What does Educate the SWAG even mean?
SWAG is short for SWAGGER.
Swagger
/ˈswaɡər/ noun
1. a very confident and typically arrogant or aggressive manner
2. to walk with an air of overbearing self-confidence
Contrary to much public perception, we believe that it is ok and should be encouraged for individuals to bring their own personal flair and swagger into the workplace. Additionally, we believe that if someone has the gall to walk into a professional space with that level of swagger and individuality, then that person better be ready to back it up with incredible skill and intellect. We LOVE leaders and trailblazers! We also recognize and accept that that path is not for everyone and that anyone is capable of having a positive impact on the world.
This is where we come in. At Educate the SWAG, our mission is elevate your natural swagger so that you can become your best self. We do that through providing insights into how the academic space works on different levels and through scientific analysis and commentary around seemingly common social phenomena.
Consider me as the Doctor that you would not otherwise have access to. I have done it and I am here to show you the way to do it too. Now who am I???
SWAG is short for SWAGGER.
Swagger
/ˈswaɡər/ noun
1. a very confident and typically arrogant or aggressive manner
2. to walk with an air of overbearing self-confidence
Contrary to much public perception, we believe that it is ok and should be encouraged for individuals to bring their own personal flair and swagger into the workplace. Additionally, we believe that if someone has the gall to walk into a professional space with that level of swagger and individuality, then that person better be ready to back it up with incredible skill and intellect. We LOVE leaders and trailblazers! We also recognize and accept that that path is not for everyone and that anyone is capable of having a positive impact on the world.
This is where we come in. At Educate the SWAG, our mission is elevate your natural swagger so that you can become your best self. We do that through providing insights into how the academic space works on different levels and through scientific analysis and commentary around seemingly common social phenomena.
Consider me as the Doctor that you would not otherwise have access to. I have done it and I am here to show you the way to do it too. Now who am I???
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Who am I?
I am Dr. Gabriel R. Burks, born and raised in North Louisiana, and I am an active ambassador for inquisitive thought and higher education attainment. My belief is that to make change, you must have a seat at the decision making table and sometimes that requires you to push yourself to the highest levels of education attainment. Leaving high school I did not know what I wanted to be or what career I wanted to pursue. I always knew that I enjoyed science so I chose to study Physics, the broadest science major available that would allow me the greatest decision flexibility long-term. If I wanted to go to medical school, I could do it with physics; if I wanted to go to graduate school, I could do it with physics as well; and if I want to be an entrepreneur or get a regular job, those institutions would respect a Physics degree too. |
In 2011, I obtained my Bachelor's of Science Degree in Physics from Grambling State University. Later that same year, I began working towards my doctoral degree in Materials Science & Engineering at Drexel University in Philadelphia (Quick misconception: the truth is that you do not have to have a masters degree to be accepted in or to pursue a doctoral degree).
At Drexel I studied polymer crystallization and polymorphism in Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) and completed my dissertation during the Spring of 2018. During my time at Drexel University, I was exposed to formal education and curriculum development through the National Science Foundation GK-12 Fellowship Program, which I was part of for 3 years teaching in the School District of Philadelphia.
At Drexel I studied polymer crystallization and polymorphism in Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) and completed my dissertation during the Spring of 2018. During my time at Drexel University, I was exposed to formal education and curriculum development through the National Science Foundation GK-12 Fellowship Program, which I was part of for 3 years teaching in the School District of Philadelphia.
How I was able to do that and still complete my PhD is still beyond me, but I made it and I did it for the culture..."
The greatest part of my time in Philadelphia was the great amount of quality individuals that I was able to meet and to develop relationships with. For at least a 2-3 year span, I was a significant figure in the Philadelphia social scene with exclusive access to parties and events throughout the city. How I was able to do that and still complete my PhD is still beyond me, but I made it and I did it for the culture so you can too!
After completing my doctorate, I accepted my first postgraduate position at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as a Postdoctoral Research Associate (postdoc) in the Department of Bioengineering. Postdoctoral research associate, just means that I have a doctoral degree and I do research with other doctors as a partner and not as their student. As a postdoc, I research and develop tools to revolutionize how we teach Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to students from Kindergarten to college.
After completing my doctorate, I accepted my first postgraduate position at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as a Postdoctoral Research Associate (postdoc) in the Department of Bioengineering. Postdoctoral research associate, just means that I have a doctoral degree and I do research with other doctors as a partner and not as their student. As a postdoc, I research and develop tools to revolutionize how we teach Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to students from Kindergarten to college.
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I am very happy doing what I am doing and I have enjoyed the privileges that education has given me access to thus far. A part of this blogging experience is to share my experiences with aspiring students and to provide a blueprint for them to attain the highest level of education possible. Another significant part of this blogging journey is my own professional development and defining my own professional identity.
That is a brief overview of my most recent experiences and throughout this blog I will share more details. If any of the topics that I touched on seem interesting to you personally, then let me know and I will work on those projects first. Again, welcome to the, "Educate the SWAG" blog and I hope you enjoy this experience with me. |
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