Emerson STEM Professionals Take Inspiration Direct to the Community

Emerson WomenInSTEMWhat’s it really like to be an engineer? How does a mathematician spend her day? What are the rewards of being a scientist? These are the kinds of questions young people – especially girls – often have when they’re being encouraged to follow a STEM career. This is one reason Emerson offers special STEM events where girls and boys get to meet and interact with female scientists and engineers, ask them questions, and get hands-on experience. The response to these events from the participants is enthusiastic and the kids say they go away inspired.

At a recent event in Minneapolis, I joined a team of female engineers who gave an audience of hundreds of girls and boys interested in STEM that real-world motivation they need.

Young people, particularly young girls, are being encouraged to explore STEM careers but they often don’t know why they’d want to be a scientist or engineer and they don’t know a female who works in a technical field who can answer their questions. Youth STEM events provide an opportunity for Emerson professionals to create meaning in and excitement for STEM careers. The kids get to meet real people who love what they do and can’t wait to welcome them into the field. The professions become exciting and inspiring rather than just scary.

In Minneapolis, we described our typical days and how our professions fulfill our dreams and goals. For example, my colleague Sara Wiederoder, Emerson’s product manager for combustion products, shared how her passions are engineering and travel and how being a product manager allows her to enjoy both of her loves. The young people also got to see temperature, pressure, and level devices in use and take the temperature of various liquids. When the professionals illustrated how these devices solved problems for customers – like taking the level of the water in the Seattle aquarium – the kids understood how this at-first meaningless equipment, actually helps protect the environment and the people working in all types of businesses.

We benefit just as much as the girls and boys from these kinds of events. From my own experience I’ve found that we spend so much time interacting with other engineers and scientists, we seldom have to break down our professions into simple terms and describe why we love what we do. These events inspire us as much as the kids. The events also enhance the communities in which they are held.

Bottom line, STEM professions require perseverance. Kids need to know it won’t always be easy, but it’s worth it to persist, and learning to overcome the challenges will serve them well for the rest of their lives. Girls and boys need to know – set your sights high and never give up!

Have you ever participated in a STEM education event? What were your impressions?