Frequently Asked Questions

What Does OTF Participation Look Like for Each Year?

Year 1: introduces OTF scholars/professional society mentors to activities for building social capital and networking with professional societies.

Year 2: features professional societies providing OTF scholars with skill-building workshops, short courses, and field trips with critical feedback to societies.

Year 3: tasks OTF scholars with mentors/professional societies to refine social and networking practices within society functions.

Year 4: returns OTF scholars as emerging leaders to earlier stage activities to reinforce best practices.

Is There an Age Limit to Apply to OTF?

No, there is no age limit for applying to the OTF program as a scholar or mentor.

Initiated in 2013 with support from the GSA President, Council, and Foundation, the program formed part of GSA's 125th anniversary celebrations. With funding from individual members and donors, corporate sponsors, and GSA’s Sections, Divisions, and Associated Societies, and the National Science Foundation (NSF), OTF will continue to support geoscience scholars and mentors to attend GSA Connects annual conferences.

This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation under Award no. 2333261/62 and the Geological Society of America Foundation.

Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.