On December 6th, 2023, IGNITE Worldwide collaborated with Jetson for an engaging Start Your Own Business IGNITE Workshop. The event took place at Kent-Meridian High School in Kent, Washington, with 14 students eager to participate in the event. The Workshop included a hands-on activity and a panel discussion featuring Content Marketing Specialist Kat Tulak, Co-Founder and CTO Natalie Young, Product Associate Max Lieberman, and Digital Marketing Specialist Murat Akyuz.
The workshop kicked off with Max guiding students through the process of crafting unique and marketable business ideas. The students explored various concepts, ranging from in-person and virtual therapy services to apps for artistic projects and e-commerce chatbots.
Next up was the panel discussion, where Kat and Natalie shared their inspiring STEM journeys. Kat, who is originally from Indonesia and became a Content Marketing Specialist after studying journalism in college, emphasized the importance of saying “yes” to new opportunities. Natalie, originally from China, shared her transition from hardware to software engineering and eventually becoming an entrepreneur, advising students to follow their passions.
The interactive Q&A session allowed students to inquire about podcast recommendations, decision-making in forming startups, overcoming limitations, effective marketing tactics, and day-to-day responsibilities. The Workshop concluded with a valuable message encouraging students to pursue their passion, break barriers, and take the first step toward their entrepreneurial dreams.
The event was a personal and interactive experience for students, fostering creativity and showcasing the diverse pathways within STEM and entrepreneurism. The Workshop activity not only allowed students to generate business ideas but also provided a platform to interact with the Jetson professionals, getting a better view of their roles and the multifaceted world of entrepreneurship.
Thank you to our dedicated Volunteers from Jetson and IGNITE Educator who made this event an enriching experience for the IGNITE Students. A special thanks goes to Kat Tulak and Natalie Young for sharing their career and personal journeys with students. Additional thanks to Max Lieberman and Murat Akyuz for generously contributing their time and expertise as Volunteers. We are grateful to IGNITE Educator Lysa Tran for their invaluable support in making this event a success.
After attending this event:
100%
of students are interested in STEM
85%
of students know more about STEM career choices and the benefits of working in a STEM field
80%
of students feel more confident in pursuing STEM
75%
of students gained perspective and feel more hopeful about the future
Here’s what the students thought of the event:
“This event made me feel ready to pursue STEM even more after talking to the professionals today. I also feel hopeful because I believe I can achieve what I set my mind to. I learned to take action and risks, even if you’re scared, and always seek support when you’re unsure.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“The volunteers helped me learn more about career opportunities and guided me on how to open my own business. I learned to explore different paths and acquire skills for starting my own business. I also learned about the experiences of the Jetson staff members. Thank you.” – 9th Grade IGNITE Student
“This event showed me opportunities in start-ups and taught me to follow my passions.” – 12th Grade IGNITE Student
“Today’s event gave me the initiative to start something for myself. I learned that every small step matters. Sometimes the steps you take in building a business aren’t exactly wrong, but it’s just not the right time or in the right order.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“Today’s event was very beneficial for me. It added a lot to my knowledge and inspired me to pursue my dreams without fear of taking risks. I’ve learned a lot about how to start and decide on the ideas we want and need. Starting a business doesn’t always mean introducing a completely new idea, but it can be something I add to something already existing.” – 10th Grade IGNITE Student
“This event inspired me to focus on what I am passionate about despite other people’s critique of the idea. You should focus on what you’re passionate about, find a problem within your interests, and find a solution for it; then, turn it into a business.” – 12th Grade IGNITE Student
“I learned more about business and what to do to own one. I learned to look into different franchises because my business idea sounded like it could be one.” – 10th Grade IGNITE Student
“This event inspired me to get to know more about start-ups. It made me want to explore STEM more!” – 12th Grade IGNITE Student
“I got to know more about STEM careers. I also got to learn about the pathways I can take. I learned a lot about pathways and other career options.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“Today changed a lot of my thinking about how to start my own business. I learned not to stop until I achieve what I want.” – 12th Grade IGNITE Student
About Jetson:
Jetson is an entrepreneurship app built for young minds to explore, create, and bring their business dreams to life. Through engaging, gamified quizzes and innovative AI tools, Jetson walks alongside you on your journey from idea to execution. Your dreams of starting a business are welcomed and celebrated as Jetson works with you to turn sparks of inspiration into exciting ventures. Build, learn, and grow with Jetson!
About IGNITE Program Workshop Events:
In-Person Workshops are held at the students’ school with a group of company volunteers. These volunteers lead students through a hands-on STEM experience in small groups and then students in an IGNITE Panel and Q&A discussion.
About IGNITE Worldwide:
IGNITE Worldwide is a 501(c)3 nonprofit STEM education organization that aims to change gender and racial equity in STEM permanently and systematically. We work directly with teachers during the school day to provide programming that promotes gender equity and representation in STEM academics and careers. Through our award-winning program, IGNITE provides engaging, hands-on events that connect students with STEM professionals from industry leaders from around the world. Learn more at www.igniteworldwide.org.
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