Career And Research Exploration to Enhance Retention in STEM (CAREERS)

在许多情况下，学生不坚持从事STEM领域的主要原因是，一旦毕业，他们对STEM职业的全面范围缺乏了解。布埃纳维斯塔大学（Buena Vista University）的多学科职业和研究探索，以提高STEM （CAREERS）项目的保留率，利用STEM领域的职业知识作为一种新工具，提高低收入、少数民族、农村（LIMR）本科生在STEM领域的保留率。该项目面向STEM专业的学生，包括生物学、生物化学、化学、计算机科学、环境科学、数学、物理和科学教育。在美国国家科学基金会科学、技术、工程和数学奖学金（S-STEM）项目的支持下，CAREERS将为符合佩尔资格、有学术天赋的学生群体提供奖学金和战略学生支持。有证据表明，代表性不足的少数族裔学生不仅缺少获得榜样和导师的机会，而且教师对他们的期望也较低，缺乏强大的社会支持网络，而这些都是大学成功的必要因素。该CAREERS项目提供了一系列有效的干预措施，如学习社区、辅导、指导、成功计划和健全的职业发展计划，以提高代表性不足的学生在STEM领域的成功和保留率。具体活动包括研讨会式课程、以职业为中心的科学取样之旅、顶点体验、科学应用于工业的定向探索、跨学科研究机会、实习和拓展演讲。这些将为成功的STEM职业探索和选择提供关键因素。该项目将为有针对性的招聘策略如何与STEM职业相关的课程、联合课程和课外项目相结合，塑造LIMR学生的职业轨迹的研究文献提供补充。CAREERS可能会为全国的STEM项目提供一个模式，尤其是在文科院校，这些院校往往会招收大量在STEM领域代表性不足的学生。

In many situations, the main reason why students do not persist in STEM fields is the lack of knowledge about the comprehensive range of STEM careers available to them once they graduate. Buena Vista University's multi-disciplinary Career And Research Exploration to Enhance Retention in STEM (CAREERS) program leverages career knowledge in STEM as a novel tool for increased retention of low income, minority, rural (LIMR) undergraduate students in STEM. The project targets STEM majors in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, mathematics, physics and science education. With support from the NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) program, CAREERS will provide scholarships and strategic student support to cohorts of Pell-eligible, academically talented students. Evidence suggests that not only do underrepresented minority students have reduced access to role models and mentors but they also experience lower expectations from faculty and lack strong social support networks, all necessary elements for college success. This CAREERS project provides a spectrum of effective interventions such as learning communities, tutoring, mentoring, success programs, and a robust career development plan to enhance underrepresented students' success and retention in STEM fields. Specific activities include seminar-style courses, a career-focused science sampler trip, capstone experiences, directed exploration of science as applied to industry, interdisciplinary research opportunities, internships, and outreach presentations. These will provide critical ingredients for successful STEM career exploration and selection. The project will add to the research literature on ways in which targeted recruitment strategies integrated with curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular programming around STEM careers shape the career trajectories of LIMR students. CAREERS can potentially provide a model for STEM programs across the country, especially at liberal arts colleges that tend to enroll a high number of students underrepresented in STEM fields.