An opportunity for remote professional networking to support undergraduate career goals

Engagement in research as an undergraduate and the availability of mentorship from peers and professionals are effective strategies for improving retention of students in STEM fields. Undergraduates in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at the University of Colorado Boulder enroll in one of two large introductory course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) as a requirement of the degree. However, more diverse efforts toward formally supporting students seeking to refine their career goals is needed. We designed a networking-based workshop series aimed at providing access to the current and former students who have been recently successful in achieving relevant educational and career goals. This 5-week series focused on (1) how to convert a resume to a curriculum vitae, (2) careers that are accessible with a bachelor's degree in the life sciences, (3) types of research opportunities as an undergraduate and as a post-graduate, (4) the application process and strategies for successful candidacy in medical school applications, and (5) PhD programs and approaches to producing a competitive application. The workshop connected 52 undergraduates with mentors; the majority of participants requested contact information for continued mentoring. Here, we describe the structure of this remote workshop series and highlight results that emphasized the need for such support that may extend beyond pandemic times.