Andesa at the ‘Girls in STEM’ Symposium

On October 17, 2024, Andesa had the honor of participating in the ‘Girls in STEM Symposium’ at Kutztown University. Hosted by the university’s departments of Computer Science & Information Technology, Biology, Geography, Mathematics, and Physical Sciences, this event is designed to inspire high school girls to explore and pursue careers in STEM.

This year marked Andesa’s fourth time participating in this incredible event, alongside sixteen other local organizations committed to inspiring the next generation of talent. Representing Andesa were Minza Salman (Client Experience Manager) and Abbie Roberts (Systems Engineer), who joined me in connecting with students to discuss our company, their STEM aspirations, and the unique paths that brought us to the symposium. Instead of a full recap, we’d like to share our personal reflections:

Abbie’s Perspective:

“This was such a fun and well-organized event—kudos to Kutztown for hosting it! I wish opportunities like this existed when I was in high school. The students I spoke with were bright and excited about their futures. While not everyone had questions, the ones who did were incredibly thoughtful in their inquiries. I had a couple of great conversations with students interested in computer science, and their enthusiasm and passion were undeniable. I can already picture them as star developers!”

Jess’s Perspective:

“I was struck by how diverse the girls’ interests were. STEM wasn’t a major focus when I was in school, and this event opened my eyes to how broad and impactful these fields are today. Initially, I wondered how I would relate to students pursuing careers like software development or engineering, as those aren’t paths I followed. But there was always a relatable thread in every conversation—whether it was about navigating career choices, building confidence, or staying curious. Those connections made our discussions more personal and, I hope, meaningful for the students.”

Minza’s Perspective:

“This was my second year participating in the symposium, and I noticed a shift in students’ interests compared to last year. While many previously expressed interest in medicine, I saw more students curious about computer science and cybersecurity this year. One of my favorite moments was hearing a panelist, an IT leader at St. Luke’s Health Network, repeatedly emphasize the idea of ‘owning your career.’ She encouraged students to discover what makes them happy and to build relationships and networks to support their journey. Her message was empowering and impactful—a true highlight of the day.”

Our Takeaways

Although the day was short, it left us with an overwhelming sense of pride and fulfillment. Engaging with these bright, passionate students was both energizing and inspiring. While they may have walked away with insights and advice from us, we left equally enriched by their enthusiasm and immense potential.

At Andesa, we are deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of STEM leaders. Events like the ‘Girls in STEM’ Symposium reinforce why this mission is so important: the future of innovation relies on the encouragement and support we provide to these talented young individuals today.

We’re already excited for next year!