Podcast 1 — What STEM Majors Should Know Before College
Welcome to day one of I Know I’m Right, Author Jonathan David’s planned 365-day podcast series about college preparation, mathematical writing, independent study, and professional development.
This opening episode presents three starting tasks: understand your degree’s mathematical requirements, read your institution’s code of conduct, and examine job postings to learn which skills you should develop throughout college.
1. Understand Your Degree’s Mathematics
Jonathan introduces his own categories for discussing different academic paths. These are his informal labels, rather than official degree classifications.
- Business calculus: Mathematics studied in connection with business applications.
- Science calculus: A calculus-based path connected with trigonometry, physics, and further mathematical study.
- Computer science: A path combining computing with the mathematical requirements of the particular program.
- His physics–language–engineering–mathematics framework: A way of emphasizing the connection between technical reasoning and written communication.
The practical task is to examine your actual degree plan. Identify the required courses, their prerequisites, and how they connect with later coursework. Use your program’s catalog and academic adviser to clarify the sequence.
2. Treat Mathematics as Written Communication
A central theme of the podcast is that technical students must learn to communicate their reasoning. Equations, definitions, notation, and explanatory sentences work together to convey a solution.
- Define the quantities and symbols you use.
- Explain why a method applies.
- Present calculations in a clear sequence.
- State what the result means.
- Review the writing for ambiguity and errors.
Jonathan encourages students to think of solution writing as practice for communicating technical information to colleagues, employers, and clients.
3. Read the Code of Conduct and Syllabus
Jonathan’s first assignment is to read the complete code of conduct yourself. He recommends using text-to-speech if helpful, while still engaging with the full document rather than relying only on a summary.
- Read the institutional policies. Understand academic integrity, student responsibilities, and expectations for conduct.
- Read each course syllabus. Identify attendance expectations, deadlines, assessment rules, and required materials.
- Check the permitted resources. Policies for AI, tutoring, collaboration, videos, and solution manuals vary by institution and course.
- Ask your instructor about unclear rules. Confirm what is permitted before using outside assistance.
- Follow through consistently. Attend required sessions, complete your work, and meet the course’s submission requirements.
4. Look at Job Postings Before Graduation
Jonathan recommends examining approximately 10–20 postings for jobs related to your intended field, including positions in different cities. The purpose is to connect your education with the skills employers request.
- Search for roles related to your major and interests.
- Distinguish entry-level opportunities from positions requiring substantial experience.
- Record recurring software, technical, and communication requirements.
- Identify ways to practice those skills through coursework, projects, internships, or other relevant experience.
- Revisit the postings as your interests and qualifications develop.
The episode particularly emphasizes clear written and spoken communication, reliability, teamwork, and software proficiency. Exact requirements depend on the employer and position.
5. Build Software Fluency Through Practice
Jonathan favors Microsoft Word and other Microsoft Office tools for producing documents, writing equations, organizing data, and presenting work. He recommends developing these skills gradually during college.
He also discusses programming languages and specialized applications, including C++, Java, Python, SAS, CAD, Adobe, and Canva. These examples are intended to prompt students to investigate the tools relevant to their own goals.
- Use software appropriate to the assignment and permitted by your instructor.
- Practice producing readable documents and clearly formatted equations.
- Learn to organize, analyze, and present information.
- Choose additional tools based on your coursework and intended career.
6. Consider How Mathematics and Computing Connect
Jonathan recommends that mathematics students consider computer science and that computer science students consider mathematics. He also discusses business study as a possible complement to other technical fields.
Before adding a minor, examine how it supports your goals and affects your course load, costs, and graduation timeline. His recommendations describe his perspective; the appropriate choice depends on your program and circumstances.
7. Practice Solving Problems Yourself
The podcast strongly emphasizes active work. Jonathan compares learning mathematics with developing a practical skill: observing someone else can show a method, but you still need to practice applying it yourself.
- Make your own attempt before consulting a permitted worked solution.
- Identify where your reasoning becomes uncertain.
- Compare approaches and explain the differences.
- Return to the problem and check that you can complete it independently.
- Use feedback to improve your next attempt.
Your Day-One Checklist
- Review your degree plan and mathematical prerequisites.
- Read the complete code of conduct.
- Read your syllabi and clarify resource policies.
- Examine 10–20 relevant job postings.
- List the skills you want to develop during college.
- Begin a consistent routine of independent practice and clear solution writing.
Continue the I Know I’m Right Series
Jonathan plans to use this series to discuss STEM education, mathematical communication, study habits, and lessons from his experience studying and working with students.
Explore The Ultimate Crash Course for STEM Majors for his collection of study guidance, formulas, equations, and solution-writing examples. Visit the website for the growing podcast and video library.
Half of the podcast episodes are free, and the alternating episodes are for members. Become a member for full access to my lessons, podcasts, reading library, and video audiobooks—all ad-free on my website.
Monthly and annual members can request podcast topics. Requests are addressed one at a time in the order received, with up to two requests per month. Topic requests should be reasonable and do not include completing homework or assessments.
Disclaimer: My videos and podcasts express personal opinions and are intended strictly for entertainment. Commentary may include speculation, hearsay, satire, or fictional material and should not be treated as verified fact or professional advice. This post summarizes the episode’s practical themes. Academic policies, degree requirements, and employment expectations vary. Fictional works may contain mature themes and are recommended for audiences 18 and older.