Leilani Boyer, 14, a sophomore at Rancho Dominguez Preparatory School in Long Beach, hopes to be an electrical or mechanical engineer at Southern California Edison and NASA one day.

While she knows it won’t be an easy feat, she’s ready for the challenge and the opportunity to meet and get tips from SCE engineers and other STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) professionals at EXP’s third annual Women in STEM Career Day 2020 held at Cal State University, Dominguez Hills.

“I really like seeing engineers do what they do, and it’s something that I want to do,” said Boyer.

It was a day to explore careers in the world of STEM for more than 450 sophomores from 13 high schools across Southern California, including Los Angeles, Barstow, Anaheim, Whitter and Cerritos. Edison International, the parent company of SCE, was a sponsor of the event.

"Oftentimes, we think that the STEM world is for boys. But we know that’s not true,” said Nicole Martin Huezo, EXP director of Programs & Strategic Partnerships. “If you don’t see someone who looks like you doing something that you’re interested in, then you internalize that that’s not for you.”

The young women learned about the different STEM careers by engaging with more than 50 women professionals, gaining hands-on learning through the demonstration exhibits and touring the college campus and STEM labs.

Martin Huezo wants young women to know that STEM is for them and not just for their male colleagues. “There are only 17% of women in professional STEM fields even though women make up 52% of the workforce. This day is about providing representation so that the young women can see themselves in those careers,” she said.

SCE engineer Danielle Chanes, one of the utility’s panel speakers at the event, shared her career journey and encouraged the students to get their foot in the door through internships.

“Because of my internship at SCE, I had three job offers,” Chanes said of her two-year internship during college. When she graduated with an engineering degree in 2017, she accepted SCE’s offer and became a full-time employee.

Edison International gave a $30,000 grant to EXP to support its Women in STEM Career Day event as well as their year-long internship program for high school juniors. The program prepares students from underserved communities for career success through workshops and a six-week paid summer internship.

Ronia Green, 17, a senior at Carson Senior High School and an aspiring AI engineer, graduated from the internship program last year.

“I have a better level of professionalism and actual experience in the working world,” said Green, attributing the program for the growth of her interpersonal skills.

“I feel a lot more confident in my abilities and I learned that I’m able to get along pretty well with those around me,” she said.