Argonne Workshop Shows Many Pathways Toward Success in Science

Shortly after Kawtar Hafidi started graduate school in France, her adviser asked her to read a thesis and report back on it one week later.

During the presentation, the adviser asked Hafidi a question to which she didn’t know the answer. She admitted she was flummoxed, and her adviser responded, “How come?”

Devastated, Hafidi went home and cried all night over disappointing the prestigious academic.

Some time later, Hafidi found herself in the adviser’s office explaining a result from her research. After two hours, he still didn’t understand.

Her reply: “How come?”

“You will be teaching your adviser, too,” said Hafidi, now a nuclear physicist at Argonne National Laboratory, to a room full of interns Monday during a workshop about graduate studies and careers in science.

Throughout the session, Hafidi and her fellow presenters emphasized the importance of self-confidence, finding good mentors and being true to one’s self when pursuing careers in research.

Hafidi developed the idea for the seminar only 10 days ago and initially planned it specifically for the female interns.

“I wanted to give them the elements of how to succeed and encourage them to follow careers in science,” said Hafidi, noting the high attrition rate of girls from science programs.

Argonne has offered several programs aimed to get young people, especially young girls, interested in science. Earlier this year, Argonne held a model fuel cell competition at Case New Holland in Burr Ridge.

Hafidi decided to open Monday's workshop to all of Argonne’s summer interns, young men and women alike.

“It’s a new beginning for all of them, and I want to inspire them to be in charge of their future, to work hard and stand up for themselves,” she said.

The adviser that initially brought Hafidi to tears soon became a trusted friend, going so far as to take her on vacation to Paris just so the hard-working student would take a break from her research.

Argonne postdoctoral appointee Jennifer Steeb, who finished grad school in 2010, echoed Hafidi’s advice that students need to take ownership of their research and career.

Steeb recalled getting frustrated that her adviser wasn’t around frequently to guide her research. One day she told him so.

“This ain’t my Ph.D.,” he told her. “I already got mine."

The presenters also addressed personal challenges and realities, such as balancing marriage and starting a family while pursuing a high-pressure career. Hafidi said the vast majority of female scientists end up marrying other scientists, while the opposite is true for men.

The overall message was one of empowerment, as the college-age interns learned to not only seize but seek out opportunities to advance their careers.

University of Michigan undergrad Kristen Kluk, who is spending the summer interning in Argonne’s Facilities Management and Engineering Division, said she appreciated hearing how many different pathways there are to success.

“Their paths weren’t straightforward but they still got where they want to be,” she said. “Those personal stories make it easier to understand.”