STEM career fair to get a feel for work in an operating
room. Staff from St. James Hospital explained
how the DaVinci Surgical Robot has changed surgical
procedures. (Photo by Marilyn Thomas/H-F Chronicle)
What’s a STEM job of today?
Seventh graders at Hart School in Homewood got a first-hand look at the possibilities of using studies in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in the workplace at a special STEM career fair on Wednesday, March 23.
Guest presenters were Rola Othman, director of information technology at St. Xavier University; Debra Larkin, director of peri-operative services at St. James Hospital; Sharon Bouchie, project engineer at Alfred Benesch and Co.; Kirkland Benson, environmental engineer of Homewood.
Also, Crystal Wheeler, an accountant at Francis W. Parker School; Marcy Hackbarth, an oncology specialist at Abbott; Chris Riedel working on emerging technologies at the University of Chicago and Emily Kramer, manager of vegetation management for ComEd.
Cherylyn Pesina, technology and media center coordinator at Hart, organized the event and was delighted by the students’ responses. She had hoped it would provide a glimpse at what’s possible through STEM programs and found the students were very receptive.