Storytelling Inspires Young Girls to Broaden Career Options

By now you've most likely heard of STEM, i.e., careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. There's another acronym that incorporates Arts into STEM and it's STE@M™. Co-authors Cari Lyn Vinci and Carleen MacKay have written a Playbook for TEENS in which young women of STE@M™ share their career-changing challenges, discoveries, actions and results. These young women prove that using knowledge of software or technology, engineering, art or math is required in almost all fields the new workplace demands.

Set aside endless graphs and tedious analytics. Instead, reflect upon the inspirational words and

imagery painted by powerful young women whose experiences foretell success at a time of great

workplace change. The story-tellers, successful pioneers in the new world of work, have written this beautifully illustrated book to – and for – you in your high school years. Their powerful words will inspire

the courageous, offer staying power to the ambitious and daring to those who have been held back

by misplaced fear the STE@M™ word sometime evokes.

For example, you’ll meet a young woman from a poor family whose parents did not encourage

thoughts of college and whose greatest ambition throughout much of her high school years was

to paint pictures on a pier in San Francisco. A teacher inspired her, mentored her and

encouraged her to explore the connections between science, art and life. She began to see other

options for her life. Unfortunately, life changing challenges in her family interfered with her

new-found ambitions. So, how did this young woman overcome life’s trials and find a new

direction filled with adventure, travel and exciting work? How did she become one of their real-life

models for today’s teens? How might she inspire you? Well…for those answers, you will

have to read the rest of her story. It’s in the book!

While the book is intended to inspire teens who are looking at preparing for a future unlike the

past; it is an equally important reading experience for teachers, parents and friends who are

travelers sharing the road to the future.

Top 5 Strategies for Moving Ahead

Are you looking for a promotion, but not getting anywhere? Try the strategies below to help you get up the next rung on the proverbial career ladder:

1. Find out what's going on and become part of it. What are the major trends affecting your industry, your organization, and your field? Join associations that relate to your field and industry to help you keep up with the changes in your company or job.
2. Manage your internal public relations campaign. Volunteer for your company's United Way or Blood Drive. This will help you be seen as a team player and allow you to meet people in other division and departments. Keep those above you apprised of your accomplishments.
3. Get the training you need. Do volunteer work, take courses, and learn a new technical skill to keep you marketable.
4. Develop a career plan for yourself, and gradually move in the right direction. Identify your long-term career goals so you can make career decisions that will help you achieve your goals.
5. Meet with your manager to get more mainstream assignments. Put together a list that includes in the left column, a list your job responsibilities. In the right-hand column, list your accomplishments on the job. For example, you could list that you have always been willing to take on extra work and help where it was needed. Let your boss know you are interested in getting some of the cutting edge assignments that are coming up.

Source: WorkSmarts: Be a Winner on the Job by Kate Wendleton and David Madison, Ph.D.