Spokane STEM

🌟🎉 Happy International Youth Day! 🎉🌟

Today, we're celebrating the incredible young talent in our community. Your drive, innovation, and determination are shaping the future of Spokane. At Career Connect Northeast, we're dedicated to empowering youth with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed. Keep chasing your dreams and making a difference—you are the leaders and innovators!

JHS is committed to fostering the next generation of skilled workers and bridging the gap between education and industry!

Are you still stuck on your FAFSA form? It's not too late to submit it. CSF can help you complete your FAFSA on the spot.

Issues with FAFSA could mean many students don't go to college in the fall : Consider This from NPR This year's college application process was supposed to get easier. That's because last year, the U.S. Department of Education announced changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.The problems with the FAFSA form began last fall. And with August and September around the corner...

"Tons" of students from the Spokane region visited the Trades Discovery program at Spokane Community College today.

There were young people from Central Valley School District - Spokane Valley, WA , Spokane Public Schools , Riverside School District and Hunters (I am sure there were others).

We all know that every industry depends on and more (don't forget and science). So these programs help ensure the future of .

Community Colleges of Spokane
Greater Spokane Incorporated

What do shoes for middle schoolers, streamlined math tests and Virtual Reality to practice social scenarios have in common with college students?

Well they are all projects tackled by the Computer Science students at Whitworth University as a part of their capstone. As you see below, this is just enough, if not more about than about learning.

Every year Pete Tucker sets up scenarios for his students to accept a project from the community or university to give the students experiential learning while making a positive difference in .

Pete mentioned that one of the positives is that the clients don't always speak tech so students get "real" practice in taking an idea from clients thoughts to a finished product.

When prompted to talk about what went well, a common theme the students mentioned was practice in learning and interacting with each other's communication styles, not computer science.

Check out this link to learn more about these presentations http://cs472.whitworth.edu/

Most of these students graduated this weekend and some are still looking for .

Reach out to me or Pete Tucker if you are or want to learn more.

Thanks for inviting me, Pete!



Ester Ng Minh Nguyen Andrew Tucker Ethan Wagner Hunter Williams Sydney Beers Owen Foster Jacob Janzen Robert Weener Davaana Khaltar Tricia cebotari An Dang Seth Miller Irene Racharla Dante Stokes

Greater Spokane Incorporated

Nuclear Engineering explained in a way that I understood.

Thank you Markus Ong and Philip Measor for inviting me to the Engineering Program Capstone at Whitworth University.

I was able to see seven accomplished students present their final projects to professors, advisory board members and other students. Maybe I followed along more than “understood” but I was impressed that the presentations were high quality enough that I never felt lost in the conversation.

These projects were sponsored by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and gave the students the opportunity to work through projects that encompassed several aspects of , with the goal of boosting efficiency, increasing safety and saving money.

Some of these students have already locked in employment or internships, but some are still looking as well.

If you are , reach out to me and I can connect you or find them here on LinkedIn.



If you are looking to sponsor a project for this program in the future contact me and I can connect you.

Greater Spokane Incorporated

"There is so much energy in this room. I can feel the connections happening."

I was feeling pretty good about the internship event last night, but when Kareena Byrd said that, I knew we were winning. And that we were winning in a huge way.

showed up last night for these college students.

People from Spokane industry and regional higher education institutions came together to show college students how to make the leap from student to employee. I feel blessed to be surrounded by professionals that came together to support young people, just because they believe in helping the next generation.

Keva Sonderen and Kristie Holzer, MSOL. SHRM-CP. taught students how to make workplace culture work for them and how to leverage that internship experience into a new career. Kristie even brought proof that internships can turn into careers, Julia Jakubik and Katey Davis shared their story from intern to full time employee at Numerica Credit Union.

We had students from Eastern Washington University, University, University, Falls Community College and Idaho College. They asked great questions, made some great connections and kick started their careers.

The Spokane professionals lived up to their title and showed these students how to act in a professional environment. Answering questions and talking about their experiences when they themselves made the leap from student to employee. They talked openly about how the landscape has changed and what the students may expect now as they enter the workforce.



Beverly Amstadter Brian Woodward Jason Trosine, PhD Dr. Jenni Martin Julia Williams Dr. Kevin Brockbank Dr. Lori Hunt Rachel Ayres Sean D. Johnson Stacia Rasmussen Steve McBride TJ Houk Kristen Piscopo Casey Mowatt Janae Carrothers Juliet Inoue, M.A. Vicki Hucke Kareena Byrd Keva Sonderen Kristie Holzer Jana Jakubich and Katey Davis, you made a difference in the lives of these students last night!

