CLIMATE SCIENCE AND SOLUTIONS:
UPDATE ON THE NATIONAL SCIENCE
FOUNDATION SCIENCE MASTER’S
PROGRAM
NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY
November 15, 2013
Climate Science & Solutions
Professional Science Master’s
PRESENTATION OVERVIEW
•Origins of the Program and Support from the National Science
Foundation
•Learning Objectives
•Funding the Program
•Growing Career and Professional Development – Career Coordinator
•Developing Partnerships with Potential Employers
•Partnerships to Support Career and Professional Development
•The Future of the Climate Science and Solutions Program
Climate Science & Solutions
Professional Science Master’s
ORIGINS OF THE PROGRAM
• In 2009, the National Science Foundation (NSF) solicited proposals to facilitate the
creation of Science Master's Programs (SMPs) under the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
• They defined Science Master's Program as “a science, technology, engineering and
mathematics (STEM) based graduate education curriculum broadened with education
that provides additional skills, such as through specially tailored courses in business
and management, research experiences, and internship experiences, that prepare
students to work in business, industry, government agencies, or nonprofit
organizations”.
• An opportunity:
– NAU strengths in Forestry and Environmental Sciences and commitment to
sustainability
– Contacts with industry and NGOs to develop internships, provide direction, and
build professional networks
– Institutional support and support from faculty in multiple STEM disciplines
– Workforce survey showed need and demand
Climate Science & Solutions
Professional Science Master’s
CLIMATE SCIENCE AND SOLUTIONS
PROGRAM LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• Understand and explain the physical nature of global climate change;
• Apply national and international standards to conduct professional
entity-level and or project-based greenhouse gas inventories;
• Evaluate the social and economic externalities of climate change;
• Describe the ethical, scientific, and policy strengths and weaknesses
of current and proposed mitigation and adaptation strategies; and
• Identify, analyze, synthesize, and communicate scientific information
and uncertainties for public and professional audiences.
Climate Science & Solutions
Professional Science Master’s
INVESTMENT IN CLIMATE SCIENCE AND
SOLUTIONS PROGRAM
•NSF investment was essential
•NSF award leveraged $250K
from university administration
•New faculty line
•Some scholarship support
(tuition waivers) from the
university
•Revenue Sources
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Professional Science Master’s
PROFESSIONAL AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT FOR
CLIMATE SCIENCE & SOLUTIONS
Business
Competencies
Non-Profit
Competencies
Governmental
Competencies
Goal: To integrate applied,
professional skills within the MS
program to provide a seamless
PSM program with integrated
science and professional learning
objectives and competencies.
Objective: To successfully place
PSM graduates in Climate
Careers
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Professional Science Master’s
SELF FUNDED (PROGRAM FEE) CAREER
COORDINATOR POSITION
•Fee applied over three semesters
•Provides funding for part time career coordinator (24 hours week) &
student need-based stipend
•Half the cost of MBA program fee, and still keeps the total program
cost below many similar programs
•Allowed new expertise outside of academic training that is industry
specific
•Maximizes and leverages resources within the University (career
services, graduate college workshops, financial aid, etc.)
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Professional Science Master’s
CAREER COORDINATOR – BENEFIT TO STUDENTS
Oversees six credits of professional development
curriculum including the three unit internship. (1;1;3;1)
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Professional Internship
Direct industry interactions (one to two each
semester including a hiring panel)
How they contribute to effective teams (personality,
learning style profile)
How to research and apply successfully for jobs
How to build their professional network
Mock interviews
How to contract and manage professional projects
How to develop a plan for their career , build their
career portfolio
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Professional Science Master’s
CAREER COORDINATOR – BENEFIT TO THE
UNIVERSITY
•Outreach to Business to Learn about
Their Needs, Explore Opportunities for
Internships, Jobs, Speaking to the Class
•Outreach to Graduates to Assist them
in the Job Search Process and Connect
Them to Students in the Program
•Outreach to Prospective Students to
Demonstrate the Value of the Program by
Connecting Interested Students to
Graduates, Current Students, Faculty
and the Advisory Board
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Professional Science Master’s
CAREER COORDINATOR AND GROWING YOUR
ADVISORY BOARD
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One on One Engagement:
Hosting Students, Speaking to
Class outside of Meetings,
Informational Interviews with
Students, Introductions to
Strategic Partners, Understanding
their Industry
Clarify the Level of Commitment
Recruit New Members
Engage through Social Media
Foster Direct Connections to
Students
Clarify the Competencies in the
“sweet spot” for the industry
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Professional Science Master’s
DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS WITH UNDERGRADUATE
PROGRAMS
Outreach to 75 undergraduate science
programs in the Western Regional
Graduate Program network via email
and personal follow-up.
