Texas Border Business
By Joey Gomez
MCALLEN, Texas – South Texas College is taking the lead in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education with its 6th annual STEM Summit.
In a region that is known as one of the most STEM-centered areas in the country, more than 250 students gathered to not only meet and network with experts in STEM industries but also allowed them to learn about and explore STEM career opportunities.
STEM Careers are some of the most in-demand and highest paid jobs in the country with a median salary of $101,650 compared to $46,680 for non-STEM occupations according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Through events like the Summit, STC is enabling students to network with foremost experts in STEM fields before they enter the workforce.
STC Dean of Math, Science, Information Technology and Bachelor Programs, Ali Esmaeili, Ed.D., said he travels across the country talking about the college’s role at the forefront of rapid expansion of STEM-related careers in the region.
“Our purpose here at our STEM Summit is to encourage students and whoever else is interested in STEM to attend, to share their ideas, to ask bold questions so we can expand the field of science. This is a great opportunity to interact and learn about new ideas especially in the areas of things like allied health in our region for example that really require a strong STEM foundation for students,” Esmaeili said. “I go across the nation telling everyone that our region is the most STEM-focused area in the state due to the partnership between our school districts and colleges and universities, and now with the expansion of medical schools and other major developments like SpaceX and LNG at the Port of Brownsville.”
Middle school and high school students from across the Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio attended the Summit and participated in numerous breakout sessions that exposed them to STEM opportunities.
The Summit also included information tables with student clubs and visiting universities as well as breakout sessions with foremost experts in their fields.
“Here at STC, we pride ourselves on the fact that every student who graduates from our workforce programs have immediate opportunities. That is our mission,” said STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D. “We work to ensure that students are immediately hired into a high paying and advanced jobs in STEM and advanced fields. This is what we deliver.”
The event’s keynote speaker included Amy Bonka, Ph.D., chief conservation officer for Sea Turtle Inc., who leads the rehabilitation of sea turtles and increased research at the company’s brand-new sea turtle care facility, which opened recently at South Padre Island.
Along with Bonka, speakers included Dr. Juan Bustamente, director of Recruitment from Texas A&M University Health- Irma Rangel School of Pharmacy; Robert Bazan Jr., chemical engineer and project manager at Neuman and Esser USA Inc.; and Matthew Navarro, cybersecurity analyst with the city of McAllen.
“We are striving for a world with a thriving sea turtle population, and we want to do that through applied research, medical care, conservation and education,” Bonka told students in attendance. “STEM is very much a part of what we do, so it’s exciting to talk to you about sea turtles and our company, and to let all of you know that we do have internship opportunities if you are interested in being more hands-on either through medical care or with a conservation team.”
Maria Hernandez, a student from Achieve Early College High School in McAllen who was attending the Summit with a group of her peers said she was attending with the hopes of finding resources and opportunities that could help her as she looks into a future career in veterinary medicine.
“This event helps with opportunities and to help us discover all new possibilities when it comes to STEM,” Hernandez said. “As I look into a future career as a veterinarian, I know this helping me.”
STC student Mauricio Sanchez, who will be completing an associate degree in Biology this summer said he looked at the Summit as an opportunity to network with professionals like Bonka as he considers the next step in his education.
“I am here like many others to decide on where I go next and with the hope that the next step in my education and career continues what I started with regards to my major,” Sanchez said. “STEM is always a great opportunity because the list of high-paying jobs is near endless. This helps us decide what we want to become.”
