Recruitment Issues

• Diversity – major issue with recruitment of minorities• Why? – the image of geoscientists as ‘field-based’ is not attractive to all

cultural groups. Need more emphasis on promotion of technical/professional aspects of the discipline. PR targeted to specific groups. Talk one-on-one to minority students about issues related to ‘not becoming’ geoscience majors

• Start early! – junior and high schools• Most African-Americans in urban centres – have to recognize this

background and characteristics that would attract students into geoscience.

• One-student-at-a-time approach – most effective when students are used as recruiters.

• Recognition that many groups do not want to have mobility, want to stay local.

• Reward structure – to enhance diversity• Female recruitment – undergraduate enrolments good, graduate OK,

faculty still underrepresented in places• Need broad searches for positions, target women

Recruitment Issues

Internal Recruitment• Career opportunities need to be identified

and promoted in level I courses• Use of case studies/applications to appeal to

wider audience• Cross-listing of courses with other disciplines

(e.g. Chemical Society of America – recognition of Geochemistry courses for professional certification?)

• Undergraduate counseling extremely important: Co-ordination of material/resources within the department for recruitment and distribution

Recruitment Issues

• Working with high schools/guidance counselors

• Creation of material for distribution – paper advertising, careers fairs, website, open houses.

• Students giving talks in high schools – program recruitment and promotion of geosciences – students paid, other recognition? (transcript notation?)

• First generation college-goers – professional programs favoured

• Interacting with existing structures/programs in schools/professions, scholarship programs

• Entrance to AP envir science community

Examples?