At the Business Workshop last October, I promised you that we were at the starting line, not the finish line. Well now that we have started the race, we have to realize that we will never truly see the finish line, but that is okay when you are playing the .



I look forward to seeing you on October 17th for the next Internship Network Event. Save the date!



If you are looking for an intern, send me a message or reach out to one of the people above and we can connect you with one of the students that was there. That is after all, the entire reason that I created the Internship Network.



Thank you to Presenting Sponsor STCU Supporting Sponsors Eastern Washington University and Gesa Credit Union, and Event Sponsors CHAS Health and Washington’s 529 Education Savings Plans - GET and DreamAhead for making this event free to the students.



Thanks to Micheal Glatzmaier and the The Blue Door Theatre for offering students the opportunity to practice communication skills through improv!

Last time I showed you this room there was no one here. My question then was is the room empty or full of potential.

Well, we found the .

This afternoon I teamed up with Bryson O'Neill and Sierra Graybeal to bring you the next version of Business AfterSchool at Coffman Engineers in Spokane.

Students from the region got to learn more about the profession.

One cool story that I learned today, Artyom Gurdyumov is a current engineer for Coffman. How did he learn about Coffman Engineers? When he attended a Business AfterSchool when he was getting his education.

Thank you to Upper Columbia Academy, Spokane Public Schools, Central Valley School District - Spokane Valley, WA, LaCrosse Schools, West Valley School District Spokane and Valley Christian School for supporting students to come to this event.

Greater Spokane Incorporated
NEWESD 101

Thank you to Presenting Sponsor STCU Supporting Sponsors Eastern Washington University and Gesa Credit Union, and Event Sponsors CHAS Health and Washington’s 529 Education Savings Plans - GET and DreamAhead.

I visited Eastern Washington University on Friday to thank them for their sponsorship of Business AfterSchool and the Internship Network.

Thanks for the invitation to campus Kelsey Hatch-Brecek and Jana Jaraysi.

I look forward to the future opportunities that this sponsorship will provide to middle and high school students, not to mention the careers that will be kickstarted through the Internship Network.

If you are interested in learning more about the Eagle Career Network, contact Riley Baxter.

40 people representing students and parents from 10 school districts converged on the University of Washington School of Medicine- Spokane on Friday to see a snapshot into the life of a medical student.

This experience is unique as it is planned and executed entirely by the medical students. Thank you to Cate Marken and Maxey Cherel for spearheading the planning with me!

The workshop included a panel where the high schoolers could ask everything they ever wanted to know about medical school. Next, they had a hands-on portion that let them practice a physical exam (including using an ). No trip to the medical school is complete without seeing the anatomy lab, here students got to examine arteries, hearts, and lungs, compare them to x-rays and see healthy specimens alongside those with abnormalities.

The Spokesman-Review provided coverage of this event. Here is a link to the article. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/apr/18/high-schoolers-get-a-taste-of-medical-practice-at-/

Thanks to Karlee Ludwig and Catherine Brazil for supporting this partnership.

Greater Spokane Incorporated
Mead School District
Spokane Public Schools
Riverside School District
Chiawana High School ( )
Chewelah School District
Valley Christian School
East Valley School District
Freeman School District
LaCrosse Schools
Home School

Thank you to Presenting Sponsor STCU Supporting Sponsors Eastern Washington University and Gesa Credit Union, and Event Sponsors CHAS Health and Washington’s 529 Education Savings Plans - GET and DreamAhead.

Last week Avista Utilities hosted the latest successful Business AfterSchool.

We had students from Deer Park High School, Lacrosse, Wilbur-Creston, Spokane Public Schools and Mead School District.

The students learned about how Avista gets the from the turbine to the meter, how they keep houses warm (and safe) with natural gas, and what maintenance needs to be done to keep systems running smoothly.

Avista prepares their employees for careers like this through and capitalized on this experience by having employees that are currently in the apprenticeship programs teaching the high schoolers.

Thank you Avista for hosting this experience and investing in the workforce of tomorrow.

Greater Spokane Incorporated

Thank you to Presenting Sponsor STCU, Supporting Sponsors Eastern Washington University and Gesa Credit Union, and Event Sponsors CHAS Health and Washington’s 529 Education Savings Plans - GET and DreamAhead.

Have you wondered how the world around us is designed?

Whether it is roads, bridges, or airports.

It was engineered.

This video from KSPS PBS tells us a little more about a career in . https://www.careerexplorenw.org/careers?job=Civil%20Engineer

If you are interested in this career field, join us on April 24th at Coffman Engineers in Spokane.

Register here https://web.greaterspokane.org/events/Consulting-Engineering-Business-AfterSchool-3323/details.

