o International Experiences

o Research

o Internships

Gateway Program Viewbook

When I was an undergraduate majoring in political science, concerned family members frequently asked, “What are you going to do with that degree?” There was considerable head-scratching about why anyone would want to study politics. Unlike some degrees

like computer science, mechanical engineering, or nursing, which have obvious career paths, political science and other social sciences majors are more open-ended, even uncertain.

But, the fact that career paths are not al- ways apparent in the social sciences is

part of the fun.

Rice’s School of Social Sciences’ Gateway program provides students the ability to explore career paths and other opportunities they might find exciting before graduation. Imagine having an internship at the National

Bank of Belgium, working to improve housing conditions in Houston, conducting independent research with the help of one of Rice’s top professors, or interviewing community and business leaders in Istanbul. These are all possible through Gateway and these new experiences make answering the question “What are you going to do with that degree?” much more clear.

GREETINGSGREETINGS

“What are you going to do with

that degree?”

Lyn RagsdaleDeanSchool of Social Sciences

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There is an old saying that a smart person learns from experience, but a really smart person learns from other people’s experience. Rice’s School of Social Sciences’ Gateway program combines both. It is designed to provide opportunities for students to connect their studies with career aspirations through internships, research and ambassadorships. Along the way, the students meet alumni, faculty, scholars, leaders and peers by conducting interviews around the world and learning from other’s experiences, while reporting back and sharing their connections and accomplishments on the Gateway student news section and in Gateway reports. We encourage every student to explore the possibilities of putting their aspirations to work through Gateway.

CONTENTSINTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES: International Experiences 3

Global Urban Lab - London 5

Global Urban Lab - Istanbul 7

research:Gateway Study of Leadership 9

The Social Sciences Undergraduate Research Enterprise (SSURE) 11

internships:Summer Fellows 13

Gateway Internships 15

Contact Information 17

IntroductionWelcome to the world of Gateway opportunities! The Gateway program for undergraduates is designed to provide opportunities for students to connect their studies and career aspirations. The program priorities are:

o Creating platforms for students to put their classroom knowledge to work in real life through opportunities in international experiences, research, and internships.

o Providing practical training for students to become experts in making contacts, conducting interviews, building networks, publishing, developing programs and leading teams.

Gateway provides financial awards and/or credit for most programs.

i n t e r n a t i o n a li n t e r n a t i o n a l

One of the best ways to explore the world and enrich your vision is through getting to know people and hearing their experiences. The selected students receive a $1,500 stipend award, as well as guidance to make contacts, conduct interviews, prepare reflection reports and make presentations upon their return.

Alumni abroad serve as contacts to students to ease them into making connections in their host country, thus paving the way for today’s Gateway International Ambassadors: tomorrow’s community and world leaders.

InternationalAmbassadors

International Ambassadors: tomorrow’s community and world leaders.

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e x p e r i e n c e se x p e r i e n c e s

As the student who tends to raise her hand the most in her classes, and the hopeful journalist who asks questions way too often, this program was something of a dream come true for me. I was able to use a legitimate ex-cuse to interview some of the more interesting adults I have met studying abroad. It has been a fantastic addition to my experience abroad, and I am very grateful for the opportunity.

Meeting with the Rice alumna, Darcy Dement (’99), was well-timed with the beginning of the semester. Just as I got a little homesick, it was nice to reminisce with someone who knows what the Sallyport is. We were able to discuss the changes at Rice since her undergraduate years, and I enjoyed hearing her perspective. Her career story got me thinking about all the potential routes my own could take, especially the potential directions I cannot begin to plan for.

EMMA HurtPolicy Studies, HistorySummer Fellow - ’14 International Ambassador - ’14 Global Urban lab, Istanbul - ’13

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Global Urban Lab: London

The Global Urban Lab program aims to provide a platform for students to analyze a particular urban problem or issue and determine how today’s emerging global cities handle changing circumstances, as well as how they face challenges to enrich their cultural and international standing.

