On February 14, 2024, Middle College High School in Seattle, WA welcomed Volunteers from Microsoft for an IGNITE Program Workshop on Cybersecurity. Led by a stellar lineup of STEM professionals including Software Engineers Keirten Nivol, Louisa Janssen, and Senior Content Developer Genevieve Warren, with the support of Microsoft Event Coordinator Liz Bander, the event turned into an engaging hands-on learning experience for the IGNITE Students.
The event’s main highlight was the dynamic panel discussion where the Microsoft professionals shared insights on online safety and their personal journeys in the tech realm. The Panelists navigated through the intricacies of working in cybersecurity while peppering their narrative with anecdotes from their own experiences at Microsoft. Students got the opportunity to fire off questions, prompting the Panelists to delve deeper into their roles and responsibilities within a leading tech company.
Throughout the session, a theme emerged – the importance of resilience and embracing one’s unique path in the tech industry. Panelists reassured students that it’s okay to aim high, take risks, and even reapply if necessary, showing them encouragement and empowerment. As students absorbed these insights, the Panelists’ passion for their work at Microsoft shone through, painting a vivid picture of fulfillment and support within the company and the STEM industry.
The impact of the event included the significance of breaking free from preconceived notions and embracing confidence and passion. From probing questions about the best and worst parts of their jobs to seeking advice on acing interviews, students received invaluable guidance.
Thank you to our incredible Volunteers: Keirten Nivol, Genevieve Warren, and Louisa Janssen for sharing their knowledge and stories with IGNITE Students, as well as Liz Bander for making the event happen behind the scenes. Additional thanks to Educators Lura Ercolano and Rebecca Goldberg, whose support and expertise made for an impactful experience for students.
After attending this event:
67%
of students are interested in STEM
92%
of students know more about STEM career choices and the benefits of working in a STEM field
67%
of students feel more confident in pursuing STEM
83%
of students gained perspective and feel more hopeful about the future
Here’s what the students thought of the event:
“This event inspired me to keep trying when things get hard and know that the career I have might not always be what I studied. I was inspired by the stories the women told about how the tech industry helped them.” – 10th Grade IGNITE Student
“The way the panelists described what they do in their job and the overall experience was inspiring.” – Kahoot – 9th Grade IGNITE Student
“I learned more about what would be important to study, how to get hired and become an intern, and that confidence and being enthusiastic is very important. I learned more about what it would be like to work at a big tech company and that there are many layers and levels of people involved in running the organization and every aspect and sub-division of it. I also learned that it’s okay not to get in at first and that it is important you keep trying and giving yourself opportunities to learn more about what you want to do. My favorite thing was learning about the volunteers’ personal stories and experiences of how they got involved and interested in their current jobs. It was helpful and interesting to hear. Thank you for sharing and giving us your time.” – 9th Grade IGNITE Student
About Microsoft:
Microsoft enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
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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