It's Raining STEM! 300 Students attended EXP's Women in STEM Career Day Despite the Weather
“Never let anyone stop you from doing what you love to do, and you can achieve anything--never let them tell you differently.” That is one of the many takeaways from more than 300 high school young women from 11 high schools who participated at the EXP’s Women in STEM Career Day on February 24, 2023, hosted by Long Beach City College (LBCC).
25 exhibitors and nearly 150 volunteers also braved the Southern California rainstorms to spend an inspiring day with our students.
EXP board members, lead sponsors, and special guests also had a chance to network at a VIP breakfast before the students arrive. Then the day started with a keynote presentation by Xyla Foxlin, a content creator, maker, and engineer, setting the tone for the day of career exploration with her high energy and inspirational story of curiosity and perseverance. Students then rotated through activities in the life science building including career panels with industry professionals, exhibit hall with organizations from local to international, and hands-on STEM activities led by LBCC graduate students and faculty members.
As fun and interactive those activities were, the highlight of the day for our volunteers and students was the “Lunch with a STEM Professional” where a group of students get to have a casual conversation with a STEM professional about their career.
“The experience was absolutely awesome,” said Hannah White, an engineer from Toyota and one of the panelists and volunteers. “All the girls in attendance really seemed engaged and excited to be there. It was such an empowering day for all of us!”
Champion Sponsors
Innovator Sponsor
Motivator Sponsors
Accelerator Sponsors
Ambassador Sponsors
Special Thanks
Brighton-Best International
Career Panels
Saving Lives, Taking Names: Careers in Healthcare
Yulissa Cabrera, Kaiser Permanente South Bay
Tia Delaney-Stewart, Eyes of Love Nursing, LLC
Stephanie Farmer, Elevance Health
Naween Syed Ilyas, Torrance Memorial Medical Center
Dr. Joycelyn Yamzon, Marshall B. Ketchum University-College of Pharmacy (also moderating)
We Run This Town: Careers in Energy and Utilities
Kailey Kreeger, Valero Energy
Jennifer Gallup, Marathon Petroleum Corporation (also moderating)
Joya Gathe, Phillips 66
Chloe Gharios, LADWP (also moderating)
Jasia Hodges, Valero Energy
Lluvia Lopez Garces, LADWP
Moderator: Juliana Moreno, Phillips 66
Plug Into Careers in Tech
Tracey Daley, FedEx
Donna Horton, Yerger Intelligent Automation Network
Kystin Kowalski-Avalos, Network Security Engineer
Christine Kucherer, And Belonging, Inc.
Malia Mason, Corvus Insurance
Moderator: Marcie Taylor, Marcie Taylor Media
STEM Mixed Tape
Belle Alcasid, Port of Los Angeles
Rosa Brice, Los Angeles World Airports
Velinda Meza, Boeing
Christina Serrano, Griffith Company
Romina Romero, UCI MIND
Moderator: Daisha Black, Sony Playstation
Moderator: Dr. Lara Ramdin, Dole Sunshine Company
STEM Girls Save the World
Brittney Cleveland, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
Tiffany Chang, Los Angeles County Public Works
Karen Green, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Astrid Sandoval, California Resources Corporation (also moderating)
Hannah White, Toyota (also moderating)
Lisa Wunder, Port of Los Angeles
Lluvia Lopez Garces, LADWP
Moderator: Alex Fillo, Women in Manufacturing Southern California / Motion Industries
Exhibitors
* also a sponsor
Build California
CSU Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime)
El Dorado Nature Center
FedEx
Gensler
Griffith Company*
Kiewit*
Los Angeles County Public Works
LADWP - LA Department of Water and Power*
LINXS - LAX Integrated Express Solutions
Long Beach City College DESTINO/First Year Experience*
Long Beach City College Matriculation*
Marine Mammal Care Center
Marshall B. Ketchum University - College of Pharmacy
Moog Aircraft Group*
Parsons Corporation
PCL
Port of Los Angeles
RSM
Sully-Miller Contracting Co.*
Swinerton
Toyota*
US Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles - Long Beach
Valero
Women's Journey Foundation
WTS-LA Transportation YOU Committee