The New Career Connections Program in Data Science
By: Rebecca Andersen
Tags: Ischoolcareer, Ischooldiversity, Mentorship, Data Science, Uc Berkeley

The New Career Connections Program in Data Science

Helping students find their voice in technology and connect to career pathways.

Career Connections is a new year-long co-curricular program funded by a CACSSF grant and open by application to full-time Berkeley data science students. The program will include career development opportunities such as mentorship, virtual company visits, and workshops ranging from storytelling to interviewing.

I School faculty & alumni share their expertise with UC Berkeley undergraduates

Each of our students has the power to change the world. The “Career Connections” program helps students communicate the wealth of strengths they each bring to UC Berkeley and explore relevant career pathways.

Why is this program necessary?

Data science is rooted in both technology and humanity and engages with fundamental issues of social justice. It is critical that the data science discipline be inclusive of all voices, particularly those that are historically underrepresented.

In the last five years, there has been an increased focus on diversifying the tech industry — but there is still far to go. Since 2014, the share of US technical employees (including data scientists) who are Black or Latinx rose by less than a percentage point. And while 26% of the computing workforce were women in 2019, only 3% were Black women, 2% Hispanic, and 7% Asian. There is a documented leaky pipeline nationwide that pushes individuals away from STEM careers.

What is the goal of Career Connections?

The Career Connections program aims to help underrepresented students build career development skills and co-create belonging in the data science industry. The goal is to positively affect career persistence by fostering self-confidence in career development (career efficacy) and a sense of belonging in data science (science identity), both of which have been shown to be predictors in career commitment.

This program uses a strengths-based approach to support our under-represented and community-oriented data science students. Deficit thinking takes the position that minority students must be ‘filled up’ with the forms of cultural knowledge deemed valuable by the dominant society (Yosso, 2006). This program comes with the belief that our students already have valuable cultural wealth. We do not need to mold our students in a typical science identity, but rather we will help them unlock their own power and find their voice in technology.

What exactly is Career Connections?

Career Connections is a year-long cohort-based program, distinct both in its strengths-based and design-thinking approach and with its focus on career development in the data science field. The three pillars for the program are industry connections, career skill-building, and personal exploration. Connections will be facilitated through intentional mentor relationships and industry field trips, where students will hear stories from diverse voices in technology. To build career skills, the program will host an online series with outside experts sharing their experiences and knowledge in areas such as interviewing, owning, and developing your story, networking, and overcoming imposter syndrome. Through interactive workshops, students will engage in the exploration of their personal and community values and potential career pathways, giving students a chance to focus on who they want to be and what that might look like.

Who can participate in Career connections?

All participants will be early-career, full-time students who are passionate about data science and its power to positively impact our communities. Priority admission will be given for underrepresented students as well as students with a strong interest in building/serving communities.

In 2020, Career Connections will run two pilot cohorts of 50–60 full-time graduate and undergraduate data science students. If you are a student interested in applying, please fill out the Career Connections interest form and you will be notified when applications open this fall. If you are a faculty or industry professional interested in lending your expertise or supporting our program, please reach out as well! We also welcome industry sponsors and partners.

Thank you for your interest and support! It is up to each of us to change the face of technology to be more representative of the world we live in.