In this episode I welcome back Desnor Chigumba, a PhD Student in Chemical Biology at the University of Michigan. Desnor is a major voice in science communication (SciComm) with a particular focus on drug discovery, public health, chemical biology, and women in STEM. We talk about mental health in academia, the things that can lead to low moments and the things that we do to stay well, mentally.

Desnor's information:
Twitter:@DesnorC
Instagram: @desnornicole

BUY SYGS MERCH: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/so-you-got-a-scholarship?ref_id=7451

To follow the show: @tedoexmedia (Twitter and Instagram)
To follow the host: @tedoex (Instagram), @rutendochabikwa(Twitter)
Our Patreon Page: www.patreon.com/sygspod
Email address: sygspodcast@gmail.com

So you have finally received the acceptances and the rejections from programs and they come with different terms, conditions, perks etc. The question is: what do you need to consider when trying to make a decision? In this episode I cover the three areas you need to focus on when choosing the best program for you: Your Money, Your Career, and Your life.

Mentioned in this episode:
Appearance on Personal Finance for PhDs: http://pfforphds.com/how-to-financially-transition-to-grad-school-as-an-underprivileged-student/
SYGS episode with Dr. Emily Roberts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-01-on-personal-finance-w-dr-emily-roberts-phd/id1400085315?i=1000521403374 ((Also found anywhere you get your Podcasts)

Extra links:
Dr. Emily Roberts' Website: http://pfforphds.com/
The PfForPhDs Podcast: http://pfforphds.com/podcast/ (Also found anywhere you get your Podcasts)
Dr. Emily Roberts' Twitter: https://twitter.com/PFforPhDs

BUY SYGS MERCH: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/so-you-got-a-scholarship?ref_id=7451

To follow the show: @tedoexmedia (Twitter and Instagram)
To follow the host: @tedoex (Instagram), @rutendochabikwa(Twitter)
Our Patreon Page: www.patreon.com/sygspod
Email address: sygspodcast@gmail.com

So you are sure you want to apply to grad school, but what is the most efficient way to go about searching for your desired grad program, for keeping track of your applications, how do you find funding etc. This is what I will attempt to cover in this episode. I will begin by covering how to look for programmes to apply to, pre-application contact, and we will finish with putting your materials together. At each stage I will give tips on how to make each stage easier and useful.

Free Notion Template to track your Applications: https://tedoex.notion.site/Graduate-School-Applications-Tracker-8e87ffa37e814cc195b4d7298ccf48a6

BUY SYGS MERCH: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/so-you-got-a-scholarship?ref_id=7451

To follow the show: @tedoexmedia (Twitter and Instagram)
To follow the host: @tedoex (Instagram), @rutendochabikwa(Twitter)
Our Patreon Page: www.patreon.com/sygspod
Email address: sygspodcast@gmail.com

This episode is the first of a 3 part series on preparing for grad school, both Masters Level and PhD Level. In this episode I cover some good reasons to apply for grad school and some not so adequate reasons. This episode is especially useful for any one on the fence about furthering their education.

BUY SYGS MERCH: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/so-you-got-a-scholarship?ref_id=7451

To follow the show: @tedoexmedia (Twitter and Instagram)
To follow the host: @tedoex (Instagram), @rutendochabikwa(Twitter)
Our Patreon Page: www.patreon.com/sygspod
Email address: sygspodcast@gmail.com

In this episode I sit down with Victor Agboga. Victor is a PhD student and Graduate Teaching Assistant at the Department of Politics and International Studies (PAIS), University of Warwick. He has been awarded five international postgraduate scholarships for both masters and PhD in the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States. He also runs a YouTube channel where he shares scholarship tips and opportunities. In the last 8 months, he has supported over 80 candidates to win fully-funded postgraduate scholarships in every continent in the world.

We talk about scholarships -the dos and don’t’s of scholarship applications, why it is even a thing for some people to consider, and the importance of authentic in the process.

