On Feb. 16, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m, students filed into classrooms to attend PTSA’s “Explore Careers!: Science, Technology, Engineering & Math” presentations. Students could choose a total of three out of 17 half hour sessions to attend, with topics ranging from Molecular Genetics to Computer Science Research.
During each session, one or two presenters explained details about their career, their college educational background, day-to-day agenda, as well as interesting details they thought would help students in choosing a career. Students moved from room to room between sessions to learn about different topics during the night.
“[For the Biotechnology speaker, Eric Sharps] it wasn’t just the topic itself [that was interesting] it was advice for school,” junior Cindy Jung said. “He gave a lot of insight to us about what classes we were going to take and to really think about what decisions you make before you choose a major in college.”
While this event was organized mostly by PTSA and Career Center liaison Miriam Taba, FBLA members were also guiding speakers during the different sessions.
“We also help to find the speakers, help with publicity [of the event], put up posters and [overall], it’s been a really great experience,” FBLA Director of American Enterprise junior Yanbing Zhu said.
The PTSA members generally found presenters through word of mouth or emails. However, in some cases, such as that of Space Exploration speaker Michael H. Sims, presenters were contacted through a predetermined list of people that the company had on hand.
“I hope they learn that space and science is fun,” Sims said. “It really comes from what turns you on, what is exciting to you, what you can do in your life. If you can find that you can find the rest.”
Marine Biology speaker Hayley Usedom chose to speak at the event because she felt that it gave students an opportunity to familiarize themselves what they might want to do in the future.
“[In the future], of course ideas change and [students’] thoughts change, [but] being able to hear firsthand what it is like to be in that field is a great opportunity [to help students make the right choices],” Usedon said.
As for the future, PTSA has plans to have a business, marketing and finance-themed event in March and a law enforcement, nonprofit and government one in April.
“We try to think about what would be interesting for the students and … to have a diverse selection of careers,” PTSA president and Explore Careers committee member Pam Siu said. “We try to have a nice variety so there’s something for everyone no matter what careers they choose to go in to.”
