Teens involved with the Saint Louis Science Center’s Youth Exploring Science (YES) program recently had an opportunity to network with St. Louis area professionals in a variety of career fields.
Professionals and teens mingled at the Taylor Community Science Resource Center, 4900 Manchester Ave., and dined on a buffet-style breakfast during a pre-event mixer. They next moved into the Jolly North and South conference room where 43 professionals met one-on-one with about 100 teens.
“They need the exposure of knowing what careers are actually out there,” said Siinya Williams, senior director of educational outreach at the Saint Louis Science Center. “This is an opportunity for them to say, ‘What were your trials and triumphs?’”
Like at a speed dating event, every 15 minutes the teens rotated between tables where they engaged in roundtable discussions. Among the professionals who volunteered their time were Aaron Grimes, licensed funeral director and embalmer at Wade Funeral Home, and Gibran Burchett, urban farmer and CEO of Hosco Farms.
Unlike the Science Center’s annual Minority Scientists Showcase, the networking event also showcased professionals outside of Science, Technology, Math and Engineering (STEM) careers. The networking event featured HOT 104.1 media personality and spoken word artist Sharee Galvin (Mocha Latte) and Adrianne Martin, director of social services at Annie Malone Children & Family Service Center.
Martin is responsible for overseeing and managing Annie Malone’s Crisis Intervention and Respite Care Program as well as its Transitional Living Program. She said social work was not a career path she wanted to pursue initially, but after some personal reflection, a slew of volunteer opportunities and six years in the social services field, she realized she always had been one.
“When I look back on my life,” she said as she addressed the audience, “I’ve been a social worker my entire life.”
She encouraged the teens to “never say never.” As the teens embark on their own personal roads of self-discovery, she urged them to be open to all career possibilities.
Borrowing some advice from Walt Disney, Mocha Latte urged the teens to “keep moving forward.”
Ramauda Green, a 16-year-old University City High School student, listened intently to these words of wisdom. Green said she learned the importance of setting goals and that it’s acceptable to wear many professional hats as long you’re passionate about whatever you pursue.
Networking bridges the gap between mentor and mentee, Williams said. Without industry role models, she said, teens develop misconceptions that certain careers are unattainable for them. Williams added that this is one of the reasons why these showcases are so valuable.
The YES program promotes the Science Center’s mission “to ignite and sustain lifelong science and technology learning throughout the community.” The program targets 250 underserved teens throughout the course of their high school career providing them with an inquiry-learning environment focusing on STEM education.
For more information on the YES program, visit youthexploringscience.com.
Follow this reporter on Twitter: @BridjesONeil.
