STEM Career Day
During the first half of day three of the delegation trip, the group visited Holy Kids School in Ijegun, Nigeria to introduce junior high and high school students to diverse opportunities for careers in STEM and share their perspectives as women in STEM from Silicon Valley. Jillian Scott, TechWomen Lead at IIE, and Busayo Durojaiye, 2014 fellow of Nigeria, greeted the students and provided an introduction to the TechWomen program.
“We believe that all of you, the next generation, can change the world. And we think STEM can help you do it.” – Jillian Scott
Four mentors then delivered TED-style talks about careers in STEM:
- Maile Smith – See Yourself in Sustainability: STEM Jobs in the Environmental Sector
- Zoe Schladow – Creating a Job for Yourself
- Leedjia Svec – Innovation: Your Key to the Future
- Heather Frank – The Future of STEM Careers
“It has been said the next Einstein will come from Africa. I believe they will come from Nigeria, and that she is in this room right now.” – Leedjia Svec
After a tour of the Parks4Play project, an initiative spearheaded by Busayo in which she engaged with the students at Holy Kids School and with local labor to clean and paint the space adjacent to the school so now they have a safe clean space to play, mentors and fellows divided into groups to lead breakout discussions. During these discussions, delegation members spoke with students about topics such as what they want to be when they grow up, the gender gap in STEM and what it takes to become an entrepreneur.
Professional Development Workshops
In the afternoon, the delegation visited the campus of Covenant University in Ota, Nigeria where they met with university faculty and staff and had the opportunity to speak to an audience of around 700 university STEM students. Christie Etukudor, 2016 fellow of Nigeria and Lecturer in Covenant University’s Electrical Engineering Department, gave the welcoming remarks.
Three mentors, Larissa Shapiro, Saura Naim and Jeannice Fairrer Samani, then gave lightening talks about different topics in STEM. Larissa spoke about the importance of diversity, stressing that it takes different kinds of thinkers to solve different problems; Saura spoke about the need for female STEM leaders and how men can support women in STEM; and Jeannice spoke about her career and journey in STEM.
The students were then able to attend workshops led by teams of mentors and fellows:
- The Power and Potential of STEM in Nigeria, with mentors Leedjia Svec and Zoe Schladow and 2014 fellow of Cameroon Dorothee Danedjo Fouba
- Transform Your Circle of Knowledge: The Power of Networking, with mentors Pamela O’Leary and Queen Denchukwu
- Planning for Your Career in STEM: Building Your Personal Brand, with mentors Heather Frank and Elizabeth Deng and 2014 fellow of Cameroon Sophie Ngassa
Continue following the delegation activities at #TWnigeria!
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