Mentioned in the Episode
Victor's You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbROEACPZuCVaAM_IzaAe1A

BUY SYGS MERCH: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/so-you-got-a-scholarship?ref_id=7451

To follow the show: @tedoexmedia (Twitter and Instagram)
To follow the host: @tedoex
Our Patreon Page: www.patreon.com/sygspod
Email address: sygspodcast@gmail.com

In this episode I speak to Dr. Laura Valadez-Martinez is a Lecturer in Social Policy at Loughborough University. Her research specialises in income adequacy, poverty measurement, and childhood poverty and wellbeing. Before that, she worked as a Research Associate at the Centre for Research in Social Policy of Loughborough University. She has also been an online tutor on childhood policies for the Inter-American Development Bank and a researcher for an international project on poverty funded by the European Union. Laura holds a PhD in Social Policy from Oxford University, where she also served as a tutor for undergraduate students. She is originally from Mexico.

In this episode we speak about the work you have to do to maintain a scholarship, how to do PhD, the importance of building a community, how a PhD differs from other levels of education, dealing with imposter syndrome, is motivation necessary, how to address moments of low motivation, and so much more.

Mentioned in the episide:
Dr. Laura's TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAKsQf77nHU
Dr. Laura on Twitter: @lauravaladezmtz (https://twitter.com/lauravaladezmtz)
Dr. Laura's Contact Page: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/subjects/social-policy-studies/staff/laura-valadez-martinez/

About the show:
BUY SYGS MERCH: www.tedoexmediahouse.com/store

To follow the show: @SYGSpod (Twitter and Instagram)
To follow the host: @tedoex
Our Patreon Page: www.patreon.com/sygspod
Email address: sygspodcast@gmail.com

In this episode I speak with Dr. Emily Roberts who is a personal finance educator specializing in early-career PhDs. Through her business, Personal Finance for PhDs, she equips graduate students, postdocs, and PhDs with Real Jobs to make the most of their money. She gives seminars at universities and for associations, interviews PhDs on her podcast, serves as a money coach, and creates courses and workshops on taxes, investing, and more. Emily holds a PhD in biomedical engineering from Duke University and lives in Orange County, CA with her husband and two children.

Things mentioned in the episode
Dr. Emily Roberts' Website: http://pfforphds.com/
The PfForPhDs Podcast: http://pfforphds.com/podcast/ (Also found anywhere you get your Podcasts)
Dr. Emily Roberts' Twitter: https://twitter.com/PFforPhDs
Brown Ambition Podcast: https://brownambitionpodcast.com/

BUY SYGS MERCH: https://www.tedoexmediahouse.com/store
 
To follow the show: @TedoexMediaHouse (Twitter and Instagram)
To follow the host: @rutendochabikwa (Twitter) and @tedoex (Instagram)
Our Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tedoexmediahouse?fan_landing=true
Email address: sygspodcast@gmail.com

Music: Out Here by Young Kurtz from Free Music Archive: Creative commons License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

SYGS is back for a 3rd Season! Thank you everyone for being patient and for continuing to listen to past episodes.

BUY SYGS MERCH: https://www.tedoexmediahouse.com/store
 
To follow the show: @TedoexMediaHouse (Twitter and Instagram)
To follow the host: @rutendochabikwa (Twitter) and @tedoex (Instagram)
Our Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tedoexmediahouse?fan_landing=true
Email address: sygspodcast@gmail.com

Music: Young and Reckless by Young Kurtz from Free Music Archive: Creative commons License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This episode features Luīz Anna Eihmane (Lulu), who is pursuing her PhD in Political Science at Johns Hopkins. In this episode we discuss how institutions create curiosity and interest in students, the state of academic during COVID, how to survive academia during COVID, and we finish off with some tips for anyone considering applying for a PhD.
 
Mentioned in this episode:
 
Lulu’s You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwEqQ4BV5TqwKhZsNuITFEA
 
Lulu’s Instagram: @lulu_anna
 
BUY SYGS MERCH: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/so-you-got-a-scholarship?ref_id=7451
 
To follow the show: @SYGSpod (Twitter and Instagram)
To follow the host: @tedoex
Our Patreon Page: www.patreon.com/sygspod
Email address: sygspodcast@gmail.com
 

Welcome to the second half of season 2! This episode features Ndirangu Warugongo Jr, a Cornell Institute for Public Affairs Fellow, Associate Editor for the Cornell Policy Review and; in his own words; a capturer of moments. In this episode we consider the complexity of identity in predominantly white institutions, how to deal with imposter syndrome; and how to navigate the human aspects of academic institutions. We discuss how institutions are "as human as much as they are not", and why it is important to create relationships with different individuals in an institution. Ndirangu shares some insight in how he applied for his master’s programme, how to take the GREs, as well as lessons he learned in the year between his undergrad and his grad career.
Mentioned in this episode:
Ndirangu’s TEDx Talk: What is your name?
The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah 
 
