A recent IGNITE Worldwide Program Event, held on January 23, 2024, took Talley High School, Renton High School, and Legacy High School students on an exciting Field Trip to the T-Mobile Headquarters in Seattle, WA. The event featured notable volunteers such as Jenny Philips, Sr. Manager of Software Development, and Sireesha Panchagnula, Sr. Manager of Core Network Performance, as Panelists, alongside Volunteers Sarah Tole, Sr. Enterprise Business Continuity Manager, Melanie Lenahan, and Candice Boyd, Senior Manager, who helped facilitate and plan the event.
The day kicked off with a tour of the Business Operations Center and T-Mobile Headquarters, providing students with an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the company’s operations. The inside look was followed up by a panel discussion, where students had the opportunity to interact with professionals from diverse backgrounds, gaining insights into their career journeys and the various roles available at T-Mobile.
During the panel, students asked about the Panelists’ experiences and the reasons they enjoy their jobs. This interactive session not only demystified the corporate world but also inspired students to consider potential career paths in STEM. One standout moment was the revelation of T-Mobile’s internship programs, sparking interest and curiosity among the students about future opportunities within the company.
The realization that T-Mobile encompasses a multitude of roles and functions was a key takeaway for students, dispelling the notion that a tech company only involves coding and programming. The engaging Panelists, hands-on learning, and insights into internship opportunities left a lasting impression, making this event a standout experience for all involved.
Thank you to the amazing individuals who made our recent event a great success. Special thanks to our esteemed Panelists, Jenny Philips and Sireesha Panchagnula, whose insightful contributions enriched our discussions and provided valuable perspectives. A heartfelt appreciation to Sarah Tole, Melanie Lenahan, and the event’s Facilitator, Candice Boyd, for their tireless efforts in planning and executing the event seamlessly. Additionally, thank you to the Educators who played a crucial role in ensuring school participation: Rick Pitts from Albert Talley HS, Debbie Curry from Renton High School, and Marianne Pauley from Legacy High School. Your support and commitment to your students is truly commendable.
After attending this event:
86%
of students are interested in STEM
84%
of students know more about STEM career choices and the benefits of working in a STEM field
70%
of students feel more confident in pursuing STEM
80%
of students gained perspective and feel more hopeful about the future
Here’s what the students thought of the event:
“I was able to find lots of opportunities and hear about real-life experiences, especially high school internships. I am inspired to apply to the T-Mobile Explorer internship and promote it to my school. I want to be able to win it.” – 12th Grade IGNITE Student
“I feel more comfortable and reassured that even though I haven’t really focused on tech, there are still other options in the same field. I was able to feel more comfortable in choosing engineering. It showed me it’s okay to be uncertain in your job/school life as long as you have the drive to improve. It got me thinking about male-dominated roles and how you shouldn’t let that stop you if you want to do the job.” – 12th Grade IGNITE Student
“This experience changed my perspective on things. It was cool that they have a lot of TV screens and welcome to all.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“I learned about what the speakers majored in in college and what they did to get to work here. I learned about the different roles at T-Mobile, the different parts of the buildings where they work, and how they operate in working with the phones and the network.” – 10th Grade IGNITE Student
“This event inspired me to work to get a great job. I am very inspired to work harder to get to my goals.” – 9th Grade IGNITE Student
“It was cozy and seemed cool. I want to work in the event monitoring room!” – 10th Grade IGNITE Student
“I got to see people who are doing good things. It inspired me to keep trying and never give up. Thank you to the people who spoke and gave the tour!” – 9th Grade IGNITE Student
“This event inspired me because I saw things I haven’t seen before. I feel like this event made me think about my future a lot. What I learned was how people got into their future, and also how things are at T-Mobile. Thank you to the speakers who spoke about their lives and how they came to T-Mobile.” – 9th Grade IGNITE Student
“It inspired me to look into a STEM job more and look into the job branches more; the work sphere is welcoming.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“I found the jobs very interesting and really enjoyed the workspaces – they were really pretty. I liked all the volunteers.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“This event taught me a lot of things I didn’t know. Hearing the professionals made me think and feel confident and hopeful about my future. Seeing how IGNITE works was one of my takeaways, and also how the workers were all so nice.” – 9th Grade IGNITE Student
“This helped me feel more confident. I learned that mistakes are good, and math is useful.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“This showed me that I don’t need to know a lot of things about my future right now. The internships were a big takeaway.” – 12th Grade IGNITE Student
“This event helped me to understand that there are even more opportunities than I thought in STEM.” – 12th Grade IGNITE Student
About T-Mobile:
T-Mobile US, Inc. is America’s supercharged Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for all. T-Mobile’s customers benefit from its unmatched combination of value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best possible service experience and undisputable drive for disruption that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Sprint.
About IGNITE Program Field Trip Events:
IGNITE Field Trips offer a memorable, behind-the-scenes look at STEM in action and the wide range of career opportunities at the host company. Company employees interact directly with the students through an office tour, hands-on STEM activities, and 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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