On Becoming Educated: Recent Episodes

Pa Vue

Follow Pa Vue, a first-generation college student, as she shares stories from her journey to pursue a PhD. From taking the GRE to defending her dissertation, you’ll hear all about how she navigates every step of graduate school. This podcast is perfect for educators, individuals interested in going to grad school, and, of course, first-generation college students.

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In this episode, Pa shares two lessons she learned at the end of year 2 of grad school.

Show notes:

Episode 43: On Starting the Semester Successfully

Episode 22: On How to Write a Personal Statement

Episode 21: On How to Write a Statement of Purpose

How to Write a Personal Statement Workbook

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In this episode, Pa shares how she plans for the beginning of the semester. 

Show notes:

Episode 38: On Making Friends (or Not) in Grad School

Literature Review Spreadsheet

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In this episode, Pa discusses her experience with intentionality in grad school. 

Show notes

Great British Bake Off

Episode 2

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In this episode, Pa talks to Nancy Xiong, an Economic and Community Development Leader by day and a Creative Artist by night, about her educational journey. They discuss their experiences as Hmong girls and the opportunities education provided for them to understand themselves in relation to the world. 

Show notes

www.nancyxiong.com

Kimberlee Crenshaw

Patrica Hill Collins

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In this episode, Pa talks about 5 reasons why it’s hard to say no to stuff in grad school. She explains the importance of learning how to say no and shares some tips on how to say no. 

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It's application season! As such I'm re-releasing this episode to help anyone who is in the process of working on their statement of purpose. In this episode, I talk about what a statement of purpose is and share the steps I took to writing my statement of purpose.

Show Notes:

Episode 3

Episode 11

Episode 19

How to write introductions

Ways to begin an essay

How to write conclusions

Transition words and phrases

Making your paper flow

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In this episode, Pa discusses why some people choose not to be friends with their classmates in grad school and why she chooses to.

Show notes:

Episode 2

Episode 3

Episode 6

Episode 33

Episode 34

Episode 17

The Chair

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In this episode, Pa shares experiences and thoughts from the first few days of the fall 2021 semester. 

Show notes:

Get a copy of the Personal Statement Workbook by going to www.onbecomingeducated.com/shop

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In this episode, Pa interviews Kaolee Yang and Olivia Xiong-Vang about their educational journeys. Kaolee and Olivia were both born in Thailand and came to the U.S. as kids. Kaolee is the chief financial officer for a community action agency in Salem, Oregon. Olivia is the Project Portfolio Manager for Department of Consumer and Business Services Workers Compensation Division for the State of Oregon. They are also creators and co-hosts of the All That Talk Talk Show and regional co-directors for Hmong Women Today. Throughout this episode, they share thoughtful advice and lessons they learned on their educational journeys.

Show Notes:
How to Write a Personal Statement Workbook

All That Talk Talk Show on Facebook

All That Talk Talk Show on Instagram

Hmong Women Today

Beta Alpha Psi

CPA Exam

Finding Love with Charm

Reach Olivia on Facebook @olivia_xv

Reach Olivia on LinkedIn @olivia_xv

Reach Olivia on Instagram @_olivia

Email Olivia at olivia_vang@yahoo.com

Reach Kaolee on Facebook here.

Reach Kaolee on LinkedIn here.

Reach Kaolee on Instagram @like_cali

Email Kaolee at thekaoleeyang@gmail.com

Visit the All the Talk Talk Show at allthattalktalkshow.com

Email the All the Talk Talk Show at admin@allthattalktalkshow.com

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In this episode, Pa shares what she learned after finishing the first year of her PhD program at UC, Berkeley.

Show notes:

Robin Kimmerer

Gloria Ladson-Billings

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In this episode, Pa shares 8 things you can do now if you plan on applying to grad school. 

Show notes:

Romanized Popular Alphabet

Pa’s spreadsheet for organizing grad school applications

MCAT

The GRE (Graduate Record Examination)

Episode 14: On Taking the GRE: A Discussion

Episode 22: On How to Write a Personal Statement

Episode 21: On How to Write a Statement of Purpose

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In this episode, Pa shares what it felt like to leave her position as a writing center coordinator at California State University, Chico to go to grad school. She also shares some things to consider if you are working full time and want to pursue grad school. 

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In this episode, Pa interviews Seng Alex Vang about his educational journey. Seng currently teaches at UC, Merced, Cal State Stanislaus, and Fresno State. He is also the managing editor of Hmong American Experience, a platform that shares content about education, culture, and politics in the Hmong American community. 

Hmong American Experience Facebook Page

Hmong PhD Directory

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In this episode, Pa shares her journey with becoming a race-conscious educator.

Show notes:

8 Dead in Atlanta Spa Shootings, With Fears of Anti-Asian Bias

‘Riverdale’ Star Charles Melton on Anti-Asian Hate Crimes: ‘I Failed to Defend My Heritage in Fear of Retribution’ (Guest Column)

Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong

Raya and the Last Dragon

Culturally Relevant Pedagogy

Multicultural Education

Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy

Critical Race Theory

Jess X. Snow Artwork

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In this episode, Pa analyzes and shares her experience with unlearning and how important it is in the learning process. 