Global Urban Lab: London is a collaboration between Rice University’s School of Social Sciences and CAPA International Education that offers students the opportunity to participate in internships and complete a research project while studying abroad. Students are housed in the heart of London, attend classes taught by distinguished professors and scholars, and participate in local internships while working with a Rice University professor on their research project.

Information can be found at: globalurbanlab.rice.edu Students spend a week in

Istanbul, Turkey participating in meetings, discussions and site visits

during spring break.

Deadline for applications is late September.

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Our cohort in London lived together, traveled together, and studied together, each of us choosing from a variety of courses on topics from European Gov-ernment and Politics to International Economics. One course was taught by Rice professors who introduced us to urban development and oversaw our research efforts. In-class learning was supplemented by internships in the city which ranged in location from youth offending teams to hospitals to, my own, a Member of Parliament’s constituency office, offering a unique perspective and immersion into London.

The research project comparing London to Istanbul regarding urban is-sues and themes bloomed during the nine-day excursion to Istanbul

when the London cohort met with the Houston group. The final white paper concluded the program and tied together all

of our experiences. By the end, I had become more familiar with London and Istanbul than I ever would have believed possible, formed an unparalleled bond with my fellow Global Urban Lab comrades, and felt incredibly grateful for my enriching experience of a lifetime.

T. Ariel Guerrero-StewartPolitical science

International Ambassador - ’14 Global Urban Lab, London - ’14

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Global Urban Lab: Istanbul

Students who participate in the Global Urban Lab: Istanbul conduct an

independent research project approved by the program and join the students from London

for a week of fieldwork in Istanbul.

More information can be found at: globalurbanlab.rice.edu

Deadline for applications is mid-October.

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Rice students from Houston join Rice students from London in Istanbul during spring break week to explore and study the city together.

The students meet with city officials and academic leaders to learn about their efforts. They examine the differences and similarities between Istanbul, Houston and London in areas such as transportation, sport, urban development, art, culture and urban economy.

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Mark TrainerSociology, Policy StudiesGlobal Urban Lab, Istanbul - ’14

Gateway Intern - ’14

This program provides a unique opportunity to pursue an independent research project comparing Houston with Istanbul. We specifically investigate an urban issue of interest and explore each city’s approach to managing the matter within the distinct demographic, social and political contexts of an emerging global metropolis.

In preparation for the eventual production of a research paper discussing our findings, Dr. Nia Georges systematically guided us through the qualitative and quantitative research process. In order to fully explore our topics, the class traveled to Istanbul for our spring break for first-hand perspectives and data collection opportunities.

Our Istanbul journey was truly a remarkable experience encompassing both insightful academic opportunities and incredible cultural engagement. From formal discussions with municipal urban development officials, local urban planners and leading academic researchers, to spontaneous conversa-tions with neighborhood residents, I gained access to diverse per-spectives on the urban renewal process in Istanbul for my topic covering the mechanisms driving neighborhood revitalization.

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e x p e r i e n c e se x p e r i e n c e s

RESEARCHRESEARCHGateway Study of Leadership (GSL)

Students from all majors and levels

may apply for GSL fellowship at the start of the

academic year in August.

o Fellows learn the necessary steps toward successfully preparing, conducting, transcribing and analyzing interviews. These skills are essential for any future field research and are especially important for competitive, prestigious scholarships, such as the Fulbright Scholarship.

o Fellows meet in private gatherings with guests of the program to discuss leadership topics and gain insights into the professional world.

o A collection of excerpts from the faculty interviews are published in the Turning Points series.

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A unique student-led program that provides an opportunity for selected fellows to collaborate in a large-scale social scientific research project that engages faculty and leaders on campus. Fellows meet on a weekly basis to learn the essentials of undertaking an inter-view-based research project working in groups and present findings at the Rice Undergraduate Research Symposium.

