On March 7, 2024, IGNITE Worldwide organized a Field Trip Event to lululemon for 30 students from Cascade Middle School, spanning grades 6 to 8. The event, led by a dynamic team of industry professionals, aimed to provide an insightful and fun experience for students and shed light on the diverse career paths within lululemon. The event took place at lululemon’s Headquarters in Sumner, WA.
The day commenced with a warm welcome from CIO and Executive Vice President, Julie Averill, setting the stage for an interactive and educational experience. The students were divided into small groups, each led by volunteers representing various roles within lululemon. A highlight of the day was the Lego Activity, where students assumed roles like project manager, engineer, and quality assurance officer. Guided by industry professionals, such as Portfolio Managers Elizabeth Taylor and Annie Bui, and Technology Director Nicola Hughes-Petrich, students collaborated to build Lego kits, experiencing firsthand the importance of effective communication across roles in a work setting.
The students, in groups of five, presented their finished products, showcasing what they had learned about the roles and the value of teamwork. A key takeaway was the realization that there isn’t a single prescribed major for a career at lululemon.
The day then led to the panel discussion, during which Panelists, including Lead Architect Sonia Thomas, Engineer Gobie Mohseni, and Lead Quality Assurance Analyst Nevedita Naveen, addressed students’ questions, emphasizing the diverse paths they took to their current roles. The revelation that one Panelist started as an intern and transitioned to a full-time position resonated with the students.
The panel discussion covered a range of topics, from personal experiences and hardships faced by women in big business to the daily realities of their roles. The students were particularly intrigued by the Panelists’ responses to the question, “Are you happy?” This prompted a deeper exploration into job satisfaction and provided valuable insights for the students considering future career paths.
In addition to the informative sessions, the in-person nature of the event proved to be a significant factor in student engagement. The students expressed their enthusiasm for hands-on activities, citing the Lego Activity as a highlight that facilitated small group interaction and personalized conversations with lululemon volunteers.
IGNITE Worldwide extends our gratitude to the dedicated volunteers who made this event possible. Special thanks to Greeters/Tour Guides Elizabeth Taylor, Annie Bui, and Jen Petrut; Activity Leader Nicola Hughes-Petrich and Sadie Braune; Small Group Leaders Sonia Thomas, Gobie Mohseni, Nevedita Naveen, Alicia Hotchkiss, and Anisha Adella; Facilitator Sara Lemon; and Administrative Support from Jebin Zacharia, Anirban Nag, and Morgan Villalobos. Additional thanks to Sonia, Gobie, and Nevedita for sharing their stories and insights with the students as Panelists. Immense gratitude to Educator Nadia Counter for her role in coordinating the school’s participation and to Julie Averill for providing a warm welcome and enriching the students’ experience.
After attending this event:
64%
of students are interested in STEM
81%
of students know more about STEM career choices and the benefits of working in a STEM field
76%
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:
“Today gave me the idea of what my future is going to look like. Building the car was my favorite part.” – 8th Grade IGNITE Student
“The event inspired me by giving me opportunities to be in the shoes of the workers. What I learned today is how to help my friends without being too vocal.” – 8th Grade IGNITE Student
“Today’s event inspired me by helping me feel more confident. It helped me understand more about jobs. My favorite things today were learning new things, building Legos, and lastly, being with my friends.” – 6th Grade IGNITE Student
“It was really fun, and the food was good. It was about how we can work together.” – 6th Grade IGNITE Student
“I think that I want to work here now. It sounds really fun. I learned how to make Legos and that people work together.” – 8th Grade IGNITE Student
“This event inspired me because since I was a little girl, my dad would always teach me about engineering. I liked how the panel was about how the women followed their dreams.” – 6th Grade IGNITE Student
“This event inspired me to work harder. I learned how to build a Lego set and inhale a cookie.” – 8th Grade IGNITE Student
“Today was fun and it helped me learn a lot.” – 7th Grade IGNITE Student
“Something that inspired me was the people working here. It was about asking questions to the people working here.” – 7th Grade IGNITE Student
“This event helped me understand that I should do what I really want to do in life and not back down. It also showed me that you don’t have to major in something that relates to working at Lululemon.” – 7th Grade IGNITE Student
“Today’s event was very fun, and it showed me that you can have a really fancy job like this working in the top of a tower downtown even if you don’t get a major in CS.” – 8th Grade IGNITE Student
“This event taught me that you don’t need to have a specific major to do what you want.” – 7th Grade IGNITE Student
“The volunteers showed me more about STEM and how it works. My favorite thing had to be when we were building the Legos and we got to know what each role’s purpose was.” – 8th Grade IGNITE Student
“Today gave me more confidence in doing things I want to do. Building Lego and that you don’t have to take a major in your career.” – 6th Grade IGNITE Student
“This event was really interesting to me and made me wonder what I really want to do. I learned that it’s okay to always ask for help.” – 8th Grade IGNITE Student
“It was really helpful and inspiring to see how other women work. It was interesting that a lot of women actually work in engineering.” – 8th Grade IGNITE Student
“The volunteers inspired me by letting me know that you can pursue what you want, and it’s not too late. It was also fun learning about the architecture.” – 6th Grade IGNITE Student
“I was inspired by all the women that work in the STEM field. It was a very positive community.” – 7th Grade IGNITE Student
“I was inspired by how many women work here. Also, how many job opportunities there are and all of the opportunities that they have for careers.” – 8th Grade IGNITE Student
“Today inspired me to feel more comfortable to pursue a career involved in STEM. It inspired me to know I’m not alone if I were to pursue a STEM career. My favorite thing I learned was how many women are in the STEM field. Another thing was the Lego build we did as a team.” – 8th Grade IGNITE Student
“This inspired me to take different career choices in college. It also inspired me to take my time with work. My favorite thing that happened today was eating food and building Legos.” – 8th Grade IGNITE Student
About Lululemon:
Lululemon Athletica Inc. is a technical athletic apparel, footwear, and accessories company for yoga, running, training, and most other activities, creating transformational products and experiences that build meaningful connections, unlocking greater possibility and well-being for all. Setting the bar in innovation of fabrics and functional designs, lululemon works with yogis and athletes in local communities around the world for continuous research and product feedback.
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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