The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Career speakers morph into video guest stars
A longstanding program that acquaints students with career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is creating a video library that could potentially reach classrooms (virtual or traditional) throughout the Delaware Valley.
Until this year’s COVID-19 school shutdown, some 35 STEM career presenters, volunteering through a direct-service program at RSVP, offered classroom presentations to acquaint students with technology career opportunities.
“Then our speaking opportunities vanished overnight and we began to pivot our resources,” said program coordinator Anabella Tracy. “Instead, we started to create videos that students can watch and teachers can play on demand.”
Each 15- to 25-minute video interview features a STEM professional.
“It amounts to a virtual career fair,” said RSVP spokesperson Tina Weaver. “In addition to traditional STEM careers such as electrical engineering, pharmaceutical research and chemistry, we’re including fields like criminal investigation, physical therapy and events marketing because so many jobs today incorporate technology.
“We wanted to offer students and teachers a more varied career menu. As a result, we are calling the program STEM Plus Career Presentations.”
Videos will be organized and made available on RSVP’s website. Teachers and school officials can reach out to Tracy at anabellat@ rsvpmc.org.
“We need more volunteers to share their careers with students,” Tracy said. “This is a great opportunity for folks who might be apprehensive about talking in front of a classroom.”
Interviewees are asked questions such as:
• Why did you choose your field?
• How does your field harness your talents?
• What education is needed to do your job?
• What does a typical day at work look like?
• How has technology changed your field?
• What can students do now to prepare to be successful?
If you’re interested in being interviewed for the program, call 610-834-1040, ext. 123 or email volunteer123@rsvpmc.org.
Tracy said she hopes classroom presentations can resume in the fall.
“We just don’t know what the landscape will look like,” she said.
In the meantime, the library of interviews can make STEM Plus Career Presentations available to students throughout the region and potentially beyond.
In addition to describing their chosen fields, the STEM Presenters give advice to students about how to identify and explore potential careers. Here are some of their suggestions offered in a sampling of video interviews conducted by RSVP.
On exploring careers: “Students should decide what kind of work interests them the most and talk to people who have those jobs,” said Alan Kober, a retired chemical engineer. “If you might want to be a plumber, your parents probably have a plumber who comes to your house to fix things. Talk to them. Your high school counselor can probably help you talk to people in different careers.”
Retired physical therapy administrator Beverly Samson advised students to “call somebody if you have an interest. If you’re interested in a hospital, call a specific department and ask if you can come in and talk to a physical therapist or whatever your interest is. ‘Could I observe for an hour?’ Usually they’ll say yes.”
“From an early age, start thinking about what interests you,” said Emma Ward, a municipal government senior grants coordinator. “Just start exploring things, even if you have no idea about a particular industry. Set aside weekly time to research three different career fields of interest.”
Hosang
In her interview, Ward displayed a “Future Career Fields” chart that helps students explore the educational requirements for their career interests.
Research: “If you love something, investigate, research what interests you,” advised Martha Simelaro, an electrical engineer. “Then try to get internships or volunteer opportunities, study hard and stay true to what you want to do. I Googled ‘engineering summer internships for high school students’ and sites such as indeed.com, dodstem.us and internships. com had opportunities for students. They can also speak with their counselor at school for help in locating volunteer or internship opportunities.”
“Read about the field, then go in and observe, not for a long time, but an hour or two, a half day if you can,” Samson said. “Professionals are usually very good at following up with kids who are interested in their fields.”
Marilyn Hosang, a pharmaceutical company clinical trials director, encouraged students to contact the human relations department of companies that interest them to ask if they can volunteer or observe.
“I am sure if a high school student calls HR to observe, volunteer or seek summer work, it will certainly put the student in good light as being proactive,” she said.
Other advice: You can change your mind.
“It’s not to say the decision you make when you’re 15 years old has to be the final decision,” Kober said.
“Lots of people change their minds in high school, college or after they begin their careers,” Simelaro said, “Don’t be afraid to change course if your initial choice turns out not to be what you thought it would be like.”
You can often get financial aid.
“If financial assistance is needed to pursue your higher education goals, definitely research scholarship opportunities,” Ward said. “Talk to your guidance counselor. There great organizations out there, grant makers, funders, that provide financial support.”
Look for careers that fit your nature.
“Everything is a process for me,” Simelaro said. “I always loved to take things apart and put them back together. That’s the fun part. In electrical engineering you analyze what you want as an outcome, figure out the steps to get there, and then do it.”
Nonprofit RSVP utilizes volunteers to meet growing community needs through targeted programs, primarily in Montgomery, Delaware and Chester counties. Its programs improve the lives of vulnerable populations in the community by focusing on education and wellness. To learn more visit www.rsvpmc.org