By Elizabeth Long, GSA Associate Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
As we look forward to commemorating a remarkable milestone, the tenth anniversary of our On To the Future (OTF) program, we reconnected with some of our esteemed alumni to hear about the impact OTF had on their lives, and to learn more about their current pursuits and the legacy they continue to forge. We spoke to Carmi Milagros Thompson about their experience with this groundbreaking program.
GSA: When did you participate in OTF? Where were you in your Geoscience education and career path? Where was the GSA Connects Meeting that year?
CMT: I participated in OTF in Fall 2015, when GSA was held in Baltimore. I was just starting my junior year of undergraduate at the College of William and Mary – and my journey into paleontological research.
GSA: Why did you decide to apply to OTF?
CMT: I decided to apply to OTF because I wanted to know more about geological careers, travel support, and it looked like a wonderful way to build a cohort (and I was still feeling lost and new in geoscience).
GSA: What was your experience like in OTF? What aspects of OTF were most valuable to you?
CMT: It was really awesome! I was matched with the perfect mentor – a geoscience librarian at the US Geological Survey – and she introduced me to tons of her colleagues and really took the time to make sure that I was oriented and networking at the meeting. I also have to give a shoutout to Tahlia Bear and her foundational vision and work involved in developing the program – she not only kept me connected but allowed sponsorship opportunities within GSA, and I am deeply grateful for all she has done for the organization. I felt the resources and the space provided to exist fully were what really made the difference for me in the program.
GSA: Have you stayed in touch with people that you met during your OTF year?
CMT: Not so much – I was in an earlier cohort and we didn’t have the opportunity to connect as much. I have had great chances to meet and connect with later cohorts – and even connect junior colleagues to the resources OTF provides!
GSA: Are you still involved in the Geosciences as a career path? What are you doing now?
CMT: Surprisingly, I am still in the geosciences – I am back in school again and working toward my doctoral degree at the Ohio State University.
GSA: You’ve stayed involved in GSA since your OTF experience. Can you talk about what keeps you involved?
CMT: Honestly, a major component of what keeps me involved in GSA is seeing how OTF has grown and evolved over the years (and the opportunities that have been afforded by my OTF alumni status) – having this space to ground and center myself, and connect with colleagues who have similar identities and experiences, has allowed me to grow professionally and build my voice as an emerging geoscience professional. Scholarship is great, and I’ve given about ~20 talks / posters at GSA Connects meetings in my time since starting in OTF, but I am really excited to help grow, inspire, and learn from these new generations of OTF scholars, and see what we can do to not only change GSA, but the earth sciences discipline as a whole.
GSA: What would you like to see OTF and GSA focus on in the future? Are there particular events or topics you’d like to see addressed?
CMT: I think an emphasis on interdisciplinary scholarship in topical sessions and involving outside affinity groups would be an exciting direction for GSA to proceed – although I could not attend, I loved the meet-ups last year, and hope to see that continue. I also want to see a long-term strategic plan for OTF and see how things can grow and improve moving forward. Yes, there have been great accomplishments, but let’s continue to grow!
Editor’s note: This interview was edited for brevity and clarity.
As you read the impact of OTF for these participants from ‘then to now’ and would like to help this program continue to expand, please consider joining our community of support.
If you are an On To the Future program alum and are interested in sharing your story, please reach out to me at elong@geosociety.org.
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