APRIL 16, 2015, SAN BERNARDINO (NNS) – A team of female Sailors from Navy Recruiting District San Diego encouraged more than 200 female high school and college students to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics April 10.
Recruiters and command support personnel participated in San Bernardino Valley College’s 10th annual female STEM event. The event focuses on the achievements and contributions of women in mathematics and the sciences by introducing students to individuals who have applied both disciplines to their chosen professions.
The day began with a key note speaker followed by a panel discussion with seven women from various STEM backgrounds such as; pharmaceutical, biomedical engineering, computer programing and information technology.
Information Systems Technician 1st Class Tiffany Hill, from Fort Worth, Texas, was the Navy’s lead panel speaker. She spoke about her 15 years’ experience in the technology field and using her skills while deployed to Afghanistan and on the mine countermeasure support ship USS Inchon (MCS 12). Hill currently is one of three IT specialists that supports 270 personnel with all their computer needs within the command’s 210,000 square mile recruiting area.
“STEM is where women can thrive the most,” said Hill. “It’s a male dominated field and with technology changing every time you blink your eyes, it’s a field that keeps you intrigued. There’s always a chance to learning something new.”
After the panel discussion students then choose to attend breakout sessions where they could learn more about each panelist’s career field.
Thirty students attended two breakout sessions to learn more about the Navy and the role women play in the service. The breakout session was opened by playing the Navy’s “Women in the Navy” video to help open a discussion forum for any questions they had.
“You could see their eyes light up when we showed them how much women play big leadership roles in the Navy,” said Chief Navy Counselor Marlene Armijo, division 8 leading chief petty officer and one of five breakout session speakers. “I think it also solidified it with five female Sailors from all different backgrounds speaking to them as well as showing them the support we get from the Navy.”
This was the first time that NRD personnel were able to participate in this event and seek opportunities to interact with the community, as well as enlist the best and brightest young men and women to succeed in today’s high-tech Navy environment.