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How Important is On To the Future, Really?

On To the Future (OTF) student Mariana Yolotzin Alcántara-Torres shares her expectations going
into the GSA 2019 Annual Meeting and her on-site experience of OTF, her mentor, and the meeting.

QUESTIONS LEADING UP TO GSA 2019 MEETING IMPRESSIONS

What are your expectations for GSA 2019 and OTF? Did OTF meet your expectations?
I have never participated in a geology meeting. I chose the GSA Yes, it did; OTF was more than I expected. It was a new and pleas-
Annual Meeting as my first because it is one of the most impor- ant experience.
tant geological meetings around the world.
What aspect of your OTF experience had the greatest impact?
What do you want to get out of the program? It was the early career workshop about how to apply for jobs and
My expectations are to receive recommendations, advice, and grad school. It was very important to meet other students with the
knowledge from expert geoscientists in order to support me as I same interests and in similar situations because we received feed-
start my career in geology. I would also like feedback on my back that will help in my future applications.
research project so that I can improve my future research methods.
What do you remember most from the annual meeting?
What are you most looking forward to? I spoke with a presenter from Alabama University whose presen-
I hope to meet established geologists and learn from them. I tation was similar to research I am interested in. We had a good
believe that I will enjoy my time with the OTF team as I share conversation about my research. He gave me his email and recom-
their values, and it is an excellent opportunity for me to network mended I write to him and keep in touch for tips on my research
with the international geoscience community for the first time. and future grad school interests.
What would you like your mentor to help with during the What was your mentorship experience like?
meeting? My experience was fruitful because my mentor helped me net-
I would like my mentor to share her experience and knowledge work with people and gave me a lot of advice about my poster
working as a geologist. I’d also like to learn how I can be most presentation because I was very nervous (it was my first time
effective in networking and in deciding on the best sessions, work- presenting my research work in another language). She also intro-
shops, and poster presentations to attend according to my interests duced me to some of her contacts.
within the field of geology.
How do you see OTF influencing or impacting your future?
I made many connections with students and professors who are
working in the research I am interested in. I learned about many
grad programs where I can apply in the future and even jobs that
I am interested in. In my poster presentation, I received good feed-
back. I also received instructions on how to make a good résumé
and application letter.

Read more interviews on the Foundation blog at https://gsa-
foundation.org/news-events/. Make a gift to help more students
like Mariana at https://gsa-foundation.org/fund/on-to-the-
future-fund/.

Mariana Yolotzin Alcántara-Torres, a student at the National
University of Mexico, is finishing her thesis for her undergrad-
uate degree and will then start graduate school.
www.gsa-foundation.org