Thank you to Presenting Sponsor STCU, Supporting Sponsors Eastern Washington University and Gesa Credit Union, and Event Sponsors CHAS Health and Washington’s 529 Education Savings Plans - GET and DreamAhead.

Greater Spokane Incorporated

NEWESD 101

Do you want to be a ?

Greater Spokane Incorporated and the University of Washington Medical School - Spokane are teaming up to bring you a snapshot into a day in the life of a medical student.

Register here https://web.greaterspokane.org/events/Business-AfterSchool-Med-For-Ed-at-UW-School-of-Medicine-in-Spokane-3363/details

Thank you to Presenting Sponsor STCU , Supporting Sponsors Eastern Washington University and Gesa Credit Union, and Event Sponsors CHAS Health and Washington’s 529 Education Savings Plans - GET and DreamAhead.

NEWESD 101







KSPS PBS has put together a short video as a part of the Career Explore NW program that tells a little bit about being a Family Physician.

https://www.careerexplorenw.org/careers?job=Family%20Physician

Rural Resources is hosting a FREE information session on how to become a childcare provider.

If you are interested stop by the Tri-County Economic Development District this coming Tuesday, the 16th!

I got my tumbler.

How do you get one?

Join us at a Business AfterSchool or Internship Network event!

Register here:
Business AfterSchool https://greaterspokane.org/what-we-do/greater-talent/career-connected-learning/business-after-school/

Internship Network https://greaterspokane.org/events/the-internship-network-evolution-from-student-to-employee/

Thank you Victoria Nash for supplying the tumblers and thank you to Gesa Credit Union for sponsoring these events!

Greater Spokane Incorporated

Have you had a glass of water today? Have you driven on a road? Did you turn on a light switch?

You can probably say yes to at least one if not all three.

What do all these activities have in common?

They all involve engineering.

Thinking about a career in , but you aren’t sure if it is the career choice for you?

If you are local high school student, join us at Coffman Engineers on April 24th to learn more.

Register here https://web.greaterspokane.org/events/Consulting-Engineering-Business-AfterSchool-3323/details

Thank you to Coffman Engineers for this opportunity!

Thank you to Sponsors- Presenting- STCU, Supporting Eastern Washington University and Gesa Credit Union and event- CHAS Health and Washington’s 529 Education Savings Plans - GET and DreamAhead

Greater Spokane Incorporated

NEWESD 101

Have you used electricity today? Of course you have.

Do you ever take that for granted? Well, maybe.

Join us on April 11th at Avista to learn how that energy gets to you.

Avista Utilities has career options all over Northeast Washington. Come see how you can start a career in this field and bring energy to your neighbors.

Register here https://web.greaterspokane.org/events/Business-AfterSchool-Energy-Careers-with-Avista-3355/details



Thank you to Presenting Sponsor STCU Supporting Sponsors Eastern Washington University and Gesa Credit Union, and Event Sponsors CHAS Health and Washington’s 529 Education Savings Plans - GET and DreamAhead.



Greater Spokane Incorporated

NEWESD 101

For 11 years running, Spokane Workforce Council has partnered with multiple employers across various industries to bring you the largest job fair in the Inland Northwest—bigger and better each year. Whether you’re seeking opportunities in technology, healthcare, retail, hospitality, or any other field, this job fair offers a wide range of options to explore. Admission is FREE to job-seekers.

Date: April 24, 2024
Time: 10am-1pm
Location: Spokane Convention Center/Exhibit Halls
334 W Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, WA 99201
https://spokaneworkforce.org/hiring-events/khq-job-fair/

Providence health system and Greater Spokane Incorporated are giving teachers the opportunity to see behind the curtain of the surgery center.

Are you a in Northeast Washington? Do you need 3 clock hours? NEWESD 101 approved

Join us in the future at Sacred Heart Medical Center. Register here https://web.greaterspokane.org/events/Teaching-the-Teachers-Surgical-Careers-with-Providence-3382/details

Thank you Heather Sulpizio, Meg Lindsay and Julia Williams for helping to put this workshop together.

Come talk to representatives from North Idaho College and Spokane Community College to learn how you can help your students get into this career field.

Check out this video from KSPS PBS about Sterile Processing Tech https://www.careerexplorenw.org/careers?job=Sterile%20Processing%20Tech

(This is one of the career opportunities that will be highlighted)

Hey Jubilant HollisterStier Careers one of the focuses of this workshop will be Aseptic technique. (Why did I shout out JHS? Because this skill is integral to their industry as well. A rising tide raises all boats! Thanks Meg Lindsay for the cross-training idea!)

Yesterday NEW Health Programs Association opened up the doors of their Colville Office and showed students from school districts how they could start a career in the field, all without leaving their hometown.

The students came from Colville School District, Northport and Riverside School District and saw many career pathways available at NEW Health.

