The Department of Biochemistry joined the Bridge Experience Program to improve student preparedness and to more effectively support a successful career launch for students upon graduation. Recognizing the diverse career aspirations of their students, the department sought to build on existing strengths in undergraduate research and develop more comprehensive experiential learning opportunities that align with individual student’s career goals.

Early in the planning process, biochemistry developed student personas capturing common pathways that students take in the major. When asked about the approach to creating student personas, Anne Brown, assistant professor in the University Libraries and affiliate faculty in biochemistry, explained that they undertook a thorough process involving survey data, discussions with students and advisors, and analysis of graduating students' exit surveys and enrollment data. The team considered factors such as student trends, common experiential learning types, career aspirations, and outcomes using labor market data. They engaged with current, past, and prospective biochemistry students to understand their academic and professional career plans, including any changes, barriers, and refinements throughout their undergraduate journey. This information was assimilated into student personas, with a focus on understanding how each persona would interact with the relevant courses in preparation for an intended career. The department aimed to identify common inflection points for each persona and determine when touchpoints could be added to prepare students for bridge experiences. The resulting curriculum map is shown below.

Curriculum map for how different student personas progress through the biochemistry degree to complete bridge experiences. Courses include BCHM 1014 Biochemistry First Year Experience, BCHM 1024 Introductory Experience in Biochemical Research Skills, and BCHM 4074 Career Orientation. A, B, and C represent different routes that student personas might pursue. Image provided by Anne Brown.

Curriculum map for how different student personas progress through the biochemistry degree to complete bridge experiences. Image provided by Anne Brown.
Curriculum map for how different student personas progress through the biochemistry degree to complete bridge experiences. Courses include BCHM 1014 Biochemistry First Year Experience, BCHM 1024 Introductory Experience in Biochemical Research Skills, and BCHM 4074 Career Orientation. A, B, and C represent different routes that student personas might pursue. Image provided by Anne Brown.

Biochemistry students will be informed about bridge experiences during their First-Year Experience course. From there, students will pursue options matched to their individual needs. Some will find bridge experiences independently. Others wanting to develop additional research skills will take Introductory Experience in Biochemical Research Skills during their second semester. Students wishing to explore careers in biochemistry and to gain experience with applications and interviews process will gravitate to the Career Orientation course. Throughout the student journey, academic advising is critical to nudge students down the best path and to ensure students are on track.

The department highlighted the positive influence the personas exerted on their planning for bridge experiences. By aligning student personas and bridge experiences, the department created a curriculum map that maximized benefits for students without requiring additional resources or courses. The personas informed the tailoring of experiences to better suit individual students' needs and goals. Multiple onboarding points were created within the curriculum to accommodate the readiness of different personas to complete the bridge experience requirements. The personas were also valuable for comprehensive discussions on the student impact of the program. The department will continue to refine the personas over time as they continue planning and implementation for bridge experiences.

How students benefit

Through these efforts, biochemistry aims to empower students to participate in bridge experiences seamlessly. By integrating coursework and establishing stronger collaborations with other departments, they strive to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and networks necessary for their chosen career paths. By integrating relevant information into existing courses, Biochemistry has established multiple touchpoints that offer students the flexibility to select the courses that best meet their career preparation needs without increasing time to completion of their degree. Consequently, future biochemistry students will be better prepared for long-term success in their unique career trajectories.

Why bridge experiences

The department's commitment to enhancing student preparedness ensures that students can confidently navigate their future endeavors, building a solid foundation for success in the field of biochemistry and related disciplines. Amy Rasor, academic and student support advisor in Biochemistry said “Experiential learning opportunities are, quite simply, game-changers for Biochemistry undergraduates.  As an academic advisor, I've heard countless stories from students where participation in an internship, research experience, or study abroad experience has awakened a passion in an area they might never have considered.  Any time we can get a student one step closer to knowing - based on firsthand experience - what they'd like to pursue after graduation, we count this as a win.”

Written by Nidhi Chopdekar and Heather Bradford.