Building relationships to market the
program to potential students that would
qualify for in-state tuition rates.
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Professional Science Master’s
DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS WITH POTENTIAL
EMPLOYERS
Find Employers that are looking to grow their Workforce and Make
them Aware of Baby Boomer Trends and Retirement.
• How many of their workforce already qualify for retirement?
• What workforce development programs do they have in place?
• What do they need from graduate students with science
backgrounds?
• What are their policies and programs for internships?
If workforce is not on their mind – understand what is and what it
means for future graduates.
Climate Science & Solutions
Professional Science Master’s
WHAT EMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING FOR FROM
STUDENTS
A study of their hiring priorities this year by the Association of
American Colleges and Universities revealed that 75% of hiring
managers say they need professionals who are proficient in five key
areas:
•Critical thinking
•Complex problem solving
•Written communication
•Oral communication
•Applied knowledge in real-world settings
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Professional Science Master’s
DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS TO PROVIDE CAREER
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
Gateway Career Development –Tools and Alumni – Eager to mentor current students,
support for resumes, interviews, job
make professional introductions and advise
identification and job search strategies.
the program on skills they use as
professionals
Graduate College – NAU leadership from
the graduate college in areas of leadership Faculty – Want to see their students
and professional development.
successfully employed and are often eager
to have real world speakers or presentations
Industry Panels and Presentations –
as part of their coursework
Industry specific speakers and panels to
show what matters to the industry and helps Administrators –Support for professional
conferences, associations and stipends.
students build their network.
Career Development Associations &
Training Programs
Community One Stop and Service
Centers – Support with finding local
employment, provide another perspective to
resumes and application materials
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Professional Science Master’s
CAREER COORDINATOR COMPETENCIES
• Match Making – help students to improve their marketing
materials, their personal presence and identify the right fit with a
potential employer. Help them build their professional network
• Partnerships and Collaboration – develop internal and external
strategic partnerships that are mutually beneficial and galvanizes
allies throughout the university from the president’s office to
alumni, faculty, administration, graduate college, professional
development associations, etc.
• Entrepreneurial Sense – work with the board to build the value
proposition of your program, identify and market to your target
audience, generate non-traditional funding support
Climate Science & Solutions
Professional Science Master’s
NEXT STEPS: ENGAGING ALUMNI IN DEVELOPING
CAREER SERVICES
“The Climate Science and
Solutions program has given
me a unique suite of tools,
enabling me to serve as an
interface between the science
community and the business
sector. My goal is to apply a
science-based approach to
the major standards and
initiatives driving water
management in the private
sector.”
Annikki Chamberlain,
CSS Graduate 2011
Climate Science & Solutions
Professional Science Master’s
FUTURE OF THE CLIMATE SCIENCE AND SOLUTIONS
PROGRAM
•Continuing to engage the climate
industry of all sectors in applied
learning
•Developing tracks within the program
for students to specialize in areas of
strength to NAU – specifically
renewable energy & forest carbon
offsets
•Expanded marketing to students
that see the return on investment for
PSM Programs
Climate Science & Solutions
Professional Science Master’s
FUTURE OF THE CLIMATE SCIENCE AND SOLUTIONS
PROGRAM
•Fundraising for student stipends and support to attend industry
conferences, etc.
•Integration of the professional development skills such as
project management and communications into existing coursework
•Fully engaging alumni with the Advisory Board and current
students and outreach to alumni to use the career development
services and support
•Developing career pathways for students in each sector (business,
non profit and government) to understand the experience and
competencies they are looking for
Climate Science & Solutions
Professional Science Master’s
IN SUMMARY
•NSF Funding made it possible to develop an interdisciplinary
program focused on the needs of business
•The academic system can benefit from a non-academic perspective
to preparing PSM students for future careers (hire from industry or
people who are used to working with them!)
•Some programs can be very broad and need to focus on
intersection of the needs of employers and the strengths of their
academic institution
•Help students market their value and what they can bring to an
employer (meaning they should know something about the
employers business before the interview)
•Build internal and external strategic partnerships!
Climate Science & Solutions
Professional Science Master’s
THANK YOU
Sheila Tobias
- support for PSM programs and my involvement in
the larger PSM conversation
Ramona Mellot
- terrific mentor and guide to the world of academia
Climate Science & Solutions
Professional Science Master’s