As women’s interest in STEM continues to grow, more colleges across North America are hosting an event called Jill of All Trades.
Currently, 19 colleges in North America host the event, with plans to connect with 35 colleges by 2026.
For many years, women have been underrepresented in STEM.
According to the National Science Foundation, in the decade ending in 2021, the number of women entering STEM fields increased faster than men by 31%.
The Jill of All Trades event seeks to continue the trend by introducing high-school girls to STEM fields.
The event focuses on the importance and integration of women in STEM and consists of various activities designed to pique the interest of high school girls who attended.
High school girls from Big Rapids and surrounding areas gathered to participate in hands-on activities, as well as listen to speakers who talked about STEM.
Business administration senior and Recruiting Engagement Officer Mackenzie Kidder played a crucial role in planning the event.
Kidder reflected on the goal of the Jill of All Trades event.
“It’s an event to introduce high school girls into the skilled trades workforce and encourage girls and women,” Kidder said.
Kidder also shared the parts of the event she loved most.
“I really enjoyed seeing the girls actually participate in the hands-on activities,” Kidder said. “A lot of them had never stepped foot in lab spaces before and it was really empowering to be able to see them try something new and get out of their comfort zones.”
Many high school girls gathered in the lab spaces at Ferris to try out hands-on activities for themselves, a unique opportunity that high schoolers often don’t experience.
Dean of the College of Engineering Technology Kate O’Connor was also integral in bringing the event to campus.
O’Connor was thrilled to talk about what made the event so exciting and successful.
“I love seeing that the students are curious and excited to try new things,” O’Connor said. “I love the fact that they are interested in exploring different types of industry offerings; it really makes me excited.”
Several girls and women expressed their feelings on the importance of women in STEM.
“I think first and foremost, there’s this idea that women can’t participate in STEM; it’s almost a stigma at times,” O’Connor said. “Through events like this, we can empower females so that they can understand that even through hands-on activities, they can do things.”
The Jill of All Trades event boasted a high-energy atmosphere filled with young girls ready to learn more about STEM and consider the importance of women in the field.
Morley Stanwood High School senior Chris Fulmer explained why she believes it is important for women to be represented in STEM.
“No one has less power, no matter what gender they are,” Fulmer said. “It’s just amazing because you never know what people can bring upon each other, especially women.”
Many high school girls felt that it’s important that women are involved in STEM. One of these girls is Kyleigh Worth, a freshman at Big Rapids High School.
“We need to get our word out and get more involved in male-dominated things,” Worth said.
Students attended the event for a variety of reasons. While of course, it is the perfect way to skip school, many girls expressed interest in STEM careers.
Big Rapids High School freshman Makinna Shular expressed her interest in potentially pursuing a career in STEM.
“[I want to do] construction maybe, or maybe part of diesel,” Shular said.
The Jill of All Trades event is not unique to Ferris, but part of a larger push for women to step into STEM careers.
“It’s originally from Conestoga College in Canada, and they’ve had such success running their own event that they saw the need to outsource the event and allow other institutions to promote the same sort of environment for girls in their areas,” Kidder said.
The Jill of All Trades event marked the success of many months of planning, opening the door for girls around the area to come and see what the STEM program at Ferris has to offer.