On October 24, 2024, 30 eighth-grade students from Eckstein Middle School visited Adobe for an exciting and creative IGNITE Field Trip. The event was co-led by Lisa Pedee, Sr. Design Ops Program Manager, and Tessa Vanderwielen, Sr. Software Engineer, and supported by Educator Michele Amato, who accompanied the students throughout the day. A talented group of Adobe volunteers, including Jianlan Song, Sr. Engineering Manager; Feng Zhu, User Experience Designer; Goda Raslan, Frontend Software Engineer; Alex Pilla, Sr. Design Manager, Education; Min Suh, Experience Researcher; Esme Xu, Experience Researcher; Carina Ly, Product Manager; and Lilian Lin, Sr. Product Designer, contributed to making the day memorable for the students.
The day began with a tour of Adobe’s facility, where students explored unique spaces like the game room, music room, a secret room behind a bookcase, and the cafeteria. These creative and collaborative spaces gave students a glimpse into Adobe’s work culture and left them in awe. Next, they participated in a hands-on workshop using Adobe Express to create posters on topics of their choice, with Adobe employees providing guidance and feedback.
During lunch, students attended a panel featuring three Adobe employees who shared their career journeys and experiences. The students asked thoughtful questions, ranging from what a typical day looks like to how their roles have evolved over time. Panelists shared advice, encouraging the students to communicate their career interests, embrace problem-solving, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
The Field Trip wrapped up with students receiving Adobe swag and showing their appreciation by hugging employees and expressing gratitude. They left with a better understanding of Adobe’s dynamic work environment and valuable insights into how they can explore their own creative paths.
“I was inspired by hearing the women talk about their experiences at Adobe. My favorite thing was learning about their workspace and environment. I also liked hearing about their backgrounds.”
8th Grade IGNITE Student
“It was really cool to see how different women shaped their careers. It was very inspiring and hopeful to witness. I also really enjoyed learning to use the program to design posters. I love designing and animation, so this was one of my favorite parts.”
8th Grade IGNITE Student
“This event helped me feel like a career in STEM is a real possibility. Before this, a future in STEM felt like wishful thinking, but now it seems like something I could actually do. My favorite thing I learned today was about all the different aspects of computer science. I didn’t realize how many options there are.”
8th Grade IGNITE Student
“This event inspired me because there are so many careers in STEM that I could pursue in the future. I was also inspired by how many women work at Adobe.”
8th Grade IGNITE Student
STUDENTS SURVEYED FOLLOWING PARTICIPATION IN THIS EVENT REPORTED...
93%
INTERESTED IN STEM
84%
KNOW MORE ABOUT STEM CAREERS & THE BENEFITS OF WORKING IN STEM
80%
FEEL MORE CONFIDENT
IN PURSUING STEM
82%
GAINED PERSPECTIVE & FEEL MORE HOPEFUL ABOUT THE FUTURE
Additional Student Feedback:
“It made me feel more confident in myself.” – 8th Grade IGNITE Student
“I was inspired by how STEM and tech aren’t just about coding and learning. I was also inspired by how many women work here and how they shared their experiences with us. My favorite thing I learned was that STEM and tech include art, not just coding. I also learned how fun Adobe is and how many opportunities it offers.” – 8th Grade IGNITE Student
“Today’s event inspired me to learn more about STEM and STEM careers after hearing a panel of women talk about what they enjoy doing in their jobs. Hearing their stories was very inspiring. Some of my favorite parts of today were touring the Adobe building and learning about the different careers in computer science.” – 8th Grade IGNITE Student
“Hearing everyone’s personal perspectives and experiences in STEM made me more interested in learning about the field. I really liked the Q&A segment of the field trip.” – 8th Grade IGNITE Student
“I want to work in STEM because it really interests me. The panel was so inspiring to listen to. I enjoyed learning about how everyone on the panel got to where they are now and hearing the inspiration they shared.” – 8th Grade IGNITE Student
“I really liked this experience. Hearing their stories was very inspiring. My favorite part was the tour—the building was so cool.” – 8th Grade IGNITE Student
“This event made me feel more confident about finding companies for internships. It also showed me that I can make a difference in my workplace while being part of a fun company. I learned what you might need for an internship and got some great advice from experienced people in STEM.” – 8th Grade IGNITE Student
Thank you to our IGNITE Volunteers and Educators:
- Lisa Pedee
- Tessa Vanderwielen
- Jianlan Song
- Feng Zhu
- Goda Raslan
- Alex Pilla
- Min Suh
- Esme Xu
- Carina Ly
- Lilian Lin
- Michele Amato
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 igniteworldwide.org.