Whittier Tech Students Network at Massachusetts Girls in Trade Conference and Career Fair
A total of 22 Whittier Tech students attended the Girls In Trade conference. (Photo Courtesy Whittier Tech)
Superintendent Maureen Lynch is pleased to announce that Whittier Tech juniors and seniors attended the Massachusetts Girls in Trade Conference and Career Fair last week.
On Wednesday, Nov. 9, 22 Whittier Tech students attended the event at IBEW Local 103 in Dorchester accompanied by Engineering Instructor Katie Szymaszek, Guidance Counselor Rachael Rossi and Vocational Coordinator Amanda Crosby.
The event is designed to inspire female students to pursue nontraditional careers in the trades historically pursued by men, and provide them with support and useful resources. At the event, students networked with female professionals from various trades, learned about the process of applying to the union and explored job opportunities.
“It was a great opportunity to network with other females in the trades. I enjoyed the session where panelists of tradespeople shared their experiences working in the trades as women and offered advice as we start our own journey,” said Adail Saenz, a senior from Haverhill studying Computer Aided Design/Drafting.
Students also heard advice from keynote speaker Maria Zammitti, a 2020 graduate of Whittier Tech, who has a successful career in the plumbing industry.
"It is important for our female students to know that they can excel in any trade regardless of whether that trade is traditionally dominated by men," Superintendent Lynch said. "Attending events like these gives our students the opportunity to connect with other women in the industry, hear about ways to succeed and envision themselves in the trades. Thank you to all the women who supported this event and provided thoughtful advice."
Vocational areas are considered nontraditional if individuals of one gender comprise fewer than 25% of those employed in that field.
About Massachusetts Girls in Trade
Massachusetts Girls in Trade was launched in 2015 by a partnership of educational, governmental and union organizations with a shared goal of supporting and encouraging female career and technical education students and alumnae to pursue careers in the building trades. The group’s mission is to help female students in middle school and high school — as well as recent high school graduates — to learn about and start careers in high-paying, high-skilled union construction trades.”
Seniors Felicia Macdonald of Amesbury and Jasmine Dang of Haverhill attended the Massachusetts Girls in Trade Conference and Career Fair. (Photo Courtesy Whittier Tech)
Whittier Tech students explored job opportunities while at the Girls In Trade conference. (Photo Courtesy Whittier Tech)
Guidance Counselor Rachael Rossi with the Keynote Speaker, Maria Zammitti. Zammitti is a Whittier grad, class of 2020. She works for the Plumbers and Gasfitters, Local 12, JC Higgins, Apprentice (Year 2). (Photo Courtesy Whittier Tech)
Seniors Adail Saenz of Haverhill, Emilia Brown of Ipswich, and Lana Viola of Haverhill. (Photo courtesy of Whittier Tech)