Ndirangu’s Social Media:
Instagram: @ndiranguwarug
 
To follow the show: @SYGSpod (Twitter and Instagram)
To follow the host: @tedoex
Our Patreon Page: www.patreon.com/sygspod
Email address: sygspodcast@gmail.com

Michelle Duran is a justice oriented individual, who is constantly searching to be more inclusive and conscious of the different ways that people are marginalised in society. Her purpose is to empower marginalised people from the ground up. She graduated from St. Lawrence University with a major in Global Studies and a double minor in Gender and Sexuality studies and Caribbean and Latin American Studies. Currently she is a teacher in training at Ember Charter School for Mindful Education, Innovation and Transformation. In this episode Michelle shares her experience as a First Generation Immigrant and Graduate, the access barriers to resources even before getting to college, and how to survive higher education by finding a supportive community.
Mentioned in this episode:
The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl by Issa Rae
 
Michelle Duran
Twitter: @JusticeOrElse_
 
To follow the show: @SYGSpod (Twitter and Instagram)
To follow the host: @tedoex
Our Patreon Page: www.patreon.com/sygspod
Email address: sygspodcast@gmail.com

Max is an avid reader, a writer, and a historian. He sat down with me to share his experiences as a person with a disability in education. In this conversation we also explore the intersectionality of subordinated identities, and Max offers a suggestion on how we can, not only make classrooms more accessible, but also how we can create a more empathic environment for learners. The podcast version of this interview is short, the extended video version will be on Patreon.
Mentioned in this episode:
Born a Crime 
To follow the show: @SYGSpod (Twitter and Instagram)
To follow the host: @tedoex
Our Patreon Page: www.patreon.com/sygspod
Email address: sygspodcast@gmail.com
 

This is an interview with Desnor Chigumba, a Zimbabwean PhD Student in Chemical Biology at the University of Michigan. Desnor is a major voice in science communication (SciComm) with a particular focus on drug discovery, public health, chemical biology, and women in STEM. She offers information and tips on applying for a PhD in the United States (USA); the hurdles that some international students face during the application process and how to overcome them; the effects of lack representation in STEM education on the industry, and why we should decolonise RnD.
Mentioned in this episode:
 
Bottle of Lies (Buy on Amazon)
Open Source Drug Discovery (Website)
 
Desnor Chigumba
Twitter:@DesnorC
Instagram: @desnornicole
Blog coming soon:http://www.desnornicole.com/
 
To follow the show: @SYGSpod (Twitter and Instagram)
To follow the host: @tedoex
Our Patreon Page: www.patreon.com/sygspod
Email address: sygspodcast@gmail.com

This is a unique episode in which we focus on education in Zimbabwe. We speak to Leroy Dzenga, a Zimbabwean journalist, writer, and content creator. He is also the founder and brains behind  Imfundo, an online platform offering news, analytical essays and opportunities in all things African education. We speak about the colonial legacy of the education system in, the need to create scholarship that is in line with the socio-political issues that people face in their daily lives, why the literacy rate does not effectively assess the successes and failures of an education system, and so much more.
Mentioned in this episode:
The World Summit AI (WSAI): https://worldsummit.ai/ - Opportunity for young girls and women working in tech or interested in tech to attend the summit for FREE. Enter the code #FEMALEFOUNDERS at check out. Applicable on all tickets except for VIP tickets.
The Zimbabwe National Critical Skills Assessment 2018: https://safrap.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/2018-zimbabwe-national-critical-skills-audit-report.pdf
Energy Mutodi Tweet om inflation: https://twitter.com/energymutodi/status/1165934650000322560 
 
Imfundo:
www.imfundo.co.zw
Twitter: @imfundozim
Facebook: Imfundo Zimbabwe
 
Leroy Dzenga:
Twitter: @leedzenga
Facebook: Leroy Tafadzwa Dzenga
Instagram: @leroydzenga
 
To follow the show: @SYGSpod (Twitter and Instagram)
To follow the host: @tedoex
Our Patreon Page: www.patreon.com/sygspod
Email address: sygspodcast@gmail.com

