CSULB BUILD Learning Communities

The Learning Communities for the CSULB BUILD program provide a variety of benefits for trainees.

  • Community: The Learning Community provides an opportunity for trainees from all four Colleges to gather on a weekly basis.
  • Plan of action: During the Learning Community, trainees develop their individual academic and research development plan and receive feedback to further improve the plan.
  • Graduate school preparation: Trainees learn how to effectively apply to summer research internships and graduate school programs. Preparation includes the development of application materials, such as statements of purpose and Curriculum Vitae (CV), as well as practice sessions of the Graduate Record Exam and mock interviews.
  • Professional development: Workshops are specifically developed to give the BUILD trainees resources and tools to navigate the challenges of graduate study and career entry in research. Workshop topics include communication, stress management, growth mindset and more. Distinguished guest speakers from backgrounds in each of the four Colleges are invited for the BUILD colloquium series, in which each speaker shares their research journey, their current line of research, and how they overcame barriers to their success.
  • Presentation opportunities: The CSULB BUILD program hosts two symposia a year, providing opportunities for trainees to learn how to develop and present a poster presentation for both lay and scientific audiences. Students also have the opportunity to present at a professional conference through support of the BUILD program.

You can find syllabi for the current Learning Communities here.

Amara Pouv presenting at ABRCMS
Amara Pouv presenting at ABRCMS
BUILD students at the Learning Community
BUILD students at the Learning Community
Annual Elevator Speech Contest
Annual Elevator Speech Contest