More than Research Experience: Building Holistic Professional Identities through Summer Internship Programming

The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) host a number of internships, workshops, and other visitor programs throughout the year. These programs aim to broaden and support the participation of systematically marginalized communities in Earth system science. Every summer, the NCAR|UCAR and Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science (SOARS®) professional development workshop series facilitate weekly sessions, end of summer poster symposium, and research colloquium for graduate and undergraduate interns. These events are designed to build the professional identity of the students and prepare them for success in Earth system science pathways. The workshop topics include leadership training, diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility (DEIA), science communication, CV/resume building, executive functioning skills, basic research skills and ethics, and more. Additionally, these workshops have intertwined interpersonal communication and self-advocacy for students to create the space they need to thrive in taxing STEM environments. By creating a welcoming and inclusive learning environment for students, and providing effective tools to navigate the scientific community, the likelihood of student retention increases in the Earth system science pathways. This presentation will share best practices for creating an inclusive learning environment to broaden participation of systematically marginalized students and share student perspectives on their skill development and sense of belonging while at NCAR|UCAR.