We are excited to bring you the first episode of the second season. Farai Munjoma is the CEO and Founder of Shasha Network a digital learning platform with a on a mission to provide affordable and innovative high impact education solutions to African communities. Farai talks about the lasting impacts of colonialism in the Zimbabwean education system and the potential for technology to provide access to education and information. Farai is a phenomenal guest and this episode is full of ideas and will get you thinking.
Mentioned in this episode:
Shasha Network:
www.shashanetwork.com 
Facebook Shasha Network 
Instagram @shasha_network 
LinkedIn Shasha Network 
Twitter @shasha_network
 
Farai Munjoma :
Facebook - Farai Munjoma 
Instagram - @farai_munjoma 
LinkedIn - Farai Munjoma 
Twitter - @FaraiMunjoma 
 
To follow the show: @SYGSpod (Twitter and Instagram)
To follow the host: @tedoex
Our Patreon Page: www.patreon.com/sygspod
Email address: sygspodcast@gmail.com

Thank you to everyone who stuck with us through season 1 and to everyone who was patient with us as we were building season 2. We are back for another season in which we will expand our topics and issues covered to go into issues outside so-called western nations and look at ideas that may affect educational policy and the future of education in different places. 
ANNOUNCEMENT: We now are on Pateron and if you feel like the work we do is something you want to support please head on over to our Pateron page. www.pateron.com/sygspod and become a patron for as little as a dollar a month. We sincerely believe in what we do. If you like what we do and think that it is important, please support us so that we can continue to create this content.
Get excited! 
Twitter and Instagram: @sygspod
Email: sygspodcast@gmail.com
Patreon: www.patreon.com/sygspod

Tanjona "TJ", takes over the entire show and tells his experiences in academia as an African gay man. He finishes off the episode by sharing some resources and suggestions to anyone who may be naviagting academic spaces and facing similar situations.Tanjona was in charge of of the whole episode from choosing what to talk about, the title, the length of the episode etc. 
Things mentioned in this episode:
Out for Undergrad: O4U Organisation
Jopwell: Diversity Hiring Startup
Tanjona's Intsagram: @tanjonyaina 
 
 
To follow the show: @SYGSpod (Twitter and Instagram)
To follow the host: @tedoex
 
Music: Out Here by Young Kurtz from Free Music Archive: Creative commons License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This time of the year is the beginning of the term or the semester in many universities and colleges around the world. Many are going back while lots more are going for the first time. 
I asked a few people to help me talk about the one thing they wish they had known before going to university or college. These messages are not just for those going for the first time, but they are also a reminder to those who will continue to navigate academic spaces.
 
People in this episode:
Anesu Gamanya
Farah Al Haddad
Shanice Arlow
Eva Tabbasam
Tanjona Rakotoarisoa 
 
To follow the show: @SYGSpod (Twitter and Instagram)
To follow the host: @tedoex
 
Support the show through our merch store: https://www.teepublic.co.uk/stores/so-you-got-a-scholarship?ref_id=7451 
Music: Out Here by Young Kurtz from Free Music Archive: Creative commons License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Eva Tabbasam just completed her masters at the the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). We talk about the  box ticking phenomenon in applying for scholarships, i.e. the pressure to have to pick apart and lay bare certain aspects of one’s life in order to get opportunities. We also consider how issues such as class can affects one’s experience of higher education.
 
Things mentioned in this episode:
 
Book recommendation: Back to Black: Retelling Black Radicalism for the Twenty-First Century by Kehinde Andrews 
 
To follow the show: @SYGSpod (Twitter and Instagram)
To follow the host: @tedoex
 
Music: Out Here by Young Kurtz from Free Music Archive: Creative commons License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Daniel is a member of staff at the the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Daniel’s story has been covered widely by various publications. We talk about his experiences, what his general day looks like, and we also talk about the outsourcing. I also talk to Emily Wolff, a masters student from the LSE who was one of the many students that were part of the Justice for Daniel campaign. With her we discuss the importance of students being involved with the issues at their institutions.
Things about this episode:
LSE Student Newspaper's coverage of the Justice for Daniel Campain: The Beaver Online also Here
Inquiry by Notes from Below
 
To follow the show: @SYGSpod (Twitter and Instagram) 
To follow the host: @tedoex
Music: Out Here by Young Kurtz from Free Music Archive: Creative commons License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/