If there is one piece of advice I could give students for how to have an engaging and rewarding academic career, it's to keep up on email. Sorting through all the emails various departments send out can be a draining chore, but every once in a while it can lead to an exciting opportunity.
For example, I just recently learned about the McMaster Children and Youth University and I'm very excited. First, because there is an opportunity for local youth to engage with the university and learn more about university-level research in a fun and accessible way (what a brilliant, community-enriching idea!) Second, because they are looking for people to help with this project (and I am just the person!) and third, because this could be an opportunity to do some Philosophy for Children!
I have only run a few Philosophy for Children sessions in the past but I have enjoyed them immensely. The idea that children can engage in philosophy is gaining popularity in the philosophy community, (as a matter of fact, I just found out about a new journal on the subject) and understandably so. Philosophy for Children allows people to have early contact and familiarity with what we do, which is important if we want the respect and understanding of the public. Many of us have had early experiences in science, we understand what science is about and respect it as a discipline, but the general public tends to have a foggy concept of what philosophy is and why it is important. I genuinely believe the best way to show people isn't by explaining what great philosophers have said, but by inviting them to participate in the process.
Furthermore, it's not very often I find a venue for doing these projects. In the past I have had opportunities to work with children in classrooms and conferences, but those opportunities are few and far between. I'm really excited to learn more and get involved with this project!
