USING DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION (DEI) BY DESIGN FOR AN ONLINE CAREERS MODULE TO RECRUIT UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS INTO THE GEOSCIENCE WORKFORCE

The exclusion of people with marginalized identities creates an unwelcoming culture in the geosciences and presents additional barriers to their success, driving qualified students away from the profession. Additionally, formal learning spaces seldom incorporate information about geoscience careers and how occupations can integrate important aspects of one’s identity.

To address these challenges, we developed an asynchronous online “Careers Module” to increase representation of marginalized geoscientists while introducing students to geophysics concepts and applications early in their undergraduate education. The module frames geoscience and geophysics concepts by their impacts on society, highlights diverse role models in professions, and illustrates how different social identities could connect to specific career pathways. The module features videos that use inclusive language and diverse representation, skill-building activities such as active bystander intervention techniques, and discussion forums about DEI topics. The forums allow learners to practice addressing topics such as impostor syndrome and microaggressions.

We piloted the module with 10 students to ensure DEI topics were incorporated appropriately and to gauge the effectiveness of the content on our learning outcomes. We used are using pre- and post-surveys, and discussion forum responses to evaluate the module. Data show discussion forums engage students to think critically about how their experiences relate to the geosciences and help students practice active bystander intervention skills. As a result, 2-3 non-geoscience majors have cited increased interest in the discipline and are considering pursuing a major or minor in the future.

The module is available to the geoscience community through AGI’s Geoscience Online Learning Initiative. It is a free resource funded by the National Science Foundation designed to supplement introductory-level geoscience courses to motivate non-majors to consider a geoscience degree and profession. Faculty who use the module with their existing curriculum will be given access to supplementary resources to help facilitate discussions about geophysics, geoscience careers, and the role that DEI plays in our discipline.