The Southwest Washington STEM Network is powered by nConnect, which recruits and mobilizes STEM professionals as volunteers in the STEM learning community. By maintaining and supporting a vital network of industry volunteers, nConnect helps students connect classroom learning with real world experiences. nConnect has volunteering opportunities that are on-going as well as one-time commitments, such as guest speaking, speed networking, and mock interviewing.

“I always get something out of it because I feel like it’s really impacting a young life,” says John LeMarte of Columbia Machine, Inc. who participated in mock interviews at Fort Vancouver High School last year. “I think about my days in high school and how I always wished that we had professionals from the community to share some of their experiences; I think that’s invaluable for young people.”

Matthew Goosen, nConnects Program Coordinator, is currently in the process of recruiting volunteers for several spring events at high schools in Vancouver. In particular he’s seeking professionals in the environmental science, architecture and urban planning, and materials science/manufacturing industries. He’s also looking for volunteers with any background interested in helping students in mock job interview and resume review sessions (dates TBD).

For more information about these or other nConnects volunteering opportunities, visit http://nconnect.org or contact Matthew Goosen. You can also view videos of some past events here.

nConnect