Laconai High School students get introduction to STEM careers

LACONIA — Some 46 Laconia High School students had the opportunity to learn about the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) on Dec. 15 through a STEM panel organized by Laconia High School teacher and Science Department Co-Chair, Ivy Leavitt-Carlson.

The three different career paths included careers in the medical or biology fields, engineering, and computer programming by a variety of presenters including: Bree Carlson, an environmental engineer with Harvard University; Dr. John Grobman, an orthopedic surgeon with Advanced Orthopedic Specialists in Gilford and LRGH; Eric Diven, a computer scientist with Teradata in Boston; Peter Stewart, owner and architect at Stewart Architects in Gilford; Bob Lumpkins, mechanical engineer with Mentis Science in Manchester; Peter Howard, civil engineer from Steven J. Smith and Associates in Gilford, and Urszula Sharples, assistant lab manager from Adimab in Lebanon.

Students were able to hear about the career path panelists took to get to their current position, what their undergraduate and graduate coursework looked like and how prepared they felt they were by their education for a career in the STEM fields. Students asked questions about the hiring process, internships and the path they should take in high school to ensure success in their future profession. The panelists provided concrete examples from their work experience spanning many years to help students understand the realities of the job market. So-called "soft skills" like communication and critical thinking were discussed as often neglected when considering life after high school. After discussing the importance of math classes and comfort in with algebraic concepts in the computer science panel, Eric Diven, who works at Teradata in Boston said, "Communication is one of the skills you'll learn from your English teachers that is really important because you'll need to be able to succinctly put ideas into writing to translate it into code."

Students in the medical and biology room heard from Dr. Grobman, an orthopedic surgeon, and Urszula Sharples, a lab manager for a Biotechnology firm. Both panelists agreed that the most important soft skill that a prospective employee in their field can have is communication skills, either verbal or written. As Dr. Grobman said, this was not always a topic that was taught in medical school, but it is one of the most important skills that you can gain on the job.

Students in this group asked questions about different medical career paths, about what the workweek looks like, and what kind of coursework is necessary for a career in the panelists respective careers.

When asked about the best part of their careers, Dr. Grobeman said the ability to make people feel better, as well as getting to treat the second generation of his patients. Ms. Sharples reported that it was the culture of her workplace as well as getting to work on antibody design that could potentially become medicine to save lives.

Ivy Leavitt-Carlson said, "Most of there students are preparing for careers that haven't yet been invented. That's the beauty of STEM careers; the pace of discovery and change is so great, that by the time they graduate, there will be brand new jobs and new ideas to work on."

STEM panelists at Laconia High School PaneisIvy Leavitt-Carlson, Eric Diven, Bree Carlson, Urszula Sharples, Dr. John Grobman, Bob Lumpkins, Peter Howard and Peter Stewart. (Courtesy photo)

Engineering Panel breakout session with Bob Lumpkins, Bree Carlson, Peter Stewart and Peter Howard. (Courtesy photo)

Medical and Biology breakout session with Urszula Sharples and Dr. John Grobman. (Courtesy photo)