Show notes:

On Anti-Asian Hate Crimes: Who Is Our Real Enemy? By Michelle Kim

Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning(This is an affiliate link, which means if you click on this link and make a purchase, I will receive a small percentage of the purchase at no extra cost to you.)

“Do Not Go Gentle into the Good Night” by Dylan Thomas

Pedagogy of the Oppressed(This is an affiliate link, which means if you click on this link and make a purchase, I will receive a small percentage of the purchase at no extra cost to you.)

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In this episode, Pa shares some stories from her first semester of grad school during the pandemic. Instead of telling you how it was and is like to start a PhD program during the COVID-19 pandemic, she hopes to show you so that you can draw your own conclusions.

Show notes:

Louis Althusser

Taquiera La Familia

The Wretched of the Earth (This is an affiliate link, which means if you click on this link and make a purchase, I will receive a small percentage of the purchase at no extra cost to you.)

Black Skin, White Masks (This is an affiliate link, which means if you click on this link and make a purchase, I will receive a small percentage of the purchase at no extra cost to you.)

Cafe Colucci

Avant-garde pop lipstick

Bold pop lipstick

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In this episode, Pa interviews Alison Saechao about her educational journey. Alison is an Educational Talent Search Specialist at Woodland Community College and shares her experience growing up in the small town of Oroville, California and her path to earning her master’s degree in history.  

Show Notes:

Iu Mien

Secret War

Educational Talent Search

Upward Bound

TRiO Programs

UCLA

CSU, Chico

History Department at CSU, Chico

If you’d like to connect with Alison, you can reach her at alisonsaechao@gmail.com. 

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In this episode, Pa shares her experience with her grad school interview(s) and some advice on how you can approach your own grad school interview. 

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In this episode, Pa shares 10 other things she learned during her first semester of grad school. She also comments on the January 6th riot in the U.S. Capitol and shares her new Facebook group, The On Becoming Educated Aftershow, which she created for listeners to continue discussing topics from the podcast.

Show Notes:

Colonialism

Black Lives Matter

Orientalism

Continue the conversation on The On Becoming Educated Aftershow

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In this episode, Pa shares 10 things she learned during the first semester of her PhD program. 

Show Notes:

How much water should you drink?

Mendeley Reference Manager

Zotero

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In this episode, Pa shares why she changed her diet and added a regular exercise schedule. She also shares some of her favorite salad dressings and how she started her regular exercise schedule.

Show Notes:

Diaphragmatic Breathing

Honey Mustard Dressing with Greek Yogurt

Red Wine Vinegar Dressing with dry oregano and ground cumin (this should be enough to last you a few days)

  • 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil

  • 1/4 cup of red wine vinegar (depending on how tangy you want your dressing)

  • oregano, cumin, honey, salt to taste

Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

Asian Sesame Dressing

Honey-Garlic Glazed Salmon

Beginner’s Running Program

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In this episode, Pa shares how she started a gratitude challenge and how gratitude helped her access other forms of self-care. She will also be starting a new challenge on October 12, 2020, so you can follow along on Instagram and Facebook and join her. 

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In this episode, Pa gives an update on how grad school is going and shares how she approached writing a personal statement. She defines what a personal statement is and how it differs from a statement of purpose. 

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In this episode, Pa talks about what a statement of purpose is and shares the steps she took to writing her statement of purpose.

Show Notes:

Episode 3

Episode 11

Episode 19

How to write introductions

Ways to begin an essay

How to write conclusions

Transition words and phrases

Making your paper flow

Email Pa at pa@bypavue.com. 

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In this episode, Pa interviews Dr. Malaphone Phommasa about her experience getting her PhD at UC, Santa Barbara. Dr. Phommasa shares her journey to UC, Irvine, how she became interested in research, and how she navigated the different challenges of grad school. Dr. Phommasa is the Director of Academic Success Initiatives at UC, Santa Barbara.

Things mentioned on the show:

GATE Program 

UC, Santa Barbara

UC, Irvine

American Educational Research Association

You can reach Dr. Phommasa at mphommasa@ltsc.ucsb.edu. 

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In this episode, Pa shares seven things you should do after you’ve decided you want to pursue a PhD. She also shares a tool she used to track her grad school search. 

Show Notes:

Episode 3: On Five Questions to Ask Yourself Before Going to Grad School

Episode 4: On the Importance of Mentors and Cheerleaders

Episode 6: On Grad School Funding

Episode 14: On Taking the GRE

Pa’s Application Tracking Spreadsheet

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In this episode, Pa talks about moving to Berkeley amidst wildfire season and settling in to her new home. 

