IGNITE Kickoff
Hi All:
We had a wonderful presentation at Bethel High School. We had to move our event from our Career Center to the library because of the amazing turnout—we had 45 girls show up! I wish we could have had more time, because the speakers were amazing and the students had great questions.
To our presenters—the comment made most from the students was that they loved your personal stories. They said that they were inspired that many of you were not “A” students, but were still able to achieve your dreams and have fascinating and well paying careers. Your enthusiasm for what you do definitely reached out and touched our students.
I want to thank our very special speakers:
- Raelene Sanders – Microsoft
- Layla Driscoll – Microsoft
- Susan Forney – Microsoft
- Marla Mingee – Microsoft
- Chris Kaatz – Russell Investments
- Karlene Seime-Noble, Russell Investments
- Adrienne Ione – Institute of Technology, University of Washington Tacoma
- Martine DeCock – Institute of Technology, University of Washington Tacoma
You were all wonderful speakers-enthusiastic about your story, well prepared, and connected with the young women.
A special thanks goes to Cathi Rodgveller for her advice. I also want to thank the staff at Bethel High School who helped promote, set up, and clean up the event. Taleah Bradley and her students, Doris Hominda, Robin Hodges, Molly Schelbert, Dianna Main and her photographer, George Aszklar, Michael Silvernail’s students who blew up our balloons, and our librarian Morgen Larson, who let us switch our meeting place at the last minute.
Now take a look at the comments from the girls, who always say it best!!
- I liked learning what I needed to have to get involved in Computer Science.
- Finding out that it is possible to go to college and get a good career even if the odds aren’t with you.
- I liked that we had a variety of different speakers. I got a lot of information.
- The most interesting thing I heard today was that most of the people who talked did not want a job in technology when they were in high school.
- I enjoyed hearing about everyone’s journey. It was interesting that they didn’t start out on their current path.
- That you don’t always have to know exactly what you want to do in IT careers. You can change a lot!!
- I didn’t know you can keep changing what you do within a company.
- The most interesting thing I learned is you can still succeed in a technology career without being a genius in math, or school in general.
- I found it interesting that big IT companies have such a variety of jobs.
- Personal experience from each speaker made me feel like I could accomplish my dream.
- The most interesting thing I heard was how the speakers were and are just regular people like us! It’s ok to make mistakes, because once you realize them, you CAN fix them.
- The most interesting thing I heard today was how even when you think it’s hard to get a career in technology, if you work hard enough, and jump on opportunities you can get where you want to be.
Well, what a fabulous event. I want to thank everyone who helped make it possible.
Sincerely,
Marilyn Allbritton
Chapter Coordinator
Bethel High School