1. GOALS IUSE-GEOPATHS goals are to increase the number and diversity of students completing geoscience (Geology, Environmental Science) majors and entering graduate school or geoscience employment. The GEOPATHS RFP discussed focusing on a single obstacle to these goals, but we chose a holistic approach in order to address the multiple obstacles that our urban students face throughout their undergraduate careers. Many of these problems identified by AGI surveys of successful Geoscience graduates are exacerbated by our student backgrounds and financial status  Nearly all our students commute to campus daily  Most are financially challenged and must work 20-40+ hours/week to support themselves and their families and pay for tuition.  Most live in Queens, the most ethnically diverse county in the US.  Approximately half speak a language other than English at home  Few have had contact with a Geoscience professional and are unaware of the range of career opportunities.  A large percentage are the first in their families to attend college and lack the home support needed to navigate American academia 8 ½ x 11 FRESHMAN YEAR TO GEOSCIENCE CAREER: IUSE-GEOPATHS RECRUITMENT AND SURVIVAL STRATEGIES FOR CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK UNDERGRADUATE GEOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE MAJORS Allan Ludman, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Queens College ; Holly Porter-Morgan, Department of Natural Sciences, LaGuardia Community College ; Monica Trujillo, Department of Biological Sciences and Geology, Queensborough Community College [Three CUNY colleges in Queens County ]  Create a Geoscience Community spanning our three campuses  Academic interactions through colloquia, tri-campus Geoscience Research symposia and poster sessions  Social interactions through ceremonies welcoming new majors; field trips; guest speakers; employment “fairs”  Research interactions among faculty and students with similar environmental/geological interests/projects LaGuardia and Queensborough students have the opportunity to interact with QC faculty before transferring. LaGuardia and Queensborough students have the opportunity to interact with QC faculty before transferring.  Implement service learning opportunities to keep students on campus and immerse them in their majors including serving as:  assistant T.A.s in introductory Geology and Environmental Science laboratory sections  tutors for introductory courses  research assistants for faculty and graduate students. 3. Intensified student engagement through multi-campus academic and social immersion in Geosciences  Send geoscience career information to feeder HS guidance counselors and families of accepted freshmen at all three campuses.  Prepare brochures in most commonly spoken languages (English; Spanish; Chinese; Russian; Russian; Bengali; Hindi)  Highlight career options in New York City metropolitan area (Many immigrant families mistakenly believe that geoscience careers would break up their families by requiring their children to leave home for the west and southwest.)  Queens College faculty participate in major and career fairs at LaGuardia and Queensborough community colleges  Geoscience majors at Queensborough and LaGuardia community colleges tour Queens College research labs and get to interact with QC research faculty and students. 1.Coordinated recruiting  Major advisers at our three campuses are currently preparing a Geoscience major handbook for both Associates and Bachelors degrees that will also provide tips for a seamless transfer to Queens College.  Peer advisers assist faculty at Queensborough and LaGuardia community colleges.  Successful Queens College Geoscience major who transferred from LaGuardia or Queensborough assists Environmental Science and Geology advisers and serves as peer adviser/mentor for new transfer students.  Queensborough and LaGuardia students are advised about Geoscience careers that require a Bachelors (or Masters). degree and informed about Queens College Geoscience major requirements when they declare their Associate Degree major. 2. Enhanced, coordinated advising at all 3 campuses  Career planning advice in collaboration with QC Career Guidance Office, QCC and LGA advisers  Freshman year o Explain the process for finding a good job or graduate program – especially the timeline and when to begin. o Ways to make your transcript and resume competitive. Build them from day 1!!  Sophomore year: Graduate school or employment? o searching for the right job or graduate school o Alumni career talks and video interview library  Junior year: Get ready to apply o Writing résumés, personal goals, etc. o The dos and don’ts of applying for a job or graduate school  Senior year: interview skills 4. Scaffolded career counseling: freshman year to graduation  We are used to diverse backgrounds and needs: our students live in the most ethnically diverse county in the nation  All CUNY students have the same general education requirements  Our campuses have had successful Environmental Science and Geology articulation agreements in for many years  Queens College Geoscience faculty have had extensive experience with transfer students from LaGuardia and Queensborough as these are our largest feeder schools.  Several of our faculty have similar research interests and have collaborated on projects with their students  Campuses are linked by excellent public transportation %OBSTACLECOMMENT 27 Financial issues and time management Balancing work and school 25 Difficulties with individual course(s) Typically calculus, chemistry, physics 15 Personal issues Family responsibilities 7 Course availability Course rotation; individual out-of- class responsibilities LEAKS IN THE GEOSCIENCE CAREER PIPELINE PLUGGING THE LEAKS FRESHMAN YEAR TO GEOSCIENCE CAREER INTERVENTIONS STUDENT PROFILE STUDENT PROFILE WE DO HAVE SOME ADVANTAGES 2015 QC,QCC, LAG fact books