only confidence but awareness. Great blog! I find this information interesting. In the early eighties, I switched my major from science to english literature. Largely this was due to insecurity and a lack of confidence in math, yet I recently taught math! Despite having a PhD, I still experience doubt and uncertainty when I should not. It is a constant battle and I do think Latinas need such community organizations and support systems to increase not only confidence but awareness. Great blog!

]]> By: Letty http://loteriachicana.net/2006/12/22/the-nerd-within/comment-page-1#comment-8108 Letty Sat, 23 Dec 2006 14:52:40 +0000 http://loteriachicana.net/2006/12/22/the-nerd-within/#comment-8108 i've been reading anonymously for some time. as a latina engineer moving into student affairs, i was moved to respond. we need more people like you doing this type of research. if you haven't already, make sure you talk to ucla's CEED office. i am a product of that program and it is major reason for the retention of latinos in stem fields at ucla. good luck and i can't wait to hear more about your research! i’ve been reading anonymously for some time. as a latina engineer moving into student affairs, i was moved to respond. we need more people like you doing this type of research. if you haven’t already, make sure you talk to ucla’s CEED office. i am a product of that program and it is major reason for the retention of latinos in stem fields at ucla. good luck and i can’t wait to hear more about your research!

]]> By: fabian http://loteriachicana.net/2006/12/22/the-nerd-within/comment-page-1#comment-8104 fabian Sat, 23 Dec 2006 13:50:09 +0000 http://loteriachicana.net/2006/12/22/the-nerd-within/#comment-8104 I am glad that you decided to continue witht the program. Its tough, but if there is anyone that I know can get through it, it is you. As I work on finishing two papers with my self-imposed extensions, and starting to write two days before they are due, I have wondered about what the heck I got myself into. But I can't go back anymore, not when I am halfway and have gone through hell. :o) Thanks for posting the mags in pdf, they are hilarious. NO I am glad that you decided to continue witht the program. Its tough, but if there is anyone that I know can get through it, it is you. As I work on finishing two papers with my self-imposed extensions, and starting to write two days before they are due, I have wondered about what the heck I got myself into. But I can’t go back anymore, not when I am halfway and have gone through hell. :o ) Thanks for posting the mags in pdf, they are hilarious. NO

]]> By: HispanicPundit http://loteriachicana.net/2006/12/22/the-nerd-within/comment-page-1#comment-8073 HispanicPundit Sat, 23 Dec 2006 04:07:53 +0000 http://loteriachicana.net/2006/12/22/the-nerd-within/#comment-8073 <i>I decided on doing my 299 research project on Latina science, mathematics and engineering undergraduate students. I wanted to know why some students stayed in the SME fields while others switched major.</i> Oh, I know why: because the SME fields are <i>fucken hard</i>! There has been many an occasion where I wish I would have taken Chicano Studies instead of engineering. ;-) En serio though, I'm glad you have come to terms with your decision. Having people like you at the top is sure to increase the ranks of raza engineers, and god knows we certainly need more of em! I decided on doing my 299 research project on Latina science, mathematics and engineering undergraduate students. I wanted to know why some students stayed in the SME fields while others switched major.

Oh, I know why: because the SME fields are fucken hard! There has been many an occasion where I wish I would have taken Chicano Studies instead of engineering. ;-)

En serio though, I’m glad you have come to terms with your decision. Having people like you at the top is sure to increase the ranks of raza engineers, and god knows we certainly need more of em!

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