In today’s world there is no such thing as too much preparation for a secure future, especially in the career sector. Competition for good jobs is increasingly fierce. As grandma used to say, “the early bird gets the worm.” Starting earlier may be the solution.
Today, fifty-seven percent of college grads are women – a huge increase from just ten years ago. The number of women pursuing degrees in science, math and engineering has quadrupled since the sixties. The Academy is committed to helping young women pursue careers in math and science. To underscore the idea of starting early, the Academy has actively pursued a few special partnerships. One of them is Jr. Tech, Inc., a nonprofit organization located in Barnstable, MA, whose goal is to engage students in grades five through twelve, in STEM education and to foster a life-long interest in these fields. According to Phyllis Russell, President and Executive Director, “STEM (our focus) stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math – fields critical to the future of our country’s economy and our standing as a competitive player in the world’s marketplace. Girls studying STEM topics are learning valuable, marketable skills while also learning how to think critically, communicate effectively, develop hypothesis and experiments and to work with collaborative groups.”
Recently Jr. Tech, in partnership with MMA, hosted the SciTech Girl Expo for grades 9 through 12 with a focus on STEM careers for females in emerging fields including medical, meteorology, engineering and more. Interest and attendance were high with over 95 girls from across the state attending.
The Academy has been collaborating with this organization for six years. Jr. Tech, Inc. used to be housed under the umbrella of the Cape Cod Technical Council. In 2010, its growth and popularity led to its current stand alone, non-profit position. For girls who like technology, check out JrTech.
Being proactive early on will give any interested young women a leg up in a STEM career of their choice.
Mentoring success through powerful partnerships remains a critical and ongoing directive of Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