Nitin AgrawalPolicy Studies,

Biochemistry and Cell Biology GSL Co-Director - ’14 - ’15

Global Uran Lab, Istanbul - ’14 GSL Co-Director - ’13 - ’14

GSL Fellow - ’12 - ’13

I joined Gateway Study of Leadership (GSL) my freshman year. Before coming into college, I immersed myself in high school activities that mainly dealt with pre-med activities. I hadn’t explored other interests I had because pre-med was the most pertinent thing for me. However, once I learned about the GSL program, I became extremely interested in it simply because of the opportunity to not only learn another

method of research but also to learn about the leaders of academia. GSL has allowed me to explore avenues that I don’t think I could have otherwise. It has truly shown me

a whole different world. Coming into college, I had the preconceived notion that most professors went on the same pathway in order to become academics. However, GSL has showed me this is far from

true. It is amazing to see how professors have such diverse backgrounds and expe-riences. Each professor is unique and the manner in which he or she reached

academic prominence is simply awe-inspiring. Every time I interview a professor or listen to an interview conducted, not only do I learn

about a unique person on Rice campus but also I learn more about the nature of leadership and success. The experiences and valuable lessons I have learned in GSL continue to inspire me to work in this program.

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Social Sciences Undergraduate Research Enterprise

Students consult a faculty member and reach

consensus regarding their research project, and submit a SSURE

proposal online.

If selected, findings can be presented through

a variety of venues including the Rice

Undergraduate Research Symposium.

Deadline for applications is late November

for spring enrollment and mid-April

for fall enrollment.

o Students receive individual mentorship from a Rice faculty member, who serves as the project supervisor.

o Funding, up to $1,500, helps defray any costs associated with (a) data collection (e.g., funds to purchase a digital recorder for in-person interviews; membership costs for an online survey program like surveymonkey.com; travel expenses for library research at another university to access non-circulating materials); and (b) data analysis (e.g., funds to purchase statistical programs to analyze qualitative or quantitative data).

o If warranted and if funds are available, SSURE participants travel funding to present their research findings at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR).

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The Social Sciences Undergraduate Research Enterprise (SSURE) fosters research partnerships

between undergraduate social sciences majors and Rice faculty. Participating students complete an independent research project in consultation

with a faculty mentor and are eligible to apply for research funding.

RESEARCHRESEARCH

I was awarded the exciting opportunity to receive funding from the Rice University Social Sciences Undergraduate Research Enterprise (SSURE) offered by the Gateway program. As a result of this funding, I have been able to spend the semester conducting research with faculty mem-ber Dr. Monisha Arya, from Baylor College of Medicine. Through our project, we are creating a mobile health (mHealth) influenza vaccination campaign targeted towards underserved populations in the Houston Harris Health System.

By engaging with public health in this hands-on manner, I am now able to articulate why I want to work in this particular field beyond an abstract interest.

I have learned from my experience, that research is hard, but rewarding. It challenges me to apply my knowledge, pre-pare for the unexpected, and simultaneously accept that I cannot prepare for everything. Conducting research is an invaluable undergraduate experience, which I never expected myself to so passionately pursue.

Ashley PhillipsAnthropology, Policy StudiesHealth, Humanism & Society Scholar - ’14 - ’15 SSURE Researcher - ’14 Gateway Summer Fellow - ’14 Health, Humanism & Society Scholar - ’13 - ’14

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Students who accept an uncompensated, full-time internship position lasting at least eight weeks can apply for a summer fellowship. If approved, students receive a stipend, internship guidance and are matched with an alumni contact. The fellow will interview the alumni contact, along with lead-ers in their internship community, to learn about the possible career pathways within the organization.The Summer Fellows program is open to all non-graduating social sciences majors who have completed a minimum of nine credit hours in their major. Applications are due early in the spring semester.

