Arizona State University inspires middle school students to explore careers across microelectronics and other industries

Middle school students ended their year on a high note by exploring the ever-growing possibilities within their future careers and microtech industries. ASU Career Services and ASU Prep took students on an adventure into their futures for a day at Cecil Shamley Elementary School through a variety of workshops and presentations that integrated tech and aspirational thinking.

Career day at Cecil Shamley offered presentations surrounding positive thinking, interest exploration and activities related to the microelectronics industry. Some of these activities included paper circuits, which allowed students to create their own LED circuits through understanding semiconductor networks. Other activities included virtual experiences that helped them uncover different careers.

Beyond thought-provoking presentations, ASU Prep led workshops merging technology and creativity to showcase the microelectronic industry.

“Students have been so excited to see the connection of the copper tape with LED light,” Director for National Partnerships at ASU Prep Global, Meg Grothman, said.”You really see their faces light up when they see the connection and what the circuit is, and that's exactly what we want to do.”

Illuminated faces of awe and wonder were met with smiles and gasps as classrooms of middle school students figured out the inner workings of tech pieces like semiconductors. Once their LED lights illuminated with color, each student was invited to turn them into art with markers and paper.

“We modified it today to be geared toward microelectronics, so in each session students do a different activity,” Senior Associate Director of Career Services at ASU, Beverly Johnson, said. “They're meant to be quick and engaging, but to get them thinking about all of the different careers involved in the microelectronics space.”

Thanks to grant funding, ASU Prep is launching semiconductor focused lessons across the Pendergast School District. As this initiative grows, they hope to bring it to other K-12 districts to provide experience for this lucrative STEM path.

“There are 80,000+ high paying jobs coming to Arizona in the semiconductor industry so we are focused on preparing students for the future workforce,” Assistant Director of Strategic Operations at ASU Prep, Lisa Molloy, said.

Not all presentations were about the microelectronics industry, many engaged the students to consider how different industries could fit into other careers, such as those in business or production.

“We do know that we have to start earlier with students now to start thinking about careers, because they actually have a lot of autonomy in high school to be making choices that can affect their opportunities in the future,” Johnson said.

Helping students with their careers early on ensures their likelihood of success and strengthens their network. Opening up the conversation regarding careers and interests allows students to see themselves in the future at a university such as ASU.

Johnson underscored how exploring students’ interests and careers go hand-in-hand and can ultimately set a student up for success in their high school years.

“We want to start talking to them earlier, here in middle school, so that when they get to high school they have already started thinking about it,” Johnson said. “We're not asking any seventh graders to pick their direction right now, but to start thinking about what they're interested in and how they can set themselves up for success in their high school experience, so that they have a lot of opportunities when they hopefully graduate.”

As they enter high school, students will have to choose from different electives and extracurriculars, providing the perfect time for families to encourage their learners to engage with their interests and dive head first into their curiosity. It’s important for young students to understand that their future careers can be full of excitement and passionate opportunity.

“One of the stations that Career Services runs is focused on, what are our skills and what are our interests? And I think families can talk a lot about how those two things can be aligned so they can have a really productive, enjoyable life in the future workforce,” Johnson said.

Amethyst, a student at Cecil Shamley School, said that career day made her feel even more prepared for her future in education.

“I already decided that I either want to be a kindergarten teacher, preschool teacher, or a daycare worker,” Amethyst said.

Whether students are sure about their future careers or not, Arizona State University is there for them to see the various opportunities that lay in their interests and beyond.

“It's really important for them to see that there are opportunities in life,” Cecil Shamley School teacher Bree Podkowka said. “You know, it doesn't matter where you start, but it's where you're going.”