Project Grant 20226703736621

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** SUMMARY: THE NUMBER OF QUALIFIED GRADUATES JOINING THE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS WORKFORCE IS NOT KEEPING PACE WITH THE TALENT NEEDS OF AN INDUSTRY TASKED WITH FEEDING A GROWING POPULATION. THERE IS A PROJECTED SHORTFALL OF 1,300 QUALIFIED GRADUATES ENTERING CRITICAL STEM-RELATED ROLES IN THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY, INCLUDING FOOD SAFETY, SUSTAINABILITY, DATA SCIENCE, AND GOVERNMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL AND NUTRITION POLICY, OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS. NOTICEABLY UNDERREPRESENTED IN THESE ROLES ARE WOMEN AND PERSONS OF COLOR.THE CAREER PATHWAYS INTERNSHIPS IN STEM-BASED AGRICULTURE WORKFORCE PROGRAM (CAREER PATHWAYS) OFFERS EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING EXTENSION OPPORTUNITIES, BEYOND THE TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM, TO CREATE A PATHWAY FROM COLLEGIATE TO PROFESSIONAL CAREERS FOR WOMEN AND PEOPLE OF COLOR. THE 10-WEEK, PAID INTERNSHIPS PROVIDE PROJECT-BASED LEARNING FOR JUNIORS AND SENIORS FROM UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE U.S. AND PROMOTE DIRECT INTERACTION WITH INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS, WHO SERVE AS MENTORS TOTHESE ASPIRING UNDERGRADUATES.THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVES OF THE CAREER PATHWAYS PROGRAM ARE TO ENGAGE WOMEN AND PERSONS OF COLOR IN IMMERSIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES IN WHICH STUDENTS 1) WORK COLLABORATIVELY, APPLYING THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS, TO COMPLETE REAL-WORLD PROJECTS; 2) BUILD TECHNICAL AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES; 3) GET A UNIQUE FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE OF THE INDUSTRY AND THE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN IT; 4) DEVELOP A SENSE OF BELONGING AND BUILD A PROFESSIONAL NETWORK TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT STUDENTS' PERSISTENCE AND PURSUIT OF CAREERS IN AGRICULTURE.