Pasadena STEAMposium Lights Up Career Paths for Next Generation

A free event themed “Build Your Future on STEAM” aims to bridge the gap between classrooms and careers by immersing students in the dynamic world of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) fields.

Pasadena City College will host the 8th Annual Career STEAMposium, organized by the Gamma Zeta Boulé Foundation, on Saturday, March 23. STEAM business opportunities reportedly enjoy a yearly expansion of 14% in the job market.

Organizers said the symposium focuses on bridging the gap between workforce skills and job requirements by inspiring students to pursue careers in STEAM. Attendees range from middle school to college level students who will take part in workshops, hands-on activities, and networking sessions led by industry professionals.

Ramsey Jay, Jr., president of the Gamma Zeta Boulé Foundation, said these interactions provide invaluable insights into STEAM professions and pathways, empowering students to explore diverse career options.

“The symposium is one of our flagship initiatives, focusing on providing access and exposure to opportunities for young people, especially in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math,” Jay said.

Dr. Clark Rucker, vice-chair of the foundation, said they aim to demystify STEAM subjects and engage students in a learning experience that ignites curiosity and unveils the pathways to success. About 100 students showed up in the first year of the career symposium, a good portion of whom came from Inner City Los Angeles and were part of the group’s LAMP (Leadership, Achievement, Management, and Professionalism) program.

“We felt it was a very big success because having a hundred students there in a room and having them participate in STEAM activities was something that hadn’t been done before,” Dr. Rucker said. “We started seeing how students could have the opportunity to talk to professionals in our workshops, and really that was like the foundation of our career symposium event, allowing the opportunity for these students to hear from professionals, how they matriculated from high school or from middle school or from college through all of the wickets and over all of the hurdles that they had to get through to become the professionals.”

The symposium’s impact extends beyond workshops and talks. Interactive exhibits featuring robotics, Formula SAE Race Cars, and Cal Poly Rose Floats offer a hands-on exploration of cutting-edge technologies and innovations. Students have the chance to interact directly with professionals, gaining practical insights and inspiration for their future endeavors.

“In our third year of conceptualization, we decided, ‘Hey,  let’s not let it stop with the workshops,’” Dr. Rucker said. “Let’s bring some hands-on teams to our event and let the students get a chance to maybe run a robot or maybe hear from someone who has done 3D printing or let them see how a college team built formula race cars, or a liquid rocket.”

The Gamma Zeta Boulé Foundation, the social action arm of Gamma Zeta Boulé, has a longstanding commitment to enhancing the quality of life in the greater San Gabriel Valley community through leadership, economic development, education, and social development initiatives.

In holding the Career STEAMposium, the foundation collaborates with educational institutions such as Pasadena City College, Cal Poly Pomona, and Caltech, which enriches the experience and opens doors for further educational opportunities.

“Without these institutions, we would not have half of the exhibitors or participants in the event,” Jay said.

Dr. Rucker said the symposium’s success lies in its ability to inspire young minds. The event’s impact, he said, is tangible, with students discovering their passions and envisioning bright futures in STEAM fields.

“Watching these students matriculate through the program and see the things that they see has been so insightful and enlightening,” Rucker said.

This year, the organizers expect an attendance of over 400 participants, including parents and students.

For more information and registration, visit https://gzbfoundation.org/steamposium/.