Accenture Field Trip with Marysville Pilchuck and Legacy High Schools

On April 23, 2025, students from Marysville Pilchuck High School and Legacy High School participated in an IGNITE Field Trip to Accenture’s Kirkland office, where they engaged in an immersive, hands-on experience centered around innovation, problem-solving, and career inspiration. Led by a team of Volunteers from Accenture and Amazon, the event was designed to help students explore how AI and technology can shape the future—and their own career paths.

Students began the day with a tour of the Accenture office, getting a glimpse into a real corporate environment and learning about the company’s work. They then moved into small groups for a collaborative design thinking activity focused on generative AI (GenAI). After a brief introduction to GenAI and its applications, students brainstormed answers to the challenge question: “How might we improve the lives of high school students by using AI?” The activity encouraged creativity and collaboration, with students grouping their ideas into affinity clusters and presenting their top concepts. Ideas ranged from an AI-powered career planning tool, to a school safety system using threat detection, to a homework assistant that could offer context and examples for difficult assignments.

After lunch, the group gathered for a panel discussion with two women leaders from Accenture–Rena McGourty and Florcy Morisset–and two from Amazon–Blaize LaFleur and Elizabeth Berg. Panelists shared their diverse career journeys, touching on topics such as changing paths, building resilience, and staying true to yourself. Elizabeth spoke about being the first in her family to go to college and the doors that education opened for her. Florcy described how her early work in the arts led her to strategy and tech. Rena reflected on balancing a demanding career while raising two young children. Blaize emphasized that your major or background doesn’t have to define your future. The students asked thoughtful questions, curious about what each Panelist studied, how they found their roles, and what advice they would give to aspiring professionals.

Educator Michele Richardson noted how impactful the experience was for students, particularly the chance to work through a real-world challenge and hear honest, empowering stories from professionals. She shared that the students felt truly valued and left the event with a stronger sense of what’s possible for their futures.