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The Effect of STEM Research Experiences on Fields of Interest and Career Paths

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Abstract

There are studies that examine the impact of undergraduate research experiences on students, often concluding that there are benefits to such experiences. Using social career cognitive theory, our research aims to add to the literature by examining the long-term effects, including career path and inclusion in research field, of an undergraduate student research program. This research study used student testimony gathered through interviews to examine the influence of participation in an undergraduate STEM research experience for college first-year students that has been in place at the university for 10 years. Our main finding is that the influence of the experience on students’ field of interest and future career aspirations solidified or changed the career paths of 19 out of 20 students, further corroborating the previous research about undergraduate research experiences as high-impact practices.

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Data Availability

The de-identified data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, MS, upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the undergraduate researchers and faculty who worked with them on the methods and collection of data. Finally, the authors sincerely thank the 85 participating faculty mentors and 259 undergraduate researchers who have helped to make this program successful.

Funding

The research discussed here is supported by the National Science Foundation under grant number NSF DUE no. 1726889. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Oklahoma, 601 Elm Ave., Norman, OK, USA

    Emma Hillermann & Miloš Savić

  2. Trudeau Institute, Saranac Lake, NY, USA

    Rama Kothapalli

Authors
  1. Emma Hillermann
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  2. Miloš Savić
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  3. Rama Kothapalli
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Miloš Savić.

Appendix

Appendix

  1. 1.

    Can you describe your experience the FYRE program?

    1. a.

      How long was your FYRE experience?

    2. b.

      How did you start in the program? What motivated you?

    3. c.

      How do you think you’ve changed over the course of your experience? Can you give me one instance of your growth?

    4. d.

      What was your mindset when you started FYRE? How has it changed? Can you give me any examples of pivotal moments?

  2. 2.

    What are you aiming to do in your career?

    1. a.

      How has FYRE helped with that trajectory?

      1. i.

        Any examples?

    2. b.

      Do you feel more or less confident about achieving those career goals, and if so, why?

  3. 3.

    How has your FYRE participation influenced your STEM courses?

    1. a.

      Has it changed how you approach them? In what ways?

    2. b.

      Do you feel more or less confident in approaching STEM courses now?

  4. 4.

    Can you give me a description of the interaction with your research mentors? Advisor?

    1. a.

      How have they influenced your STEM identity? Examples?

      1. i.

        Confidence, achievement, goals?

  5. 5.

    What have been your interactions with people in the FYRE program? Outside of the program?

    1. a.

      Have they helped you change as a STEM person?

  6. 6.

    How has your participation in the FYRE program been impacted after COVID-19?

    1. a.

      Who have you interacted with from the FYRE program?

    2. b.

      Any examples of how your interactions have influenced you during this process?

    3. c.

      How has your perception of the FYRE program changed?

  7. 7.

    What is your race/gender/ethnicity?

    1. a.

      Were there any examples where either of those identities played a part in your FYRE experience? How?

  8. 8.

    Is there anything else you would like to share about your experiences?

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Hillermann, E., Savić, M. & Kothapalli, R. The Effect of STEM Research Experiences on Fields of Interest and Career Paths. Int J of Sci and Math Educ 22, 1107–1126 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-023-10409-3

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