Pathways to STEM Careers
Pathways to STEM Careers is a grant program that enables UH-Clear Lake to develop and enhance support services and strategies to increase student success among low-income students in the College of Science and Engineering. It allows the university to develop model programs for students' successful transfer from two-year Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)* to four-year HSIs in STEM fields of study. UHCL received more than $3.7 million for the program that was distributed from 2016 – 2022. In 2021, UHCL was awarded more than $4 million to be distributed from 2021 – 2026 through its new grant program.
The goal of the HSI STEM program is to:
- Increase program retention rate and number of graduates in STEM fields.
- Develop and model transfer and articulation agreements in STEM fields with area HSI colleges.
- Provide paid opportunities for students to conduct scientific research supervised by UHCL faculty and gain practical on-the-job experience via internships.
- Increase sense of belonging in STEM.
- Establish an endowment to provide scholarships for students in the College of Science and Engineering.
Participation Requirements
Participating in this program provides the opportunity to help your peers and faculty as a peer mentor or research assistant. There are also off-campus internships available. All student employees are required to meet on a consistent basis with the program director and undergraduate retention specialist, and participate in the learning community.
To be eligible to apply for a student-employee position, you must:
- Have attended at least two semesters at UHCL and currently be in good academic standing.
- Have Minimum GPA of 3.00.
- Be currently enrolled at UHCL.
- Be pursuing an undergraduate degree in the College of Science and Engineering, or STEM Education.
- Show evidence of involvement in a student or service organization or volunteer work.
- Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Have the ability to work with a diverse group of students.
- Show strong initiative and commitment.
- Receive or be Pell Grant eligible.
How to Apply
- Download the application.
- Email the application and supplemental documents to psc@uhcl.edu.
- Once received, the PSC staff will review and be in touch with you.
Peer Mentors
Peer mentoring allows you to provide guidance to your peers who are also enrolled in a STEM program. Peer mentors host mentor meetups, attend weekly staff meetings, participate in professional development, and represent PSC at various on-campus events.
The ideal peer mentor will:
- Possess excellent communication and leadership skills.
- Be passionate about helping others.
- Have familiarity with UHCL, with at least one semester of experience as a UHCL student.
- Be creative problem solvers.
Responsibilities include, but aren't limited to:
- Meeting weekly with your supervisor and other mentors.
- Staying in touch with your mentees via face-to-face meetings, email, social media, text messages and/or phone calls.
- Assisting with recruiting and programming events, workshops, and other events.
Research Assistants
Research assistants are selected to work on a wide range of current research projects within a STEM field under the guidance of University of Houston-Clear Lake faculty. They assist in the development and application of knowledge, skills, and dispositions to continue growth and development in their STEM career. The goal of the research assistant is to apply theories acquired in the classroom to real world situations, as well as increase competence and experience necessary to prepare for a successful career in STEM. Students will participate in current or new STEM research projects and have faculty-mentoring and build their skills in research methods. Research assistants are expected to present their work alongside their faculty at the annual UHCL Student Conference, with the opportunity to present at conferences in their field.
Responsibilities include:
- Duties and responsibilities provided by faculty supervisor.
- Submit a summary research experience paper by the end of the semester.
- Present research results as a poster or oral presentation at the UHCL Student Conference for Research and Creative Arts.
Interns
Interns gain professional expertise and opportunities offered by local companies in their field or student teaching opportunities in local schools. The internship position will assist in the development and application of knowledge, skills, and dispositions to continue growth and development in their STEM career. The goal of the internship is to apply theories acquired in the classroom to real world situations, as well as increase competence and experience necessary to prepare for a successful career in STEM.
Responsibilities include:
- Duties and responsibilities assigned by internship supervisor.
- Submit a summary internship experience paper by the end of the semester.
Students have interned at companies like:
- Tietronix
- Qualcomm
- AtLink
- NASA
- VPS
- and more!
*The U.S. Department of Education defines HSI as a higher education institution that has an enrollment of undergraduate full-time equivalent students that is at least 25% Hispanic.