Developing Career Self Efficacy through Biotechnology Practicum Projects Meaghan Nappo and Paul Hamilton

Department of Plant and Microbial Biology

Abstract North Carolina State University’s Master of Microbial Biotechnology employs the experiential learning theory to enhance student experience and foster career efficacy upon graduation. In MB 585: Industry Case Studies in Microbial Biotechnology, taken during their first three semesters, students explore their career options while in school through guest speakers, written assignments, soft skill development, and a team-based practicum project. In particular, the practicum project requirement completed each semester allows students to collaborate with three different biotechnology companies over 12-week long projects developed by the company each semester. This experiential learning opportunity develops students’ career self-efficacy by allowing them to better understand the biotechnology industry, network with industry professionals, gain on the job training, practice teamwork, and strengthen written and oral skills. Each semester, students learn by doing, and reflect on their experiences to gain a better understanding of what they want out of a career, and also what they do not.

Lecture Based Learning1 Experiential Learning Fostering Career Self Efficacy

MMB and Experiential Learning MMB Program Goal: To offer experiential learning opportunities, both in the classroom and through field-based industry exposure, that prepare students to develop key skills necessary to secure jobs and experience success in their respective careers.

Capstone Project

All MMB students complete a capstone project their last semester • Introduce concepts and skill

development for the following topics

Idea generation, Technology Evaluation, Regulatory Affairs Intellectual Property, Finance,

Business strategies and models, Commercialization,

Identifying unmet needs, Marketing and Evidence-based entrepreneurship• Reinforce and refine

development of key professional skills valued by

the bioscience industry

• Reinforce understanding and application of key science concepts and

techniques valued by the bioscience industry

• Offer a culminating experience that requires

students to utilize all aspects of the training

and development conducted during the

MMB program

Career Satisfaction

Practicum Projects (MB 585, MBA 590, MBA 576/77) Guest Speakers and Soft Skill Development

vsExperiential learning allows students to explore various career

options, network, and collaborate with both academic and professional mentors.2

Self-efficacy is influenced most by personal experience.4

Self-esteem, locus of control, neuroticism, and generalized self-efficacy are significant predictors of both job satisfaction and job

performance.5

Students work with different biotechnology companies during their first three semesters. The companies range in size and sector to

maximize students’ industry exposure

• Collaborative teamwork • Hone written and oral communication skills• Professional skill development

• Leadership• Written and spoken

communication• Time management• Project management • Building positive interpersonal

relationships • Gain insight into different industry sectors

Guest Speakers‘Hearing from various speakers teaches us about and keeps us

updated on current technologies in the companies in RTP.’ Student Feedback

• Gain insight into various career paths and experiences • Networking opportunity

• Career exploration

Soft Skill Development

Soft skills enable people to successfully engage in a wide variety of activities and situations they may encounter in their professional

careers, will prepare them to face the many challenges of the corporate worlds, and are traits businesses increasingly seek in

employees.6

References:

3Abuhmaid, Y. (2013). Quality of Rich Learning Experience According to Experiential Learning’s Approach [PowerPoint Slides]. Retrieved from https://www.slideshare.net/merlinjo1/rich-learning-experience-according-to-experiential-learning. 4Bandura, A. (1991). Human Agency: The Rhetoric of the Reality. American Psychologist, 46(2), 157-162.

1Brown, G.& Manogue,M. (2001). AMEE Medical education Guide No. 22: Refreshing lecturing: a guide for lecturers. Medical Teacher. 23(3), 231-344.

6Chattoraj, A. K., & Shabnam, S. (2015). Importance of soft skills in Business. Anusandhanika, 7(2), 105-110.

5Judge, T. Relationship of core self-evaluation traits—self-esteem, generalized self-efficacy, locus of control, and emotional stability—with job satisfaction and job performance: A meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology, (86)1, 80-92.

2McCarthy, P.R. & McCarthy, H.M. (2006). When case studies are not enough: Integrating experiential learning into business curricula. Journal of Education for Business, 81 (4), 201-204

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