This round table discussion will focus on ways to inspire diverse talent to become the next generation of innovative leaders through advanced geoscience degrees. While lack of geoscience undergrads has been attributed to different factors, especially to precollege exposure, that same lack of exposure cuts across ethnic and socioeconomic divisions and therefore doesn't completely explain the discrepancy in whites versus minority students earning degrees.

Successful approaches to recruiting a more diverse geoscience undergraduate population focus on the geoscience pipeline. For example, summer research experiences and paired programs with historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been effective.

We would like to build on the best practices and experiences from folks here in the room and continue to develop novel approaches for engaging students in career-relevant experiences in geoscience – as early as possible. Our table will explore the appropriate questions, data sources and experts to consult regarding: student knowledge of career options and learning about opportunities, the role of graduate programs and faculty in informing and guiding students along the path to geoscience occupations. The session will draw on expertise from HBCUs.

• Engage in creating a national conversation about why building career pathways for graduate students is important;
• Explore models for strengthening geoscience bridge programs;
• Discuss recruitment, retention and graduating students into geoscience careers;
• Build a community of people preparing graduates for careers in many geoscience-related professions.

In addition, reports by the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) and Educational Testing Service (ETS), note that pathways for students through graduate school and into 21st century careers are not always evident. The issue of career transparency presented the biggest gap in data.

1) What are some ways to effectively equip graduate schools to work with employers to ensure optimal pathways through graduate school and into careers?

2) How can we increase the knowledge that students (and faculty) have about career pathways and the programs that lead to careers in the 21st century global economy and incorporate that into our recruitment and retention activities?

3) How do we best support the preparation of a highly skilled workforce to pursue careers in these fields?

This session is sponsored by the HBCU working group.