PIC Math: Preparation for Industrial Careers in the Mathematical Sciences

许多商界、工业界和政府领导人呼吁美国劳动力中需要合格的STEM(科学、技术、工程和数学)专业人员。在数学科学领域，许多学生没有意识到这些机会，教职员工可以帮助学生为非学术职业做准备。该奖项支持全国性的数学科学工业职业准备计划(PIC Math)，该计划旨在提高数学科学教师和本科生对非学术职业选择的认识，提供处理商业、工业和政府问题的研究经验，并培养出色的沟通技能。PIC数学计划将为教师提供工具和培训，帮助他们更好地为学生在商业、工业和政府(BIG)职业生涯做准备。为了实现这一目标，主要调查人员将为教师举办暑期培训讲习班，帮助教师为本科生组织为期一学期的以研究为重点的课程，为参与的本科生组织竞赛和暑期表彰大会，并获得大实体的支持。该计划包括一个强大的本科生研究部分，因为学生参与研究已被证明在提高学生获得STEM学位的成功方面是有效的。教师学员将指导本科生，使他们发展有助于他们在STEM职业生涯中取得成功的技能，包括职业机会知识、处理大型组织问题的经验，以及发展有效的写作和口头陈述技能。美国数学协会对数学科学中代表性不足群体的支持也将反映在这一计划中。该奖项由美国国家科学基金会数学科学部和本科生教育部共同支持。

Many business, industry, and government leaders have called for qualified STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) professionals in the U.S. workforce. In the mathematical sciences, many students are unaware of these opportunities, and faculty could use assistance in preparing students for nonacademic careers. This award supports the nationwide program Preparation for Industrial Careers in Mathematical Sciences (PIC Math), which aims to increase awareness among mathematical sciences faculty and undergraduate students about nonacademic career options, provide research experience working on questions from business, industry, and government, and foster excellent communication skills.The PIC Math program will provide faculty with tools and training to help them better prepare students for business, industry, and government (BIG) careers. To accomplish this, the principal investigators will conduct summer training workshops for faculty, help faculty organize a semester-long research-focused course for undergraduate students, organize a competition and summer recognition conference for participating undergraduate students, and secure support from BIG entities. The program includes a strong undergraduate research component since student participation in research has been shown to be effective in improving student success in graduating with a STEM degree. The faculty participants will mentor undergraduate students so they develop skills that will help them to succeed in a career in STEM, including knowledge of career opportunities, experience in working on problems from BIG organizations, and development of effective writing and oral presentation skills. The Mathematical Association of America's focus on supporting underrepresented groups in the mathematical sciences will be reflected in this program as well. This award is jointly supported by NSF's Division of Mathematical Sciences and Division of Undergraduate Education.