Of course, the students saw , and , but they also saw the huge impact that IT has on a system that has no paper charts.

One kid walked away saying that they wanted to get into now!

That is what I love about Business AfterSchool, just because you love the medical field, that doesn’t mean that you have to love doing medical things.

You get to see all of the jobs that support the medical field while still being able to use your strengths. (sound familiar Tyler Lafferty).

Thank you to Sponsors- Presenting- STCU , Supporting Eastern Washington University and Gesa Credit Union and event- CHAS Health and Washington’s 529 Education Savings Plans - GET and DreamAhead

Greater Spokane Incorporated

Have you thought about a career in the Utilities?

Check out this video from KSPS, about becoming a cableman https://www.careerexplorenw.org/careers?job=Cableman

If that interests you, join us at Avista Utilities on April 11th to learn more about this career and more!

Register here to learn more https://web.greaterspokane.org/events/Business-AfterSchool-Energy-Careers-with-Avista-3355/details.

Thank you to Presenting Sponsor STCU, Supporting Sponsors Eastern Washington University and Gesa Credit Union, and Event Sponsors CHAS Health and Washington’s 529 Education Savings Plans - GET and DreamAhead.

Greater Spokane Incorporated

What happens when employers teach the teachers?

Teachers learn how their lessons give students real world opportunities.

Last week I partnered with Heather Brandt, SHRM-SCP, PHR at Wagstaff, Inc. to organize a workshop that saw an employer, 2 community colleges, and an apprenticeship site work together to support regional school district employees.

A combination of teachers and counselors descended on Wagstaff on Friday morning to see how is used in manufacturing.

Community partners, Spokane Community College, North Idaho College and The Machinists Institute were on site to provide information on student opportunities after high school.

Check out this link for the next Teaching the Teachers opportunity https://greaterspokane.org/events/teaching-the-teachers-surgical-careers-with-providence/ or contact Matthew Himlie.

Thanks to Kurt Kimberling, Samuel Tevis, and Jason Trosine, PhD for showing career pathways to take a student from classroom to family sustaining wage.

Thanks to Heather Brandt, Shellie Allen, Kymn Sturman, Jeff Cope and all the other Wagstaff employees for making this a success!

Thanks to Freeman School District 358, Spokane Public Schools, Wilbur Creston School Districts, Central Valley School District - Spokane Valley, WA, West Valley School District Spokane, East Valley School District, Cheney Public Schools, and Mead School District for supporting educators from your district to attend.

This is a great example of people coming together to invest in the of tomorrow.

Greater Spokane Incorporated
Community Colleges of Spokane
NEWESD 101

Jason Trosine from The Machinist Institute getting the trailer set up at Wagstaff, Inc.

There will be a group of teachers from the region learning about STEM in manufacturing today.

Stay tuned for more.

Was it Professor Plum in the Library with the candlestick?

Well maybe not, but thanks to the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s office students from around Spokane County got to see a snapshot into how crime scenes are processed.

At this event is presented by STCU, the students also learned about how autopsies are performed, identification of bones and they learned how fingerprinting is integral to identification.
Plus check out the photo backdrops, these were painted by Medical Examiner employees Kate and Katie.

Thank you to Veena Singh and all of the medical examiner office employees that assisted.

Participants included students from Riverside School District , Central Valley School District - Spokane Valley, WA , Mead School District, Spokane Falls Community College and Spokane Public Schools.

Check out https://greaterspokane.org/what-we-do/greater-talent/career-connected-learning/business-after-school/ to see future Business AfterSchool opportunities.

Warning Photographs may have sensitive content.

Greater Spokane Incorporated
Spokane County

Thank you to presenting sponsors Eastern Washington University Gesa Credit Union and event sponsors CHAS Health and Washington’s 529 Education Savings Plans - GET and DreamAhead

This year’s FAFSA has been redesigned to be shorter and simpler to complete, and the application is now open. There is also more state and federal money available for applicants this year than ever before!

This event allows for students and families to drop-in, ask questions, and receive support and guidance as they complete their FAFSA application.

We encourage students & families to create their FSA IDs at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch no later than 3 days prior to the event to ensure they can start the FAFSA application.

Discover Rural Healthcare Careers with NEW Health!

📣 Calling teachers, parents, and students! NEW Health invites you to explore career options in your community!

👩‍⚕️🩺👨‍⚕️ Join us at the NEW Health Clinic in Colville to explore medical, dental, pharmacy, clinic operations, and healthcare IT careers!

Don't miss this chance to find rewarding careers close to home! See you there!

https://web.greaterspokane.org/events/Business-AfterSchool-Rural-Healthcare-Careers-with-NEW-Health-3357/details