_Pablo de la Iglesia:_ What many people don’t know is that in science you get paid to get a degree. It’s not like medical school or others in which you have to pay your tuition and pay your own living costs. No, this is like a job and besides you can study. So there are many benefits to getting a higher degree.
_Erika Montero:_ You are listening to EarthSky’s podcast, _La Clara Voz_.
_Cielo y Tierra_ had the opportunity to speak to a postgraduate student at the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science’s annual conference. SACNAS’ goal is to inspire student to continue their graduate studies. In this interview, Pablo de la Iglesia, tells us the reason why he decided to study science, and most importantly a PhD.
_Erika Montero:_ Could you please tell me your name, where you study and what you study?
_Pablo de la Iglesia:_ My name is Pablo de la Iglesia, I study Chemical Engineering at the _University of New Mexico_ in Albuquerque.
_Erika Montero:_ And, what school year are you in?
_Pablo de la Iglesia:_ I am a senior, well I still have two years to go so next year I will be a super senior.
_Erika Montero:_ Very well, and are you planning to go to graduate school?
_Pablo de la Iglesia:_ Yes, definitely, I would like to get a PhD degree. I am in Chemical Engineering but I am now interested in the biological aspect, so probably a PhD in Biochemical Engineering.
Erika Montero: And what made you decide to be a scientist?
Pablo de la Iglesia: Something very important to me is job security and a higher degree gives you higher job security. That’s the basic thought I had many, many years ago. But then I received more information and realized that I should get a second PhD, a PhD and research, and I became very interested. And I began working, teaching in an engineering teaching lab a couple of years ago, and that’s why I am very interested in bioengineering. So I am really interested in the areas of research they have, so I would like to continue in research. So at fist it was about job security but now I am really interested in the actual programs.
_Erika Montero:_ Was there a particular moment that made you realize you wanted to be a scientist?
_Pablo de la Iglesia:_ Yes, I am in the _IMSD_ program at my university, which is the _Initiative to Maximize Student Diversity_, and it was when I met the lady that runs the program, her name is Maggie Washburn, she was the one that made some very good points about continuing with graduate school. So it wasn’t a particular moment but a particular person, that’s what happened.
_Erika Montero:_ And if you were talking to a high school student, what advise would you give a student who is still not in college about pursuing a career in science?
_Pablo de la Iglesia:_ Personally, my interest is in getting a position in academia. Once you get into academia you have job security, but if you decide you do not want to enter into academia you can go to the private sector. The fact that you have a higher degree than a bachelor’s offers you higher income and more stability. It’s a win-win situation, all for just studying a couple more years more. Besides, many people don’t know that in science you get paid to study your degree, it’s not like medical school or other areas in which you have to pay the tuition and living expenses. This is like having a job while you study. So there are great benefits if you get a higher degree.
_Erika Montero:_ And, how important do you think is parent support?
_Pablo de la Iglesia:_ Very important, I have always had the support of my parents, thank God. First I was in Mexico for very long and my parents were here. They provided me support; they would visit me and send me money. But eventually I came to live with them and they have always supported me.
_Erika Montero:_ Pablo, thank you very much! Have a nice day!
_Pablo de la Iglesia:_ Thank you!
_Erika Montero:_ Our thanks to Pablo de la Iglesia, graduate student at _New Mexico University Albuquerque_. I am Erika Montero and this was EarthSky’s podcast, _La Clara Voz_, produced by _EarthSky Communications_.
