Program seeks girls for STEM

BENTONVILLE -- More than 100 Bentonville High School girls gathered Tuesday to hear how a job involving science, technology, engineering or math could be right for them.

Million Women Mentors, a national initiative to get one million volunteer mentors to encourage girls and women to pursue a STEM-related career, held the event. Women comprise one out of every four workers in a STEM career, according to the Million Women Mentors website.

Several women from Walmart's home office addressed the girls at the Arend Arts Center.

"We want to give you our personal experiences and assist you in making those personal decisions on what you're going to do after high school," said LaToya Green, a senior manager in Walmart's technology division.

Students were given a website where they could sign up to request a mentor. They also were encouraged to attend the Million Women Mentors Arkansas state kickoff Feb. 2 in Bentonville.

Gini Cocanower, a computer science teacher at the high school, said by 2024 there will be 6.6 million jobs in STEM that will go unfilled because of a lack of skilled workers.

"We want to continue to help build your confidence in this area," Cocanower told the students. "The great first step is that you're here today."

Green laid out the benefits of a STEM career from a lifestyle perspective, showing the different qualities of food, car and house they could afford at various salary levels. Salaries in STEM jobs -- even for those who have earned just a bachelor's degree -- can be lucrative, she said.

Green added many technology jobs offer good opportunities for advancement, noting she started as a programmer and worked her way up into management at Walmart.

Stacey Webb, a senior director in Walmart's international division, studied industrial engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. She sought to dispel some of the myths about STEM careers, including the notion they're not compatible with family life.

Webb showed a picture of herself with her husband and dog, alongside another picture of the couple's 4-month-old son.

Another myth is that STEM jobs are boring, she said. Webb discussed a job she had with the Hershey Co. working on the Reese's Big Cup Peanut Butter Cup line. She spent the whole summer identifying and reducing waste on the line and making the workers' jobs easier.

She came to Walmart for a job in logistics, helping to find the most efficient ways of moving products from manufacturers all over the world to the stores.

"I got to travel all over the world and work with people who think differently from me," Webb said.

Finally, Webb addressed the myth that STEM work is too hard. That's not true, she said.

"It takes a lot of hard work and perseverance, but you can do it," she said.

Lauren Saulsbery, a Bentonville High senior, takes Essentials of Computer Programming and Engineering Design and Development classes. She's one of two girls in the latter class.

She said that disparity was intimidating at first, but added she's gotten used to it. She appreciated the Million Women Mentors program.

"I think it's a very good approach," she said.

Saulsbery said she's leaning toward a career in computer programming. During Tuesday's event, she got a chance to pitch to students the "Lil Miss Coder" club, a group she leads for seventh- through 12th-graders interested in computer coding.

Bentonville High School's Ignite program, which focuses on preparing students for jobs through partnerships with local businesses, nonprofit organizations and entrepreneurs in the community, started in August with an Information Technology Solutions class. The class began with 16 students, all boys.

That will change next school year, said Teresa Hudson, Ignite director.

"We have a lot of interest from girls," Hudson said.

Ignite will expand in the fall to offer classes in creative arts, medical and health sciences, construction technology and culinary arts.

NW News on 01/20/2016