LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – As the years go on, the industry in our area continues to grow as does the need for new employees.
The Lake Area Industry Alliance and Southwest Louisiana Women in Industry have partnered to give scholarships to young women interested in STEM fields.
“College is really expensive, and this is really helping me pursue my dreams in the STEM field,” said Tulona Hossain.
Hossain is one of four young women who earned a scholarship – among the others are Kahlia Clark, Taylor Hutchinson and Lily Boyd.
“It was really validating in the fact that we would do well in this field and also that we have support going into this field,” Boyd said.
This opportunity began with Southwest Louisiana Women in Industry – they were founded in the Fall of 2023 and hosted an inaugural forum earlier this year that was designed to expose and encourage women to STEM careers.
“We brought in 65 students, female students, juniors and seniors in high school from Calcasieu Parish and Cameron parishes. We had over 100 volunteers. We had 50 subject matter experts come in from local industries to share their experiences,” said Stephanie Huck of SWLA Women in Industry.
Huck says the purpose of it all was to showcase just how many opportunities are available right here at home.
“We got to do mock interviews where we brought our resumes from home and had them reviewed by someone in the industry and it was really nice getting that opportunity and just being supported by someone who really understood us,” Hossain explained.
“For me it also showed that women are being more valued than we have in the past and now we’re getting the rightful value that we deserve,” Boyd added.
The girls were able to speak to women like LaDonna Randle – who was born and raised in Southwest Louisiana and has worked in the industry for around 16 years.
“So there’s a lot of young ladies who may not realize all of the job opportunities that are available to them they may think that ‘Oh well that’s more of a male dominated field but I think part of the change is the interest in those jobs and knowing that there is any job out there they can do as well,” Randle said.
Executive Director of LAIA Jim Rock said he is excited to see what the future holds with the next generation.
“As a former plant manager, we appreciate talent no matter where it comes from and there is a lot of talent to be had, there’s absolutely no job in these facilities that a woman can’t do,” said Rock.
Southwest Louisiana Women in Industry hope to make their forum an annual event – expanding their reach each year.
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