Recommended Activities
We expect a successful METRIC scholar to participate in many of the following extracurricular and co-curricular activities to increase their success as a STEM scholar and a leader in the communities.
- Check out the METRIC Endorsed Research and Internship Opportunities (requires SSO login). This document is updated throughout the year.
- Attend tutoring regularly to deepen and practice acquired knowledge. The following tutoring centers are STEM-specific.
- HSCI-162: Jensen SAS Center
- HSCI-222: Physics Learning Assistants
- LA5-345: Lindgren Mathematics Center
- Attend departmental colloquia and research symposium/seminars to acquire knowledge outside of the classrooms
- Actively participate and/or take on leadership positions in campus student organizations to make connections with peers, faculty, and future employers as well as improve one's leadership skills. You can find any student club on campus via the BeachSync chiclet on your Single-Sign-On.
- Initiate monthly check-ins with faculty mentors to receive timely information at the critical transition of your academic career. Email them to schedule a formal meeting or stop by their office during their student/office hours
- Organize study groups and meet-ups with other METRIC scholars to build a community that supports you during your journey at CSULB and beyond
- Attend professional development workshops such as those offered by the Career Development Center (CDC) and the Graduate Studies Resource Center (GSRC) to acquire transferable skills for the workforce and/or research careers
- Explore research opportunities to put your skills into products. There are generally two ways you can be involved in research in college - work with a professor on campus or participate in summer research experiences for the undergraduates (REU).
- The best way to get involved with research on campus is by talking to various professors about what they do and whether they have funding to support you in their research. Do this as early as possible.
- If you don't know where to start, check out the University Research Opportunity Program (UROP) on campus. They will help you get started.
- For REUs, PathwaysToScience.org has a searchable database of 650+ summer research programs in all STEM disciplines. These are all fully-funded opportunities including programs sponsored by NSF, NASA, NIH, etc. Alternatively, your professors might have additional information about what REUs are available. Talk to your faculty mentor about how to get started and what documents you need to prepare.
- Check out LinkedIn for Students for more information about how to set up your LinkedIn profile and how to utilize this powerful networking and job search tool. Don't forget to join the METRIC LinkedIn group and the NSF S-STEM Scholarship at CSULB LinkedIn group to stay connected with your peers and faculty mentors.
Campus Resources for First-Time Freshmen and Transfer Students
College is a place for exploration, you don't need to have everything figured out right away. The following list gives you some ideas for what first-year classes you can take to help you explore college and learn about yourself.
- UNIV 101 - Freshman Seminar for Undeclared Students
- UNIV 111 - Paideia First-Year Seminar
- UNIV 150 - Research Career Exploration
- NSCI 190A - Experience Success Program - 1
- University Honors Program (Library, Room 507)
