On July 30, the World Affairs Council’s TechGirls program and IGNITE Worldwide partnered on a Field Trip to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure for a hands-on, immersive field trip experience. 10th and 11th-grade girls, part of a global STEM exchange, explored careers in technology through interactive presentations, a panel discussion, and an insider’s tour of Oracle’s offices.
The visit kicked off with engaging sessions led by Oracle professionals Jennifer Bus, Tricia Fisk, and Esha Pendharkar, who shared insights into their work and how Oracle powers global cloud infrastructure. Students then had the chance to rotate through small group presentations, which allowed for more intimate Q&A and personalized conversations.
One of the highlights of the day was the panel, featuring both interns and seasoned engineers: Rimika Dhara, Yashashvi Dave, Raven Robertson, and Grace Hutapea. The Panelists shared their unique paths into tech and answered thoughtful student questions about career readiness, AI and data security, and how to get involved early in the tech world. Students especially appreciated hearing directly from interns who were just a few years ahead of them.
Panelists offered valuable advice from a women-in-STEM perspective: embrace failure, ask questions, and remember there’s no one “right” way into tech. Students were encouraged to find their own unique path, attend career fairs, and never hesitate to speak up or try something new.
“Visiting Oracle and hearing the stories of women professionals there had a strong inspirational impact on me. They gave me hope that if I am not sure about my passion, I can always change it and be as successful as they are. I really enjoyed learning about cybersecurity the safety box the woman invented and talking to other professionals in the engineering field.”
IGNITE Student
“The speakers and professionals were so passionate about their jobs and opportunities in STEM fields, so I really enjoyed listening to their experiences and learning how they overcame some obstacles and became successful. I loved all of the topics related to STEM that were presented today, and some topics, like opportunities in the cybersecurity sphere, are brand-new for me, so the day was super informative.”
IGNITE Student
“Everyone helped so much and answered a lot of our questions, which made me inspired. I loved learning about interns and their projects. Also, I was happy to have their contacts to reach out to them for further advice.”
IGNITE Student
STUDENTS SURVEYED FOLLOWING PARTICIPATION IN THIS EVENT REPORTED...
100%
INTERESTED IN STEM
100%
KNOW MORE ABOUT STEM CAREERS & THE BENEFITS OF WORKING IN STEM
100%
FEEL MORE CONFIDENT
IN PURSUING STEM
94%
GAINED PERSPECTIVE & FEEL MORE HOPEFUL ABOUT THE FUTURE
Additional Student Feedback:
“I learned a lot about software development and interviews. I also learned about internship programs and I was inspired by them. I really enjoyed meeting with interns and they shared their pathways.” – IGNITE Student
Thank you to our IGNITE Volunteers and Educators:
- Jennifer Bus
- Tricia Fisk
- Esha Pendharkar
- Rimika Dhara
- Yashashvi Dave
- Raven Robertson
- Grace Hutapea
- Kirsten Holte
- Anusha Manur
- Marie Sorell
- Lucy Kovach
About IGNITE Worldwide:
IGNITE Worldwide is a 501(c)3 nonprofit STEM education organization that aims to change gender and racial equity in STEM permanently and systematically. We work directly with teachers during the school day to provide programming that promotes gender equity and representation in STEM academics and careers. Through our award-winning program, IGNITE provides engaging, hands-on events that connect students with STEM professionals from industry leaders from around the world. Learn more at igniteworldwide.org.