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LBCC women In STEM share their experiences and struggles to motivate future generations of young women.

Story by Desary Vailencour

In honor of Women’s History Month, students had the opportunity to listen to an in person panel of successful women in STEM and share their experiences in building D at LBCC.

By sharing their experiences and struggles while offering guidance, they believe that it can help break barriers into entering a STEM program. They intend to share new avenues of resources that students might not know about. 

The gender disparity in STEM women only makes up 28% of the workforce in STEM, according to the American Association of University Women.

STEM Panelists Patti Valella (Left), speaks with Kimberly Davis (Right), at the end of the LBCC Women In STEM event in the D Building at Long Beach City College on March 30, 2022. (Photo by Desary Vailencour)

The first step is removing the bias from education and creating support groups and mentorship programs for empowering women and girls in the workforce of science, technology, engineering, and math.

Microbiology instructor Erika Calle-Poppe didn’t let motherhood stop her from her STEM education, although it was difficult juggling schoolwork and childcare, she knew she fell in love with cells and the roles that they play because she knows one day that it may change the world.

Chemistry instructor Lizeth Perez explained how she was so shy that she was afraid to ask questions because she was an undocumented student. 

She joined a learning community at LBCC which helped her learn about and join the Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement program. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions,” Perez said.

(From left to right) STEM Panalists Erika Calle-Poppe, Lizeth Perez, Kimberly Davis, and Patti Valella speak with fellow student after the LBCC Women In STEM event in the D Building at Long Beach City College on March 30, 2022. (Photo by Desary Vailencour)

“Create your own community and ask a person in the field what do I need to do?” Kimberly Davis said, assistant professor of Computer Science. A great place to start is to network with your professor. 

Associate professor of life sciences Patti Valella, felt like she was born a scientist, she can remember experimenting and testing things as a young child. Men didn’t think she could succeed in the field, which gave her more motivation that she could succeed. 

“Learn from your failures, move forward with successes. Do it even if you’re scared.” Valella said. 

Before today’s discussion student Madison English felt lost and discouraged about her education.  The panel helped her learn about LBCC Bridges to Baccalaureate, a hands-on collaborative program that helps biology and chemistry students get real world research.

Although these women on the panel had to work hard in this male dominated profession, they feel happy and fulfilled by their careers. 

LBCC offers STEM students a program called DESTINO to assist in various support services. Hours are Monday through Friday 9:30am-6:00pm located at LAC Campus Room D104.
Another great resource for women and girls is www.aauw.org this organization has been around since 1881 and they are the leader in advocating for gender equality.

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