Texas Border Business
McAllen, Texas – The Business, Public Safety, and Technology Division at South Texas College held its Women in Technology event dedicated to promoting careers non-traditionally held by females.
Hundreds of community members, along with current and prospective students attended the annual event, which included information booths, hands-on displays, equipment, demonstrations, and a fashion show highlighting today’s trends from various career fields.
“It’s important because it provides more information about the various opportunities we would never even think that exist out there for women,” said Angelita Teniente, Information Technology Instructor, and Coordinator of the annual event. “In our division, we have a lot of different programs that are very non-traditional in terms of women enrollment, but there are so many possibilities for women. That’s why we made it our mission to inform them about those opportunities.”
This year’s event included guest speaker, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge LJ Gioeni, who used a background in criminal justice and degree in biology to obtain a career in forensics. A former unit chief for the FBI’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Sciences Unit (CBRNSU), Gioeni was also among the first female agents to join the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, is a former Officer of the Year, and received the FBI Director’s Award for Scientific Achievement.
“I decided to do something very differently when I moved my family from Quantico, Virginia where I was a forensic DNA examiner for many years,” Gioeni told attendees at the event. “This is a great opportunity for you to participate in different types of investigations using your skillset, and using your science and technology degrees.”
The Business & Technology Division at STC offers a wide range of programs and degree options including Welding, Automotive and Diesel Technology, Heating, Ventilation, A/C and Refrigeration (HVAC&R).
“This event is really important because we want to expose our students to the possibilities out there,” said Sara Lozano, Assistant Professor and Program Chair for STC’s Architectural & Engineering Design Technology Program.
“Many times, people may have misconceptions of what a man and a woman should have a career in, and this is our opportunity to expose them to the different career paths they can take right here at STC,” Lozano said. “They can receive their certificate or associate degree, and those will be their stepping stones to continue their education or into the workforce. It is really an opportunity to expose our students and break down these misconceptions they may have.”
Anyone interested in learning more about the programs available in the Business and Technology Division can visit https://bt.southtexascollege.edu/
