"I-Can" Discovered at GEM
Author: Isis Patrick (Veterinary Assistant, Class of 2026)
Editor: Kaylee Connolly (Health Assistant, Class of 2025)
My name is Isis, and I was one of six LCCTC sophomores who accepted the opportunity to travel to BC3 at Lawrence Crossing to attend the GEM Affair presentations, sponsored by the Lawrence County School to Work. GEM stands for Girls Engaging Mentors. We are all interested in a career path that includes a career in STEM and were told that we’d hear first-hand accounts of local path-paving women who are like-minded. Most of us thought, “Cool – at the very worst, we’d get out of a few hours spent at a desk for our Academic week.” Little did we know that we’d all leave the event inspired to pursue our future dreams.
The GEM event provides an opportunity for these mentor women to share their career experiences in the hopes that young women will feel empowered to continue studying in a non-traditional pathway. As a participant in the GEM program and a sophomore Veterinary Assistant student, my experience was terrific. In just a few short hours, I felt encouraged to pursue any career I wanted – regardless of my gender. According to the speakers, I learned that most jobs in their fields are male-dominated, but these powerful women didn’t let that stop them from pursuing a career that interested them.
There were many empowering women – Rose Fraley and Bobbie Myers work with the Ellwood Group to make airplane parts using hot metal. Also, chemistry professor, Dr. Funari, and her student Erica Cunningham from Westminister College spoke about studying to pursue a career in chemistry and gave us helpful tips to find success in a collegiate path. Angela Johnson who works as a senior accountant at Packer Thomas made me feel like career choices don’t need to be final; we should be flexible and allow ourselves the grace to select the way that fits what works best for us. Another presenter, Heather Saluta, spoke about what it’s like as a pharmacist for UPMC, which could be difficult considering you may have to work holidays and stay late, but she encouraged us to remember that if it’s a job you love, you’ll make it work for you.
I enjoyed hearing from the women who work at Moraine State Park and McConnel’s Mills in jobs that are certainly anything but traditional; however, it was easy to see that Ashley Noleand, chief plant officer who works with all the wastewater from the parks, takes pride in her work as she explained all of the difficult, “dirty-job” situations there could be. I remember that she shared, “It isn’t often that an emergency happens, but I’m prepared for any situation.” In her typical day, she ensures that all the water is filtered and cleaned so park-goers aren’t fishing or swimming in filthy water.
My personal favorite was Officer Katilyn Mathieson from the New Castle Police Department. She served in the military and later turned her pathway toward a life of service as a police officer. As she described a moment completing a mission from the open door of a military helicopter, she inspired us all to consider serving our country, reminding us that a career like hers isn’t open to men. Her story included a sense of determination, and, as a visibly confident speaker, she captivated her audience, inspiring us to consider a male-dominated field. We left that room believing in what we wanted to do, empowered by her example.
In conclusion, this was an amazing opportunity for us – to be inspired by all of these women who chose a career outside of the box. The GEM Mentors were realistic as they impressed us with the overwhelming positives and shadow negatives of working in their chosen fields. Overall, we left the event feeling empowered with an “I-Can” attitude.
Students attending the GEM presentations were Aaryn Chandler and Riley Werner (Cosmetology sophomores), Elizabeth Donegan, Callisto Krueger, Carlee Meyer, Isis Patrick (Veterinary Assistant sophomores).
