Clau González
Doctoral Student
University of Washington
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
I was born and raised in México, then my family moved to the US unexpectedly when I was 15.
I had to teach myself English and learn a new culture.
I was the first one in my family to go to - and graduate college. I worked three jobs to pay for it.
I earned an MBA while working a full-time job.
I got a fellowship at the National Institutes of Health and worked for three years.
Then it was time to learn more. I went back to school to earn a Doctoral degree.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Winston Churchill High School
Winston Churchill High School
Career
Doctoral Student
I ask questions to understand how organizations work.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Business
Science
Problem Solving
Day to Day
A mentor once told me "I know what I think when I read what I write." I spend most of my mornings writing about my questions and their answers. After writing, I meet with my mentors and peers to improve my ideas. I love having discussions that help me better understand the things that have been studied before so I can focus on studying the things that have not. I also take time to meet with my former students and mentees to help them in their journeys.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for college students
If you like to ask "why" certain things happen and then find out, talk to your professors. Ask them about how they spend their time and about research. Volunteer to help them with their projects to really understand how academia works. If possible, ask them to help you learn to create your own project. Look for organizations in your school that support Undergraduate research. For example, I was a McNair Scholar and it was instrumental in helping me learn about research.
Recommended Education
My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Teachers:
"You are never going to make it to college with those test scores."
Challenges I Overcame
Financial
First-Generation Immigrant
Learning Issues
