What if one program could shape the next generation of engineers, innovators, and leaders? In this episode, we dive into the transformative power of FIRST Robotics through the story of Devika, a high school senior and engineering captain of Team 3506, YETI Robotics.

She shares how a simple invitation to a robotics team in middle school changed her career path, built her confidence, and gave her leadership experience that most students don’t get in a traditional classroom. From overcoming self-doubt to learning how to problem-solve under pressure, Devika’s journey is a testament to the impact of hands-on STEM education.

For companies, this episode is a compelling look at why investing in programs like Queen City Robotics Alliance (QCRA) helps develop the skilled workforce of tomorrow. For parents, it’s an eye-opening conversation about how robotics programs can unlock a child’s potential and set them on a path to success.

Join us as we explore why robotics isn’t just about building robots—it’s about building futures.

In this episode, we talk with Elizabeth and Chris from Society for Information Management (SIM) Charlotte chapter, a professional society of over 5,000 IT leaders. They share with us their passion and enthusiasm for promoting STEM through SIM’s three avenues of outreach: K-12 STEM/STEAM education programs, educational scholarships, and adult training.

The future business community needs an ample supply of talent and SIM is helping individuals acquire the skills they’ll need to succeed. There are lots of different STEM job opportunities besides software developers and coders. All jobs from fast food to technical manufacturing and software development require technology skills.

Elizabeth explains how STEM programs are crucial to the continued growth and advancement of future leaders starting as early as primary school by promoting STEM interest and awareness, especially in girls, and supporting the teaching of critical thinking skills. Chris shares how impacting even just one student’s success contributes to exponential growth in technology, changes our future, our culture and who we will be generations from now.

There is no single path to acquiring a STEM education and SIM is finding ways to generate IT talent by helping disadvantaged groups and non-traditional students gain in-demand technical skills to be successful in an ever changing work environment. From investing in K-12 STEM programs that encourage and support conceptual, creative thinking and intellectual curiosity, to creating a bridge from high school to community college to a four-year STEM degree, to providing adults opportunities for STEM education, SIM is generating IT talent and helping non-traditional students retool and advance their careers.

Join us to learn about the many paths to a STEM education that don’t necessarily require a four-year degree and how you can be successful in a high-demand STEM career.

You can also watch the episode on YouTube here and subscribe YouTube Channel: Joint STEM Initiative.

For more information about Queen City Robotics Alliance, your local FIRST program, click here!

To know more about SIM Charlotte, visit https://chapter.simnet.org/charlotte/home

To know more about Elizabeth, check out her LinkedIn profile

To know more about Chris, check out his LinkedIn profile

Do you know BOSCH, a global Fortune 500 company, has invested in the FIRST Robotics Program for the past 20 years. We know a company like BOSCH wouldn’t invest in something without a good return. So, what is the secret that makes BOSCH continue investing in FIRST Robotics Program and growing more teams in BOSCH communities?

To understand this, I got an opportunity to talk with Susan Tippy to figure out what the secret is. Susan is an engineering manager for BOSCH, also happens to be a female engineer, and has been a long term FIRST volunteer. She also manages the FIRST program for BOSCH globally.

In this episode, you will learn how this investment strengthens the talent pipeline, it is especially important for an engineering firm like BOSCH. Employee engagement is another significant benefit that BOSCH witnesses. Susan talked about how students inspired her and the volunteers. The great return on talent and employee engagement would be a worthy investment for any growth company.

This channel is also available on Apple podcast and Spotify, subscribe via search for “Joint STEM Initiative” or check out via https://stem.buzzsprout.com/

To know more about Susan Tippy, check out her LinkedIn profile @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-tippy-91127a25/

To know more about BOSCH, visit https://www.bosch.us/

To know more about FIRST robotics programs, visit https://www.firstinspires.org/

The National Society of Black Engineers, NSBE, is a professional society that aims to have 10,000 black Engineers graduate from college by 2025. By engaging the youth as early as 3rd grade in STEM, NSBE helps students and professionals develop the skills needed for a successful professional career.

We learn more about NSBE from Tony Stanford and Quincy Smith, the president and vice president of the NSBE’s Charlotte chapter. They touch on the most significant benefit from NSBE is the networking, which played a large role in their career success. You will find the details about their unique experience on how they started and the journey with NSBE.

In this episode, you also learn about NSBE’s initiatives, such as their Walk for Education, and
The Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK). SEEK is NSBE’s yearly summer program for 3rd to 5th graders, and it became a three-week virtual program during COVID, for future black engineers to learn about drones, robotics, and coding. The program is one of many initiatives by NSBE to foster the development of future black engineers.

