Over 300 high school students and 24 industry partners, including Australian Catholic University, Amazon, Bosch, John Holland, Sydney Water, and the Australian Defence Force, from across New South Wales, recently attended Generation STEM's third annual #WithSTEMYouCan Careers Expo.
Students engaged with industry professionals, asked questions and explored diverse career paths in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
"STEM isn't just for scientists or engineers; it's for everyone. If you aspire to be a lawyer at a tech firm, understanding technology is essential for protecting it," shared Felicia Li, brand specialist at Amazon, during her keynote address.
"If you take away anything today, it is that STEM is not just about building the physical world. It is about bridging where you are today to where you want to be," she said, adding, "I believe that 'you can't be what you can't see.' So, it's crucial for students to be aware of the opportunities available. They are the future leaders."
Joanne Richards, Reliability Maintenance Engineering Area Manager at Amazon, noted how the day is an opportunity to bring students together and showcase the multitude of industries and career paths.
She said, "Today, we encountered students who had never heard of countless new careers available to them. Seeing their curiosity has been a highlight. Such events are a great opportunity for industries to support the next generation."
Throughout the day, students participated in hands-on, interactive workshops. They learnt about data and its impact, how to find, protect, and enhance habitats for native Australian animals, and the complexity of sustainable water management. These workshops not only captured their interest but offered practical activities related to STEM fields.
"We are looking toward the future," said Associate Professor, Monica Wong State Head of Education NSW/ACT at Australian Catholic University (ACU). "Today, I really enjoyed reconnecting with the high school students and getting them to start thinking about their futures and STEM."
"We also want students to know that there are multiple pathways to enter university; they can participate in step-up programs and summer concurrent studies. Our goal is for students to enjoy the educational process and be a valued member of a sustainable society," she said.
The panel discussion, featuring four STEM professionals, was another highlight. They shared lessons and unexpected skills that have helped them succeed and highlighted the significance following one’s passions. One of the student attendees said the panel discussion was her favourite part of the day because there were so many different stories to hear.
"My interest in STEM began with my love of video games," said Dr Rhett Loban, Senior Lecturer at ACU.
"I started with a Gameboy, and it developed from there. However, the path wasn't straightforward. After high school, I studied arts and worked for the government, but I realised it wasn't for me. So, I returned to study information technology, focusing on networking and cybersecurity."
After earning his IT degree, Brett decided to pivot once more, this time pursuing his original passion: video games. "I went back to do my PhD, which looked at how we can learn through video games," he said.
Jonathan O’Dowd, Business Development Manager at CSIRO, also shared the importance of effective communications. From studying languages at high school and university to thinking about the impact communications can have in meetings, networking or reports.
"The information can be very complex, and those who don't work in STEM can find it difficult to understand." He explains that it's vital to be able to tell the story.
Dr. Anita Hafner, CSIRO Early Research Career Postdoctoral Fellow in Space and Astronomy, also passed on some valuable advice. "Expose yourself to as many different experiences as possible," she said. "You never know where that spark of interest will come from.
"Don't just attend events that align with your current interests; explore those you think you're not interested in as well. You might find an unexpected aspect that you enjoy. Ultimately, finding something you're passionate about is what will carry you through in life."
The WithSTEMYouCan Careers Expo highlights the importance of showcasing STEM careers to students in a hands-on and captivating manner, making the subjects come alive and demonstrating their real-world relevance.
Rebecca Ferris, Science Head Teacher at Elderslie High School, attended the event for the first time and noted the students' excitement about exploring STEM careers. She also shared the challenges in getting students engaged in STEM.
These include a lack of self-belief, the misconception that STEM is beyond their abilities, and the belief that a university degree and a long, linear path are necessary to work in STEM fields. "Making small connections with industry, breaking down those barriers and misconceptions is very important for our students," she said.
Over 300 high school students and 24 industry partners, including Australian Catholic University, Amazon, Bosch, John Holland, Sydney Water, and the Australian Defence Force, from across New South Wales, recently attended Generation STEM's third annual #WithSTEMYouCan Careers Expo.
Students engaged with industry professionals, asked questions and explored diverse career paths in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
"STEM isn't just for scientists or engineers; it's for everyone. If you aspire to be a lawyer at a tech firm, understanding technology is essential for protecting it," shared Felicia Li, brand specialist at Amazon, during her keynote address.
"If you take away anything today, it is that STEM is not just about building the physical world. It is about bridging where you are today to where you want to be," she said, adding, "I believe that 'you can't be what you can't see.' So, it's crucial for students to be aware of the opportunities available. They are the future leaders."
Joanne Richards, Reliability Maintenance Engineering Area Manager at Amazon, noted how the day is an opportunity to bring students together and showcase the multitude of industries and career paths.
She said, "Today, we encountered students who had never heard of countless new careers available to them. Seeing their curiosity has been a highlight. Such events are a great opportunity for industries to support the next generation."
Throughout the day, students participated in hands-on, interactive workshops. They learnt about data and its impact, how to find, protect, and enhance habitats for native Australian animals, and the complexity of sustainable water management. These workshops not only captured their interest but offered practical activities related to STEM fields.
"We are looking toward the future," said Associate Professor, Monica Wong State Head of Education NSW/ACT at Australian Catholic University (ACU). "Today, I really enjoyed reconnecting with the high school students and getting them to start thinking about their futures and STEM."
"We also want students to know that there are multiple pathways to enter university; they can participate in step-up programs and summer concurrent studies. Our goal is for students to enjoy the educational process and be a valued member of a sustainable society," she said.
The panel discussion, featuring four STEM professionals, was another highlight. They shared lessons and unexpected skills that have helped them succeed and highlighted the significance following one’s passions. One of the student attendees said the panel discussion was her favourite part of the day because there were so many different stories to hear.
"My interest in STEM began with my love of video games," said Dr Rhett Loban, Senior Lecturer at ACU.
"I started with a Gameboy, and it developed from there. However, the path wasn't straightforward. After high school, I studied arts and worked for the government, but I realised it wasn't for me. So, I returned to study information technology, focusing on networking and cybersecurity."
After earning his IT degree, Brett decided to pivot once more, this time pursuing his original passion: video games. "I went back to do my PhD, which looked at how we can learn through video games," he said.
Jonathan O’Dowd, Business Development Manager at CSIRO, also shared the importance of effective communications. From studying languages at high school and university to thinking about the impact communications can have in meetings, networking or reports.
"The information can be very complex, and those who don't work in STEM can find it difficult to understand." He explains that it's vital to be able to tell the story.
Dr. Anita Hafner, CSIRO Early Research Career Postdoctoral Fellow in Space and Astronomy, also passed on some valuable advice. "Expose yourself to as many different experiences as possible," she said. "You never know where that spark of interest will come from.
"Don't just attend events that align with your current interests; explore those you think you're not interested in as well. You might find an unexpected aspect that you enjoy. Ultimately, finding something you're passionate about is what will carry you through in life."
The WithSTEMYouCan Careers Expo highlights the importance of showcasing STEM careers to students in a hands-on and captivating manner, making the subjects come alive and demonstrating their real-world relevance.
Rebecca Ferris, Science Head Teacher at Elderslie High School, attended the event for the first time and noted the students' excitement about exploring STEM careers. She also shared the challenges in getting students engaged in STEM.
These include a lack of self-belief, the misconception that STEM is beyond their abilities, and the belief that a university degree and a long, linear path are necessary to work in STEM fields. "Making small connections with industry, breaking down those barriers and misconceptions is very important for our students," she said.
Our Collaborators
