A Focus on the Geoscience (and STEM) Professions

A key to increasing participation of students from underrepresented groups in the geosciences is a greater public awareness of what the geosciences are, why they are important, contributions made to society, and potential career pathways. The geoscience professional societies play a major role in promotion and marketing, of the geosciences to the public. Members of the geoscience professions are encouraged to contribute to and utilize these resources to promote participation of underrepresented groups in their own work situations. In addition, the geoscience professions need to reach out to allied professional societies that encourage participation of students from underrepresented groups in STEM, to increase recruitment and participation in the geosciences. This really is a profession-wide responsibility to look for opportunities, collectively and personally, to increase diversity in the geosciences. We all have something to offer, we all have a lot to gain! Here are some resources to help geoscience professionals to engage these diversity issues.

Geoscience Professional Society Programs and Diversity

Useful programs and resources from geoscience professional societies include:

• Geological Society of America position statement on Expanding and Improving Geoscience in Higher Education.
• American Geosciences Institute's Geosciences Currents has a wealth of information about diversity and workforce:
• AGI Workforce Program--includes a wealth of information about career paths, profiles of professional geoscientists, workforce data, and other professional development resources.
• Challenges Recent Graduates Overcame to Complete Degree
• Underrepresented Minority Participation in the Geosciences at the Two-year College Level
• AGI Currents Documents on Diversity--7 reports on demographic data regarding the geoscience workforce.
• American Geophysical Union (AGU) Diversity Programs; AGU Bright Stars Program for middle and high school students participating in after-school and summer research experiences in the Earth and space sciences.
• AGU's Talent Pool Programs Can Help Students With Next Career Steps
• Marketing Earth Science Education -- Snieder, R., and C. Spiers, Eos Trans. AGU, 8312, 131, 2002

Professional Societies that Support Students From Underrepresented Groups in STEM

• Institute for Broadening Participation
• Pathways to Science -- Use this website to find programs such as undergraduate summer research opportunities, graduate fellowships, postdoctoral positions, as well as resources and materials pertaining to recruitment, retention, and mentoring.
• SACNAS -- Society for Advancing Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science
• National Association of Black Geologists