Learn more about NSBE Charlotte http://www.nsbecharlotte.org/

To know more about Tony Stanford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonystanf...
To know more about Quincy Smith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/qjsmith/

You can also watch this episode by subscribe YouTube Channel: Joint STEM Initiative

Do you know IT jobs are growing fast in North Carolina? Todd wants to let everyone know, especially if you are young, that getting training in IT would be a great way to get a job placement. From Todd and Diadre’s viewpoint, the IT career has the advantage that the need exists in every industry plus its flexibility for remote work. It is the best career as they suggested.

In this episode, we touched on the skillset as well as the benefits of a diverse background. Not surprising that they believe communication is one of the most important skills, instead of coding for an IT career. Todd and Daidre also pointed out, information technology is getting into almost every product that you can guarantee your career because it’s very transferable between industries.

This is an episode that touched on career selections that are critical for high school students who are deciding their major, or young adults who are considering their career path. Share this with the younger generation around you, it never hurts to consider a career path that fits in every industry that is growing rapidly.

You can also watch this episode by subscribe YouTube Channel: Joint STEM Initiative

To know more about SIM Charlotte, visit https://chapter.simnet.org/charlotte/home

To know more about Daidre Fanis, check out her LinkedIn profile @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/daidrefanis/.

To know more about Todd Buelow, check out his LinkedIn profile @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddbuelow/.

Professional societies have played important roles in various industries. They have been a critical force that set up best practices, standards, or certifications. In today’s ever changing environment, the professional societies remain critical but may need to adopt different approaches with different focuses. We witness some of them grow while some of them disappear. One thing for sure, the need for everyone to identify the best way to advance one’s career remains important as ever.

In this episode, we are going to highlight SIM, the Society of Information Management, which created the place for IT professionals to gather and exchange information. As Todd and Daidre pointed out it is a great network platform to help individuals to advance their career and do something good for the community at the same time. As Information Management, or Technology, exists in so many industries that creating a standard doesn’t seem to be the top priority for SIM, but creating the best leaders for sure to be one.

Todd and Daidre also pointed out, because of the focus on leadership development, SIM is finding ways to help disadvantaged groups, such as female professionals, to advance their career. Take listen and it may turn a few lightbulbs on how to reach out to find the mentors that could change your life.

You can also watch this episode by subscribe YouTube Channel: Joint STEM Initiative

To know more about SIM Charlotte, visit https://chapter.simnet.org/charlotte/home

To know more about Daidre Fanis, check out her LinkedIn profile @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/daidrefanis/.

To know more about Todd Buelow, check out his LinkedIn profile @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddbuelow/.

How early should we introduce STEM to students? At least as early as middle school is Keith’s conclusion and that is our discussion in the episode. Keith Burgess is a science teacher and a Kenan Fellow with strong passions in STEM. He also believes that education is a part of solutions to improve students’ economic mobility.

During this episode Keith started from explaining the issues regarding diversity in the STEM field. He pointed out that without role models to help students to see themselves in those good STEM roles, students may not realize they are capable of becoming STEM professionals. Therefore, it is critical to have programs designed to engage students at an early age before they are trying to figure out the exact career paths in high school.

Especially when we have such a significant STEM talent shortage today, I hope we all got the messages that STEM professionals really need to engage and mentor students to build up their confidence in STEM. Smart kids come from all kinds of families, let help them to “put poverty in the rear view mirror!”

You can also watch this episode by subscribe YouTube Channel: Joint STEM Initiative

To know more about Keith, you can check out his website https://www.wkburgess.com/

or his LinkedIn profile
https://www.linkedin.com/in/w-keith-burgess-mat-096a471aa/

I have Rob Seymour, a small business owner, as our guest in this episode. Rob is the founder and CEO of Seymour Advanced Technologies, a business focus on custom automation. Rob has a successful career as an engineering leader before starting his own company.

In our conversation, we talk about the role of human vs robots. I love his viewpoint on we should focus on our role, no need to worry about robots taking over our jobs. Even more interesting is his viewpoint on degree and education. It is interesting to hear him talk about the talents that he is looking for. It is not what you can do that matters the most, it is your “wants”. I think it is great advice and it should be used to evaluate the return on investment for education. It may not be a good idea before you know what you want.

You can also watch this episode by subscribe YouTube Channel: Joint STEM Initiative

To know more about Rob and his company, check out https://seymouradvancedtechnologies.com/

Also his LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-seymour-jr/