'P' Stands for People: How to Inspire a Physicist Before, During, and After the Degree

Students, at all levels, are integral to the pursuit of science. Graduate students are at the pivotal intersection between completing degrees in higher education and becoming early-career scientists. While there are many ways that faculty can serve graduate students in terms of mentorship and professional development, it often goes unnoticed how graduate students can serve others as well. Not only do graduate students relate to the struggles of academia, but they are positioned within proximity to new tools that can aid them in addressing challenges in and out of the lab or classroom. This talk will explore ways Danielle has endeavored to support current and future physicists at the local, departmental, and professional levels. We will explore outreach initiatives bringing science kits to rural West Virginia schools, and highlight departmental advocacy projects from the Physics and Astronomy Graduate Student Organization at West Virginia University. We will also discuss leadership opportunities within APS that students can participate in, like the Student Ambassador program. Lastly, this talk will encourage students to find ways to make meaningful efforts to inspire the next generation of scientists. Physicists are people, and it is important to cultivate relationships and connections that current and future scientists will want to be a part of.