Photo caption: Alex Etheridge, Aurora Villa Juan, Rayna Hutton, and Roxana Laureano at the SACNAS Conference (Source: Alex Etheridge)
The collaborative relationship between PSU and USGS has created valuable academic and professional growth opportunities for many PSU students. For example, the UPP partners with PSU’s LSAMP program annually to match BIPOC students with a nine-month internship at USGS where they learn about field work, collect and analyze data, and share their results in a professional setting.
This fall, the UPP worked with LSAMP, and national USGS staff to provide our LSAMP USGS interns with a unique growth opportunity: the chance to attend the SACNAS NDiSTEM Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. With generous funding from the USGS Youth and Education in Science (YES) office, PSU students Aurora Villa Jean, Rayna Hutton and Roxana Sotelo Laureano attended the nation’s largest multicultural STEM diversity event in late October.
Students’ Experiences at SACNAS
The students built meaningful connections through career fairs, professional panels, dinners with USGS staff, and cultural ceremonies. By the end, they walked away with a clearer vision of what a career in STEM could look like—one that honors and includes their cultural identity.
Aurora’s Experience
For Aurora, whose ancestry traces back to the Purepechas, an Indigenous tribe near Lake Pátzcuaro in Michoacán, Mexico, she appreciated seeing strong Indigenous representation at the conference. She attended a panel about career pathways in government agencies where she learned how Indigenous knowledge and values are integrated into their work–something she hadn’t realized was happening at the federal level. After 1:1 conversations with different agencies and meetings with PhD students, Aurora is now considering earning an advanced degree and is motivated to explore the career options at federal agencies.
Rayna’s Experience
SACNAS was an eye opening experience for Rayna. As her first-ever conference, it provided her with a welcoming space to explore career opportunities while connecting with her indigenous roots. Attending the Indigenous Welcome and Smudge Ceremonies, for example, was a rare opportunity for Rayna to engage in tribal practices in a professional setting. One of the most impactful events was the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility session led by USGS staff, including a tribal liaison. This event introduced her to the possibility of pursuing a similar role that aligns with her studies in Indigenous Nations and geology, as well as her cultural heritage.
Roxana’s Experience
At the career fair, Roxana was excited to discover an internship/PhD program that integrates environmental science and law. With a career in hydrology or geological engineering, she hopes to contribute to policies and laws that tackle environmental justice issues, such as groundwater contamination, in underserved communities. Roxana found the experience invaluable. She learned about various job opportunities, like the USGS Pathways Program, and is motivated to continue researching her options, especially a career that merges her passions for science and social justice.
Gratitude to the Partnership and its Collaborators
This unique opportunity was made possible through the collaborative partnership of the UPP and key individuals. Alex Etheridge, ORWSC Associate Director, accompanied the students to the conference and provided critical behind-the-scenes support before and during the conference. LSAMP Coordinator Patti Cabrera also went above and beyond to ensure the students had accommodations and supported them in balancing their coursework with attending this conference. Special thanks also goes to Youth and Education Programs Manager Eleanour Snow, who provided the funding that brought this opportunity to life.
The UPP will continue to support and prepare students for successful careers in water science and other STEM fields. From connecting students with professional development experiences to making special opportunities like SACNAS happen, the UPP is committed to student success at PSU.