Over 200 young women shown career opportunities

More than two-hundred girls from grades 9 through 12 had a chance Wednesday to learn more about future careers.The 16th Annual Women and Work Conference welcomed them from all over southeastern Idaho. The conference was held at the Student Union Building at Idaho State University in Pocatello.

Careers were showcased – careers women don’t usually choose, but can be financially rewarding.

S.T.E.M, otherwise known as science, technology, engineering, and math are the occupational subjects that were encouraged for women. At the conference, female high school students were getting a preview for a possible future career.

“Programs that are traditionally offered at the college of technology, are typically male dominated. And so, we don’t have to try to get men to see themselves as engineers. But we do need to work to get women as engineers. There are some great female engineers out there. There just isn’t that connection, and we need to make that connection,” said Chris Guthrie of Health Occupations from the College of Technology.

The conference was divided up into workshops of law enforcement… Health occupations and more within the stem program, where students got hands-on experience.

“Ours is a little…so the one that i did was a little bit different for a more of a overall view of health occupations… I had them test their blood. So, they all got to learn what their blood type was today,” said Chanel Quirk, Health Occupations of the College of Technology.

Surprisingly, all the students did the test, one in particular, says she is looking forward to a career in the health field and very much appreciated this opportunity Wednesday.

“I really want to go into health occupations. And the information she gave in there really helped me. Honestly, I thought it was a really great way to look at things like S.T.E.M programs. Just really opened my eyes to more things that I looked into,” said hopeful student, Mia Haskett of American Falls High School.

Chris guthrie of health occupations says the S.T.E.M programs are highly exceptional for young women and even men. And a great way to find a steady career with lots of money involved.

High school students who attended the conference today, also had a chance to enter to win a $500 scholarship. Which would be for the Fall 2016 semester at the College of Technology.