Things mentioned on the show:

Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“Nres Sij Hawm” by Hue Chee Yang

University of California, Berkeley

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In this episode, Pa talks about how she recently ran into imposter syndrome and comparison and how she dealt with it. She also shares some strategies she learned to use when this happens.  

Things mentioned in the show:

Episode 9: On Imposter Syndrome

Dare to Lead by Brene Brown (this is an affiliate link to bookshop.org, which supports independent bookstores)

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In this episode, Pa talks about why it’s important not to get ahead of yourself and shares some strategies on how to stop getting ahead of yourself. 

Episode 11: On What I Want to Study in Grad School

Brene Brown

Episode 6: On Grad School Funding

Asian and Pacific Islander Council at Chico State

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In this episode, Pa talks about the different housing options available to graduate students and shares her experience finding a place to live in Berkeley. 

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In this episode, Pa and guest Pragya Saxena discuss their experiences taking the GRE. They also make recommendations about what you should focus on if you are planning to take the GRE.

Shownotes:

The Official Guide to the GRE General Test (Pa’s study material - This is an affiliate link, which means if you purchase anything after clicking on this link, I will receive a small percentage of the payment to help cover podcast costs.)

GRE Fee Reduction Program

Manhattan Prep (Pragya’s study material)

University of California Votes Down SAT

It’s GPAs Not Standardized Tests that Predict College Success

GRE

Graduate programs drop GRE after online version raises concerns about fairness

Most Common GRE Words - GRE Vocabulary Wednesday (Magoosh Test Prep)

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In this episode, Pa shares what scares her most about going back to grad school, and it might not be what you think it is.

Things mentioned in this episode:

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han (This is an affiliate link, which means if you make a purchase, I'll get a small percentage of total amount you spent, which will go towards the management of this podcast.)

Episode 1: On Becoming Educated

Episode 2: On Going to Grad School Right After College

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In this episode, Pa interviews her friend Carmelo Miranda about his educational journey from Compton to the University of California, Davis. Carmelo is a first generation college student who has years of experience in educational support programs. He is the MESA Assistant Director at Woodland Community College and is currently finishing his educational doctorate (EdD) at UC, Davis. 

Show Notes:

Health Services Administration - California State University, Chico

Upward Bound Projects - California State University, Chico

Capital Area North Doctorate in Educational Leadership - University of California, Davis

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Episode Description: 

In this episode, Pa talks about why she wants to study the Hmong language in her PhD program and how that all came about. 

Show Notes:

Highland Peoples of Southeast Asia

Hmong Language

UNESCO Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger

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In this episode, Pa shares 5 reasons why she chose to do her PhD at UC, Berkeley. 

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Show Notes:

Episode 7: On 9 Things I Learned After Applying to 7 PhD Programs
On the Art of Selecting a Graduate Program (blog post)

“Top Public Schools” from U.S. News & World Report

“Top 25 Public Colleges 2019: The Best Education for $30,000 Less” from Forbes

Upward Bound

Felicity

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In this episode, Pa shares a moment that set off imposter syndrome. She also discusses how she has learned to deal with imposter syndrome, especially when it comes to applying to grad school.

Things mentioned on the show:

UC, Berkeley School of Education

Hmong Language

“Yes, Imposter Syndrome Is Real. And Here’s How to Deal with It” (from Time)

“Feel like a fraud?” (from gradPSYCH, a publication of the American Psychological Association)

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In this episode, Pa interviews Dr. Cawa Tran about her journey from a poor neighborhood in San Diego to the University of Hawaii at Manoa where she earned her PhD to being a professor at California State University, Chico. They discuss the amount of dedication it takes to become a professor and what it means to be educated. 

Follow Dr. Tran’s work on Twitter at @CawaTran

Tran Lab is Dr. Tran’s lab at California State University, Chico.

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In this episode, Pa shares 9 things she learned after applying to 7 PhD programs.

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In this episode, Pa talks about her relationship with money and why grad school funding is such a priority for her. She also goes over the different types of funding you should expect in grad school, especially in PhD programs. 

Show Notes:

The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education

List of Carnegie R1 and R2 Research Classifications Doctoral Universities

Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans

The Great Affordability Crisis Breaking America

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In this episode, Pa talks about how learning requires us to be vulnerable and courageous. She also talks about the power in all of us to decide whether or not we’ve had enough learning. 

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In this episode, Pa shares why it’s important to have mentors and cheerleaders and how to start building those relationships if you don’t have them yet.

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In this episode, Pa talks about her experience applying to a doctorate program in her early 30s and why she chose not to go through with it. She shares some of the questions she asked herself in order to make a decision she’s happy with. She also shares how her answers to those questions have changed with time.

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In this episode, Pa talks about her experience going into a PhD program right after she graduated with her bachelor’s degree. She shares some of the ups, downs, and realizations she made on this journey. She also shares some tips for those who are feeling the pressure to go to grad school. 

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In this episode, Pa shares her story and why she created the On Becoming Educated podcast. She also discusses what you can expect from future episodes of this podcast.

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