This week at Southern Union State Community College, 10 female high school students are trying on “male-dominated” professions as part of SUSCC’s Girl Power Camp.
BE&K Construction and Southern Union partnered and created the camp that strives to introduce high school girls to career opportunities in technical fields.
The camp was offered to upcoming 10th, 11th and 12th grade students.
“(The camp) is designed to make girls aware of job opportunities in fields that are non-traditional jobs for women,” said Dr. Mary Jean White, dean of technology at SUSCC.
The camp will conclude on Friday with a graduation ceremony and celebration.
The camp has two main goals, White said.
First, to get girls interested in careers they have never thought of before.
And second, to fill a shortage of skilled workers needed for technical jobs, White said.
“Women are an untapped resource,” White said.
On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the 10 young women got hands-on experience in machine shop technology, automotive mechanics, automotive collision repair, computer science, electricity/electronics and manufacturing technology.
On Thursday and Friday, the students will take workshops on air conditioning and refrigeration, welding and engineering graphics and design.
“The girls have responded really well,” White said. “It’s the first time we’ve done this camp.”
The camp not only introduces the students to new career paths, but also to the SUSCC campus.
“(It is) something to get them on the campus, to let them know what is here,” White said.
Carlton Jones, the chair of technical programs and the industrial electricity/electronics instructor who taught the girls Wednesday, said women are just as adept at technological careers as men.
“It’s not about the brawn anymore, it’s what’s in the grey matter,” he said.
Jeneé Reese, an upcoming senior at Auburn High School, said her favorite part was the automotive collision repair workshop, and learning how to change a car tire.
“Basically they are trying to tell us that a girl can do a man’s job,” she said.
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