On May 14, 2024, IGNITE Worldwide hosted a Virtual Women in Skilled Trades Panel, bringing together students from McMinnville High School in Oregon and Shelton High School in Washington. The event featured an inspiring lineup of Panelists: Shanen Aranmór, Chief Wellness Welder at Weld Like a Girl, Michelle Balatico, President of TICO Construction, and Kaori Palmer, Sales Management Trainee at Heidelberg Materials, with facilitation by Wennahele Navarrete, Technical Account Manager at Afiniti and technical hosting by Lucia Viña Patiño, a Software Engineer at Microsoft.
This event provided a unique opportunity for students to engage with accomplished professionals in the welding and construction industries. The Panelists shared their diverse career journeys and offered valuable advice, emphasizing that career paths are often non-linear and full of unexpected turns. Aranmór, Balatico, and Palmer each recounted their personal stories, highlighting the importance of resilience, adaptability, and pursuing what makes you happy.
Students participated by typing questions in the chat and engaging directly with the Panelists in the virtual space. The advice given resonated, with Panelists encouraging students to embrace change and not be confined by others’ expectations. As one Panelist noted, “Life is too short to let people tell you what you can do and can’t do,” and another reinforced that it’s okay to make changes in your career, as most people do.
The impact of the event was evident in the students’ reactions. Chip Ford, McMinnville’s welding teacher, observed that seeing strong women leaders in high positions or owning their own companies was particularly impactful for the students. This exposure helped the students envision themselves in similar roles and reinforced the message that it’s worth the struggle to find a career that brings satisfaction and comfort, even if it involves multiple changes along the way.
Thank you to the Panelists, Shanen Aranmór, Michelle Balatico, and Kaori Palmer, for sharing their stories and experiences with IGNITE Students. Additional thanks to Wennahele Navarrete for facilitating the event and Lucia Viña Patiño for ensuring the event ran smoothly as our Tech Host. Special thanks to Educators Chip Ford and Mike Beyer for your support in bringing your students to this event and encouraging them through the IGNITE Program.
After attending this event:
80%
of students are interested in STEM
85%
of students know more about STEM career choices and the benefits of working in a STEM field
90%
of students feel more confident in pursuing STEM
90%
of students gained perspective and feel more hopeful about the future
Here’s what the students thought of the event:
“I have met a few women in my niche field that have inspired me, but it was wonderful to see other stories in other areas to know that there is a connection between women in STEM. I loved the panel and found them super interesting. I thought all of the stories and advice were unique, super helpful, and inspiring.” — 12th Grade IGNITE Student
“During the event today, I heard from women who are able to balance family life and careers. These are all successful women, and it helps me feel like I can go on to do both. I like learning about the lives of these women and how they came to build careers in STEM. It was also very interesting hearing about their struggles as women in this field.” — 12th Grade IGNITE Student
“It made me feel more comfortable in my workspace. It also helped me to know that society is changing, so I can participate in multiple careers. I really liked learning about different jobs. I also really liked learning about their experiences.” — 10th Grade IGNITE Student
“The women kept talking about how you should just strive toward your goal no matter what and to always believe in yourself. That was very inspiring to me. My favorite thing I learned was that the women changed their careers many times and didn’t know what they wanted to do right away. That was very comforting to me.” — 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“It was awesome to see so many examples of strong women in a male-dominated field. It was very empowering. I enjoyed learning about owning your own businesses. It was great to see successful and strong women leading their own businesses.” — 9th Grade IGNITE Student
About IGNITE Program Panel Events:
Virtual or In-Person IGNITE Panels empower women in STEM careers to connect directly with students by sharing their academic and professional journeys. IGNITE Students are inspired by hearing stories they can relate to, and Q&A discussions help break down stereotypes that hold them back from engaging in STEM classes and careers.
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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