IGNITE School Presentations

Ignite presentations are the “heart and soul” of Ignite because they are usually the first experience that students have with the program. The presentation usually involves 3 or 4 professional women who work in technology and engineering for local companies. Now, these companies do not have to be “technology” companies. In fact, we encourage a broad spectrum of companies from hospitals to newspapers to the local library, so the students can see how technology is a part of their everyday lives.

During the hour long or so presentation, each women will tell their story about how they chose their career (or how their career chose them) and what they do on a daily basis. The floor is then opened up for questions. Typically, there are one or two students who come in dragging their feet. By the end, though, those are usually ones asking the most questions and becoming the most animated. It is like a light bulb went off their head because they have finally found a mentor who they can identify with and who understands their struggles.

While each woman’s story is unique, they all share the common theme of overcoming adversity, prejudice, or fear of “locked doors” to pursue jobs not traditionally held by women. Since women still hold less than 25 percent of engineering and technology jobs, hearing their success stories helps girls demystify the term “high-tech career,” and meeting the women puts a female face on success. The impact isn’t just felt by the students hearing the stories, but the storytellers themselves. As the women relate their journeys, they often gain new understanding of their own lives. Some realize for the first time just how far they have come since their own high school days, and this increased awareness unconsciously draws them closer to the students.