Abstract
ObjectivesThere has long existed significant underrepresentation of minority students in STEM training and careers. Ongoing efforts to improve opportunities and participation for underrepresented minority students have focused on multiple areas, from increased funding to early exposure to research in STEM. We developed the novel Future Life Map career planning exercise with the goal of contributing to this multi-faceted approach. The exercise emphasizes on the consideration of multiple potential career destinations and routes to those destination. The exercise was designed with the goal of improving participant awareness of options and career planning self-efficacy to improve success and retention of underrepresented minority student participation and retention in STEM.MethodsWe implemented the Future Life Map exercise with 2 separate groups of under-represented minority undergraduate students pursuing careers in STEM. Participants then completed an anonymous survey to evaluate the exercise and describe the value they derived from completing the Future Life Map.ResultsThe exercise presentation and its supporting documents were highly rated by participants with >81% of respondents rating it as “very informative” (4 or 5 on a 5-point Likert Scale). Participants reported that they were very likely to recommend the exercise to others (25 of 27 participants) and were likely to repeat the activity for their own future decision making (22 participants). Themes that emerged from participant reporting of the value of the exercise were: increased awareness of career and training options, improved understanding of the research required to make informed career/life decisions, and new awareness of specific information about career options under consideration.ConclusionThe Future Life Map exercise was successful in improving participant awareness of career options, career planning ability, and helped participants to feel more empowered. This is likely of particular benefit for improving participation and retention of under-represented minority students pursuing careers in STEM.
Highlights
Despite considerable efforts to improve diversity in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) degree programs and careers, there has long been, and remains significant underrepresentation of minorities, black and latinx, in the field of STEM [1, 2]
The Future Life Map exercise was successful in improving participant awareness of career options, career planning ability, and helped participants to feel more empowered
This is likely of particular benefit for improving participation and retention of under-represented minority students pursuing careers in STEM
Summary
Despite considerable efforts to improve diversity in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) degree programs and careers, there has long been, and remains significant underrepresentation of minorities, black and latinx, in the field of STEM [1, 2]. Many programs have been created to correct this under-representation, largely through the recruitment of under-represented minority (URM) students to STEM fields These recruitment efforts have focused on early exposure to STEM research and other experiences, funding to address resource gaps that disproportionately affect URMs, and mentorship programs [3– 5]. Study of these programs has highlighted elements that are associated with improved success in recruitment and retention of URMs in STEM. These elements include: focus on improving self-efficacy, matching fields of study with URM student and scientist values, and strong mentorship. It was with these important elements in mind that we designed and implemented the “Future Life Map” activity to be used as a tool for improving URM recruitment to and retention in STEM fields
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
