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‘We Are It’ showcases careers

CHAMPION — Eighth-grade girls from several Trumbull County school districts had the opportunity to see different IT careers as part of the “We Are It” program held at Trumbull Career and Technical Center.

Rachel Gensburg, career development coordinator, said the program was offered to more than 90 eighth-grade girls from 14 school districts.

“This lets girls see the careers such as graphic design, computer networking and engineering. These are fields that traditionally have fewer women,” she said.

Gensburg said the girls each attended four sessions to experience hands-on activities.

“The engineering lab was a new experience for many of them,” she said.

Cara DeToro, academic supervisor, said female staff conducted the sessions and each told of the different careers they have had.

Staff members Rhonda Snyder, Terri Fleming and Cindy Hickey worked in other professions before teaching.

While this program was geared to girls, a career program will be held in the spring for boys.

Gensburg said a current TCTC student of Lakeview, studying multimedia, Rachel Gorman, became interested after experiencing girls career day as an eighth-grader.

Leaira Veltri, 13, of LaBrae, said the day was interesting because she likes graphic design and drawing and said she wants to do something in an art field.

Grace Barnhart, 14, of LaBrae, said, “This was very eye opening. It lets you think outside the box of different career opportunities.”

Britni Storvoli, 15, of LaBrae, said “It was a really good learning experience. It was a nice way they showcased careers that woman are not in as much.”

Engineering instructor Terri Fleming said the students often ask her why she went into the field and what she likes about it.

Fleming instructed students in making plastic polymers. She said she wanted to have hands-on problem-solving activities.

Trinity Johnson, 13, of LaBrae, said she’s interested in a career in computers.

“I like the 3-D printers and other equipment,” she said.

Alivia Dillon, 13, of LaBrae, said she wanted to attend the event to see what career opportunities are available.

Media specialist Laura Henning showed girls how to find career information on computers by using such things as Ohio Means Jobs and virtual reality computers.

Snyder provided guidance on using care putting personal information online or on shared computers.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com

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