GEOPATHWAYS - A UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA – PIMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE PARTNERSHIP AND INTERNSHIP PROGRAM FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS: YEAR 2

GeoPathways is an NSF-IUSE supported collaboration between the University of Arizona (UA) and Pima Community College (PCC). The program recruits PCC students for UA’s Geosciences major, enrolls PCC and other 2YC transfer students in workshops on professional skills, and provides paid ($5K) summer internships with Tucson-area earth-science businesses and agencies.

Now in its second year, nine (six female; three male) incoming 2YC transfers (about half the entering transfer students) joined the GeoPathways program. This year’s cohort includes three military veterans. Students prepared and offered four activities in PCC geology classes. GeoPathways led two day-long field trips for PCC students and adjunct faculty: one to Colossal Cave, the other to Biosphere 2, a large environmental research facility north of Tucson.

GeoPathways students practiced interview skills and prepared job letters, resumes and personal statements for prospective employers. Twelve internships were offered by area businesses and agencies; we could supply only nine students. Matchmaking ensured that students got either their first or second choice. Internships include mapping earth fissures with the Arizona Geological Survey, excavating and preparing fossils with GeoDecor, mine mapping and sampling with Western Mesquite Mines, surveying groundwater with MetroWater, mapping springs with Saguaro National Park, collecting and analyzing groundwater data with Montgomery and Associates, georeferencing historic aerial photos with J.W. Fuller and measuring rock properties and site surveys with Zonge International. Projects include office work, lab analyses, field mapping, or some combination. Presenting students will describe their experiences.