Towards more diverse and inclusive student internships: Overcoming roadblocks and paving a path forward

Research internships are critical for undergraduates to successfully pursue careers in STEM by improving self-efficacy, collaborative skills, and likelihood of graduate study. Yet, many roadblocks exist for underrepresented groups, such as ethnic minorities. Barriers include inequalities in awareness, opportunities, advertisement, and recruitment, particularly at institutions without research programs. Furthermore, inequalities have been accentuated by societal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Integrative Mentorship Program at the Morton Arboretum seeks creative alternatives to bridge this representation gap and engage a more diverse and inclusive community of students, particularly in plant science.