Every once in a while, an opportunity comes along that slightly changes our normal shift week schedule. This past Monday, I departed the summit two days earlier than normal so that I could attend the Women In Science and Engineering (WISE) conference at Salem State College in Salem, Massachusetts. Every year, Salem State College hosts a career day specifically tailored for young women with the hope of encouraging more females to pursue science, engineering, and other technical fields. This year, hundreds of girls from local middle schools and high schools gathered to hear presentations given by female professionals with a variety of scientific backgrounds. I was thrilled to be able to share my experiences about my work at the Observatory alongside former Observer Rebecca Scholand, who has since acquired a position working as a Brand Ambassador for Backpacker magazine for the 2014 Get Out More Women’s Tour.

 

 

 

 After a morning full of workshops, presentations, and some time for lunch and networking, Danielle Niles, a WBZ-TV broadcast meteorologist closed out the day and addressed the group with some final words of encouragement. It was a wonderful day and I thoroughly enjoyed sharing my story with so many bright, enthusiastic young women!