Journal Article

213 Undergraduate Minor in Research Ecosystems: An intra-institutional strategy for career entry

Helm, Shirley, Cathers, Lauretta

2026

Overview

Objectives/Goals: The research industry continues to struggle with workforce instability: an aging workforce, staff shortages/burnout, retention/turbulence issues, and attracting qualified staff. We describe an intra-institutional approach at Virginia Commonwealth University to prepare undergraduates for entry-level positions across the research landscape. Methods/Study Population: To address research workforce expansion and job readiness within the institution, the VCU Student Pathways Collaborative was established as an inter-professional collaboration among key research business units. This collaborative effort resulted in the development of the Minor in Research Ecosystems, an academic intervention specifically designed to cultivate qualified entry-level personnel. Consisting of 18 credits, the minor is comprised of four core courses focusing on the competencies in job descriptions for various research ecosystem positions, one elective within the student’s chosen research domain, and culminating in an internship experience. The minor is designed to be accessible for all majors fostering diversity, inclusivity, and specialized content knowledge and skill sets. Results/Anticipated Results: The minor, launched in fall 2025, is designed to prepare students for careers that sustain and accelerate the research enterprise. A core goal is bringing awareness to the vast and varied career paths that research has to offer – paths many students reported they simply did not know existed. In the near future, the minor is expected to support institutional workforce needs, leading to a sustainable, qualified, and skilled workforce by specifically preparing students for the diverse research professional roles that they previously did not know existed. Additionally, early outreach to undergraduate advisors, faculty, and student organizations has revealed significant demand for pathways into research professional careers, a demand that is driving high enrollment projections. Discussion/Significance of Impact: The undergraduate Minor in Research Ecosystems is designed to meet the growing demand for a workforce capable of navigating the complex and interdisciplinary research landscape. By equipping students with critical knowledge and practical skills, the program ensures graduates are prepared to immediately serve as effective research team members.

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Subject: Collaboration / Ecosystems / Education, Career Development, and Workforce Development / Population studies / Students / Workforce