10. Utilizing Science Outreach to Foster Professional Skills Development in University Students

Abstract

Students seek unique experiences to obtain and enhance professional development skills and to prepare for future careers. Through the Let’s Talk Science Partnership Program (LTSPP), a voluntary science outreach program at University of Toronto Scarborough, students are given the opportunity to continually improve on skills which include: the “3 Cs” (creativity, communication, cooperation), and leadership and organization skills through hands-on activities in classrooms and community centres across the city and in isolated rural communities. Volunteers serve as mentors, and frequently transfer knowledge related to their research and coursework to youth. Here, we present results from surveys on current and past volunteers (2004-2010). Volunteers were asked to evaluate the value of the skills they obtained through science outreach, and the relevance of those skills to obtaining current work and achieving long-term career goals. Respondents commented on the effectiveness of the skills they obtained and ranked the transferable skills. We show that volunteer work through LTSPP largely improves their communication and confidence skills. As well, students identified clear links between science outreach and professional goals, and highly recommended LTSPP to others.