Twenty-four Houston-area high school students learned what it's like to work in Information Technology (IT) at ConocoPhillips during the 2023 Girls Talk Tech (GTT) IT Summer Program, held June 19-23 at ConocoPhillips Center.
Now in its third year, the GTT program enables students to gain insight and exposure to various technologies, career paths and industry opportunities. The 2023 program featured twice the usual number of participants, representing seven Houston-area high schools.
"Having more participants created an even livelier atmosphere," said Ashley Su, IT supervisor, Engineering and Capital Projects and IT Summer Program co-lead, "and it gave the girls a better chance to expand their networks and learn from each other."
On the technical front this year, the girls learned about Splunk, a cybersecurity tool; micro:bits, pocket-size computers used for basic coding and commands; Microsoft Power BI, a data analytics and visualization platform; virtual reality headsets; robots; drones; and 3D-printing.
For soft skills, the students participated in a resume-building presentation/workshop that taught them how to format their resumes and include pertinent information.
"Each girl left the workshop with a resume that would impress any college or potential employer,” said Kate Christenbury, advisor, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and program presenter.
To help students navigate the path ahead, ConocoPhillips interns and early-career employees gave advice on college majors, extracurricular activities, internships and transitioning from college to work.
And several of ConocoPhillips' female leaders stopped in to deliver inspirational speeches and share career advice, including Natacha Buchanan, Chief Diversity Officer; Annessa McKenzie, Chief Information Security Officer; Cassandra Corley, manager, Business Capabilities; and Pragati Mathur, Chief Digital & Information Officer.
To develop their communications skills, the girls learned how to prepare and deliver a presentation, using one of the technologies they learned about, with mentors guiding them through the process.
On the last day of the program, each pair presented their findings to an audience of students, parents and company leaders.
The presentations taught the girls how to work with a partner, market themselves, build real-world skills and experience what it's like to present in a corporate setting, said Cari Faulds, supervisor, Productivity Adoption and IT Summer Program co-lead.
"In taking questions from the audience," she said, "the girls got to be the subject-matter experts. It was a huge confidence builder for them.”
Gabriella Mariello, Rotational analyst, Security and IT Summer Program co-lead, said the GTT program not only exposes students to the various roles that exist inside an IT function, but also shows them the numerous educational pathways that can lead to an IT career.
“A lot of the students come into the program thinking that IT people just sit and code all day," she said. "Coding is important, but it’s just one of many jobs that you'll find in IT."
In addition to Girls Talk Tech swag and a commemorative tie-dyed T-shirt and bucket hat, the girls left this year's IT Summer Program with an appreciation for technology careers and confidence in their futures.
It takes a village to fulfill the Girls Talk Tech mission to educate, encourage and empower girls to pursue technology for the future. To that end, numerous volunteers, mentors, facilitators, tour guides, presenters and program leads all pitched in to help make this year's event a success.
