Why are you involved with IGNITE Worldwide?
IGNITE is a model of how to harness the power of women to change the future of science and tech, two of the biggest male-dominated fields impacting the entire globe (!) IGNITE helps us get young girls and female-identified youth out into the world exploring workplaces, careers and possibilities that they may have never considered before. Together we can focus on curiosity and exploration (fun) to work toward inclusion and visibility (the future).
How has IGNITE Worldwide inspired you?
IGNITE inspires me by just getting to the point. What’s the problem? A lack of women in STEM. What’s the approach? Women connecting with young women to turn the tide. It’s simple and effective.
What would you like our wider community to know about IGNITE Worldwide?
IGNITE is creating inroads and experiences to connect young girls and female-identified youth to careers in STEM. The approach is straight-forward and student-centered, but it is not the sole work of women to increase visibility and inclusion. If you work in STEM, especially if you are a man working in STEM, commit to hosting a group of IGNITE girls and let them know what’s up with women leading the work within your company or org. And then use whatever sphere of influence you have to ask your supervisors, interview teams and talent management/HR to set diversity hiring goals and make a real commitment to hire more women, lesbian/queer and trans applicants.
Bio
At her core, Emily Aldama is an educator and performing artist who believes in experiential learning and the magic of San Francisco. As Supervisor of SFUSD Career Pathways, Emily works to connect high school youth to lucrative employment. In her role, she leads the growth and expansion of high school career programs, staff/teacher development and financial resourcing to provide SFUSD’s diverse and talented youth an onramp to a career in San Francisco. Before leading the Career Pathways team, Emily was an arts teacher and college counselor. Because of these experiences, Emily brings a passion for design thinking, listening and creative problem-solving to teen education and workforce development. Emily received her B.A. in K-12 Arts Education and Spanish from Ball State University and obtained her Administrative Services Credential through UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Education.