An Integrative Approach to STEM Workforce Preparation in a Biomedical Science Course [Quality Improvement]

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46328/ijonses.653

Keywords:

Broadening participation, Workforce preparation, Individual development planning, Biomedical science

Abstract

Successful retention of STEM majors that then successfully transition into the U.S. STEM workforce is a major challenge for institutions of higher education. The present work represents a quality improvement study of a custom-designed professional development course for undergraduate students characterized by an innovative integration of workforce preparation activities into a STEM content knowledge course. The QI study investigated the student-perceived impact of participation in goal setting and skill assessment utilizing an individual development plan and whether participation in the custom-designed training course increased student proficiency in STEM workforce-relevant skills. Program evaluation data was used to address the professional development needs of undergraduate STEM students, who are members of underrepresented groups in biomedical science. Evaluation data was used to design the professional development course to target and customize structures to support student success planning and goal attainment. Analysis of reported outcomes indicates that most students benefited from participation in the course and experienced a positive impact on their proficiency in workforce relevant skills and goal setting. This integrated approach to workforce preparation in STEM may address some of the persistence and retention challenges that threaten the size and diversity of the future STEM workforce within the U.S.

Author Biography

Verleen K. McSween, University of the Virgin Islands

Verleen McSween PhD. is an Assistant Professor of Biology in the College of Science and Mathematics at the University of the Virgin Islands. She serves as the Director of the Mentoring and Research Infrastructure Component in the Virgin Islands Institute for STEM Education Research and Practice funded by NSF EPSCOR. Her current work focuses on characterization of institutional support structures at HBCUs that facilitate entry of STEM learners into the STEM workforce, and retention of STEM professionals in STEM career fields. She also serves as co- PI on an NIH funded training and workforce development grant, Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (U-RISE).

References

McSween, V.K. (2024). An integrative approach to STEM workforce preparation in a biomedical science course [quality improvement]. International Journal on Social and Education Sciences (IJonSES), 6(2), 174-187. https://doi.org/10.46328/ijonses.653

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Published

2024-04-23

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 2 (2024)

Section

Articles

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