USDA 1983

1983 USDA Minority Research Apprentices.
Federal, Professors, and Students documents related to USDA Research Apprenticeship Program, 1983.
Annual Report School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 1983-84

These are the student responses from the 1983 program. You can find the PDF in the library section of the exhibit. The page numbers will point you to the proper page on the PDF.

What are your career plans?

  • “I plan to go into the field of Chemistry or Biology.” (p. 11)
  • “I plan to Major in Pre med and become a physician.” (p. 13)
  • “I plan to major in laboratory animal science and pursue a career in veterinarian science.” (p. 16)

Has the program provided the type of learning experience you expected?

  • “I really learned a lot about research at NCSU” (p. 6)
  • “This program has given me more than I can ever repay.” (p. 8)
  • “I found it to be one of the best learning experiences I ever had.” (p. 17)
  • “Yes. You get the chance to learn about special equipment that ordinarily would not be available for you to use.”  (p. 19)

What was the most significant learning experience you had?

  • “Working in the lab and getting to be around a lot of people, I learned about chemicals and the different instruments, in the lab, I also learned about the campus and campus life.” (p. 6)
  • “The most significant learning experience was the fact that I was given my own project to work which I plan to continue my research in the following summer.” (p. 8)
  • “I learned the value of research and acquired an appreciation of the amount of time and effort involved and I also obtained a certain amount of satisfaction out of seeing the results of my research.” (p. 17)
  • “Individual study: Working on my own project gave me a sense of responsibility. My professor (mentor) Dr. Corbin is a very concerned person who gave me all sorts of help.” (p. 19)

Did you feel that the area in which you worked was the best one for your particular case?

  • “Biochemistry is a very interesting area to me. When I major it will likely be in a course like biochemistry.” (p. 7)
  • “Because I plan to major in Chemistry and go into Medical school and the Genetics program is much like the Chemistry program.” (p. 9)
  • “Since I am interested in some type of medical field, microbiology would allow me to pursue many different specialties.” (p. 12)
  • “Since I plan to deal with animals, the area I was in was perfect for me.” (p. 14)
  • “Yes. I found my area of research particularly interesting and it helped me to make up my mind about my future career interests.” (p. 18)

One of the basic reasons (objectives for the conduct of this program was to acquaint you with some of the research that is being conducted in the School of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Have your ideas about research in the agricultural and biological sciences changed since you have been a part of the program?

  • “Yes. I thought it would be a lot of book work. But I learned that when you got in the program you learned a lot by doing the work. Also, working in the lab can give you rewards and satisfaction.” (p. 7)
  • “I’ve found that the Research is more lab work than field work.” (p. 9)
  • “The research is much more interesting and exciting than I had thought it would be.” (p. 12)
  • “My ideas have changed because the research I read about in school was completed and forgotten about here and many new experiments were beginning to take shape.” (p. 14)
  • “Yes. I have previously pursued an interest in the physical sciences, but I found the biological sciences to suite my interests more.”  (p. 18)
  • “Yes. Initially, I thought research was a monotonous boring process. But I discovered that research can be enjoying.” (p. 20) 

If you have not made a career (academic) choice, would you now have any interest in the agricultural sciences as a career? Please explain.

  • “Yes, I would be a very interesting career to go into.” (p. 7)
  • “I have made a career choice (A Medical Profession).” (p. 9)
  • “Yes. Since I am still not sure about my future, anything would be considered.” (p. 12)
  • “I am more interested in the biological sciences.”  (p. 18)
  • “Already decided” (p. 20)

Did your research supervisor give you the guidance and supervision you thought you should have had?

  • “He showed me how to do things and taught me a lot about biochemistry.” (p. 7)
  • “Dr. Spiker aided me in every aspect. He helped me to adjust to the Research life in the Genetics Dept.” (p. 9)
  • “Dr. Melton has been a tremendous help to me in that he has advised me on courses and programs that I would benefit from.” (p. 12)
  • “They gave me more. In addition to the supervisor, many of the employees and graduate students were always there to help me.” (p. 14)
  • “Dr. Roberts is a very good teacher and gave me enough responsibility and knowledge to get satisfaction out of my work.”  (p. 18)
  • “Dr. Corbin was (and still is) a nice, considerate man who is willing to devote his time to make sure his students do the best job possible.” (p. 20)

What comments, if any, do you have regarding the following:

  • “Social Security: During the program I found that only the people who were paid out of their Dept’s got social security taken out. It should be made sure of that every participant has social security taken out.” (p. 10)

Strong points of the Program:

  • “Everything was just fantastic.” (p. 10)
  • “I think the strongest point was the fact that I was exposed to a small taste of college life and to many new people.” (p. 15)

Weak Points of the Program:

  • “None.” (p. 10)
  • “I wish it could have been offered to me sooner so I could have attended it twice.” (p. 15)
  • “But certain of my proteges are not having social security deducted.”  (p. 19)