Attracting Diverse Students to Field Experiences Requires Adequate Pay, Flexibility, and Inclusion

Abstract

Access to field experiences can increase participation of diverse groups in the environmental and natural resources (ENR) workforce. Despite a growing interest among the ENR community to attract and retain diverse students, minimal data exist on what factors undergraduate students prioritize when applying for field experiences. Using a nationwide survey of US undergraduate ENR students, we show that attracting most students to field experiences—especially racial or ethnic minority students—will require pay above minimum wage. However, the concurrent landscape of pay in ENR fell short of meeting many students’ pay needs. Aside from pay, ENR students valued training in technical field skills and analytical or research skills, working with their desired study species or taxa, and working near school or family. Additional barriers beyond limited pay included incompatible schedules and noninclusive work environments. Our findings provide important insights for attracting a diverse workforce to this critical stage in career advancement for students in ENR.

Unpaid Work in Marine Science: A Snapshot of the Early-Career Job Market

“…When taken into account the additional psychological (Woolston, 2019(Woolston, , 2020 and financial (Favaro and Hind-Ozan, 2020) strain on early career scientists, the overall pressure on any minority in STEM is alarming. Providing fair wages is crucial to increasing retention of groups underrepresented in the field (Jensen et al, 2021). As an earlycareer scientist, one is often advised to "simply find a second job, " though rarely followed by ideas on how to do so in a strongly biassed job market, remote location, and often unregulated working hours.…”

A set of principles and practical suggestions for equitable fieldwork in biology

“…Examples include training, invitations to join expeditions, inclusive hiring practices, and inclusion in decision-making. Students, including from local communities, can also benefit from financial support, especially if they are undertaking thesis work that might otherwise be financed with personal funds ( 38 ). Involving social scientists in the research process can help identify power imbalances and promote inclusion and equity at all stages of field research.…”

Diversifying the genomic data science research community

“…Visual tools for mapping opportunities by location, topic, and experience level (i.e., undergraduate or graduate) could also be useful. Next-step opportunities offered by research institutions should provide clear information about stipends and flexibility, if possible ( Jensen et al 2021 ). Creating new student-focused symposia, even if small in size, is another straightforward way to engage a broad array of students by building confidence and creating a supportive and engaging experience among peers.…”