Ӱֱ State College's Office of Career Development will host a "WINS" (Women in Non-traditional Studies) FutureBound Career Day, Friday, March 27, from 8:30 a.m.-2:15 p.m., at the Orvis Activities Center on the Ӱֱ campus.
This annual career exploration day is held for 10th grade girls interested in learning more about non-traditional occupations and careers (non-traditional occupations are defined as those with fewer than 25 percent female workers).
Scores of girls and their guidance counselors from area high schools, including Ӱֱ-Almond, Andover, Arkport, Belfast, Bolivar-Richburg, Canisteo-Greenwood, Cuba-Rushford, Fillmore, Friendship, Genesee Valley, Hornell, Jasper-Troupsburg, Scio, Wellsville, and Whitesville are expected to attend and participate in a variety of workshop sessions in technology, math, and science conducted primarily by Ӱֱ State College professors.
Some of this year's offerings include Design with Unigraphics (Steve Martinelli, ASC professor, Computerized Design and Manufacturing Department, and Praxair Inc. representative) where participants will learn about the latest technology in Drafting/CAD: UG (Unigraphics). Meet an industry rep and ASC alum from an international company: Praxair Inc. Bridge Building (Cari Durbin, Department of Transportation), where students will be introduced to the world of construction! They will take a simple set of plans and use them to put the bridge parts together-with no parts left over. Concrete Ingredients & Properties (Erin Vitale, ASC assistant professor, Civil Engineering Technology Department), where participants will learn about the key ingredients in concrete and make their own "sundae" with cement, water, and aggregates! Fingerprinting Techniques (Melinda Rounds, ASC university police officer): Fingerprinting plays an important role in the field of criminal justice. Students will learn the proper techniques of fingerprinting. Name that Animal (Victoria Bolton, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor and chair, Agriculture and Horticulture Department) will lead participants in meeting and identifying a wide variety of live animals, reptiles, etc. Digital Media & Animation (Tammy Renee Brackett, assistant professor, Computer Imaging and Architectural Engineering Technology Department), where students will work with Adobe Flash to create a simple animation. Information Technology (Dr. Dana Kruser, assistant professor and internship coordinator, Computer Information Technology Department): The Human Factor: Information Technology is NOT just computers! Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is the discipline concerned with the design, evaluation, and implementation of computing systems for safe and effective human use. This session will provide a brief explanation of how and why this field developed -- and why it is an interesting and challenging field to enter. Toothpick Architecture (Joy Carlson, professor, Computer Imaging and Architectural Engineering Technology Department), where students will build a structure with toothpicks and a glue gun. Electrical Jeopardy, Touchscreen Xylophone, and Tic-Tac-Toe (Glenn Brubaker, ASC assistant professor, Electrician, Computer and Robotics Technician Department), where participants will have fun playing music and games with the touchscreen display.
Participants will be able to visit various career "stations" to get an insider's view of this technologically exciting array of careers. Lunch will be provided on-campus for participants at 12:25 p.m.
This year students will be treated to keynote speaker NYS Sen. Catharine M. Young (R-Olean).
Sen. Catharine "Cathy" Young has an established record of civic, professional, and volunteer achievements.
Elected to the Senate in 2005, she immediately took on a leadership post as chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, working to strengthen New York State's top industry. Sen. Young, who grew up on a third-generation dairy and crops farm, has been recognized by the NYS Farm Bureau for a perfect voting record in support of agricultural issues.
The mother of three grown children, Sen. Young understands the need for an excellent education system, and has been an advocate for fair and equitable school aid funding for upstate schools and serves on the Higher Education Committee. Her standing committee assignments for 2009 include Environmental Conservation, Health, Housing, Insurance, and Transportation. She also serves on the Construction and Community Development and Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities committees. She co-chairs the Administrative Regulations Review Commission to reduce regulations and red tape that impede job growth.
Sen. Young served in the Assembly from 1999 until her election to the Senate. In the Assembly, she was named to several top leadership positions, including Assistant Minority Leader Pro Tempore. Prior to her NYS service, Sen. Young served on the Cattaraugus County Legislature, achieving a leadership post as Majority Whip within her 18 months of service.
Sen. Young has also taken on numerous assignments, including the Task Force on the State of New York Agriculture, the Sex Crimes and Women and Children Task Force, the Task Force on Educational Standards, the Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, the NYS Armed Forces Legislative Caucus, and the Nursing Shortage Task Force. Sen. Young has become a recognized voice on tax relief, economic growth, job creation, and government reform. Additionally, she has authored numerous laws to protect families.
For her accomplishments, she was recognized in 1997 through Business First's 40 Under 40 Awards, an honor given to outstanding leaders under age 40 in Western New York. The Senator has also received the J. Henry Smith Distinguished Public Service Award from Ӱֱ University, the Fredonia College Foundation Distinguished Service Award, United University Professions' 2008 Friend of SUNY Award, the Friend of the Green Industry Award from the NYS Turfgrass Association, and special recognitions from the New York Beef Producers' Association, the New York Apple Industry, and New York Farm Bureau, among others.
Sen. Young studied at SUNY Fredonia and was graduated magna cum laude from St. Bonaventure University, earning a bachelor's degree in mass communication. Sen. Young serves as a Major in the Civil Air Patrol, the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary that performs vital missions for the federal government. Additionally, she is a member of the Hinsdale American Legion Auxiliary.
Pre-registration with students' "home" teacher or counselor is necessary. If you're interested in learning more about encouraging young women to pursue non-traditional careers or if you would like to know more about WINS FutureBound, please contact Maureen Sibble at (607) 587-4377 (sibblem@alfredstate.edu).
WINS FutureBound is an annual event coordinated by the Office of Career Development at Ӱֱ State College. The goal of this event is to promote interest in math/science/technology careers-career paths that are typically underrepresented by females. Support for the development/production of this event is provided by a gender equity grant under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act Amendments of 1990 administered by the NYS Education Department.