INTER NSHIPSSummer Fellows

Sample Summer Fellowshipso Argentine National Senate, Buenos Aires, Argentina

o World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland

o Burger King Corporation, Shenzhen, China

o AIDS Foundation-Camp Hope, Houston, Texas

o The National Journalism Center, Washington, D.C.

o Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway

o Vision Long Island, Long Island, New York

o Centro Las Libres, Guanajuato, Mexico

INTER NSHIPS

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The Gateway Summer Fellows program offers stipends for social sciences undergraduates who identify unique uncompen-sated summer internships in the U.S. or abroad to gain first-hand experience working full-time while they build rapport with accomplished alumni and interview leaders to discover the source of inspiration behind their achievements.

The moment I stepped off the plane in Prague, I could tell things were different—the air was practically electric with an unparalleled vitality and aura of historical significance. I was taken aback by the beauty of this new land. In addition, I was blessed with an incredible summer internship at the Forum 2000 Founda-tion, a non-profit that, in cooperation with the Visegrad Group and Visegrad Fund, does democracy promotion work across Central and Eastern Europe.

My trip abroad had a specific purpose beyond personal exploration and a unique work opportunity. As a Summer Fellow for the Gateway program, I was

challenged to identify key alumni, academics, and local leaders who were pushing the envelope of leadership within their respective fields and communities. Turning my gaze to local leaders really sparked an intense surge in my own interest in leadership

as an everyday discipline. Once leadership is no longer construed as something for-ever out of one’s reach, it becomes not just an ideal worth pursuing but a

personal mandate to fulfill as much as possible each and every day. Placing this renewed concept of leadership into my hands

proved valuable, but it was only the first step of many steps I took this summer.

INTER NSHIPS

Andrew J. BacaAnthropology, Philosophy

Gateway Summer Fellow - ’14

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INTER NSHIPSGateway Internships

Students obtain internships by using resources available online and through both the Center for

Career Development and Gateway.All internships must be

approved by the Dean’s office to receive course credit.

Spring Deadline: Mid-January Summer Deadline: Early June

Fall Deadline: Late August

o Participants learn new skills in resume writing, interviewing and networking.

o As interns, students will apply the academic knowledge of research and writing skills toward business practices.

o By participating in a variety of projects and taking on various job responsibilities, interns receive on-the- job training and consultation.

o Interns expand their knowledge by researching assigned topics and learn the organization’s objectives.

INTER NSHIPS

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One of the best ways to decide if a career suits you is to participate in an internship. Internships help students develop a variety of skills, enabling them to put their knowledge to work and secure employment after grad-uation. Whether completed in the United States or abroad, social sciences students who participate in internships can earn up to three hours of course credit through Gateway.

INTER NSHIPS

Leif BergerEconomicsGateway Intern - ’14

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Over the summer, I interned with Morgan Stanley, a multinational financial ser-vices corporation, Houston office doing oil and gas investment banking. It was a 10-week program that included one week of training in New York City. Going into the internship, I had a vague idea of what would be expected of me and what the day-to-day life of an investment banker would look like. Once the internship actually started, (I had been looking forward to it the entire spring semester) I was plunged into the deep end right away. I was put on live deals, pitch books, and all kinds of analyst’s responsibilities. With all that work to do and new challenges coming up every day, my internship went by unbelievably quickly.

I am very happy for the opportunity to have interned with Morgan Stanley. Most importantly, I got a return offer that I immediately accepted. Moreover, I learned so much about finance and life in such a short period of time that I am sure will help me through any future job or challenge.

Contact Infor m ationFor specific information, please contact:

Ipek Martinez Associate Dean & Director of Gateway 713-348-2439 ipek@rice.edu

About the Gateway Study of Leadership or Global Urban Labs.

Alex Wyatt Gateway Administrator 713-348-2181 alex.wyatt@rice.edu

About International Ambassadorships, research & SSURE, Summer Fellows, internships, or to offer internships at your organization.

Laura Welch Fitch Director of Development, Social Sciences 713-348-4482 laurawelchfitch@rice.edu

About supporting Gateway.

Contact Infor m ation

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Check out the School of Social Sciences and Gateway online and on social media.

socialsciencesgateway.rice.edu

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Rice UniversitySchool of Social Sciences

Baker hall 180 MS-276100 Main StHouston, TX

77005