17 Bridging the Gap: Strategies for Preparing Geoscience Students for the Workforce from K-12 to Career

Thursday, 3 April 2025
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
El Dorado

BOOSTING STUDENT CONFIDENCE THROUGH EXPLICIT CAREER PATHWAYS INSTRUCTION IN GEOSCIENCE

Paper number: 17-11
Program: Theme Sessions
Time: 11:05 AM – 11:25 AM

Authors

  • Theron Sowers Presenting Author
    California State University Sacramento, Sacramento, CA

Abstract

With geoscience jobs growing faster than average, explicitly teaching students about career pathways is critical to ensuring they graduate with the confidence and skills needed to succeed in the workforce. This study evaluates the impact of a targeted career pathways workshop that directly addresses gaps in knowledge and self-assurance among geoscience students. Pre- and post-workshop surveys, matched by participant, revealed significant increases in career readiness indicators. Confidence in applying for jobs upon graduation increased by 11%, understanding of job opportunities for recent geology graduates improved by 27%, and self-efficacy of where to find job postings rose by 23%. These results underscore the importance of explicit instruction in equipping students with both the knowledge and confidence necessary to transition into geoscience careers. To support faculty in integrating this approach into their courses, an open-access Canvas module has been developed. This resource provides a scalable, evidence-based framework for bridging the gap between education and workforce readiness, ensuring geoscience students are prepared to meet the demands of a growing field.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 4

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025CD-410285

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