For the first time, Sacred Hearts Academy hosted a SHEBuilds event on campus, which invited STEM-based companies to network with students.

SHEBuilds, an international career-building organization, inspires and guides young women to pursue careers such as construction, engineering, architecture and design. This event allowed high school students who were interested in STEM-based careers to gain hands-on experience and connect with inspirational female leaders. 

“In my opinion, it was a great success,” said senior Tyler Beissel, an advocate for the SHEBuilds event. “Many girls attended, and the guest speakers shared amazing insights into a variety of careers and jobs.”

The event, which took place last month, originated from a conversation with the school’s athletics director and an executive officer from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). Brandy Ann Sato, the president of the Academy, immediately began planning for the SHEBuilds event. 

Starting off as a two-day event, SHEBuilds opened with a mixer, including faculty members, administrations, parent board members, industry leaders and government leaders. It was a way to build connections with attendees. A day later, high school students were invited to participate during the school day.

“(SHEBuilds) would provide more opportunities to learn more about the trades, careers, meet college students who study in those industries, and also young professionals,” Sato said. 

With 10 local organizations in attendance, the event concluded successfully. Sato expressed interest in continuing this event in the future. Now with a better grasp on how to improve this event, she hopes to invite the healthcare industry to the next SHEBuilds event. 

“My next focus is on the healthcare industry,” she said. “It’s not only nurses and doctors, (but) it could be physicians, counselors, psychologists, nutritionists, people who focus on the physical body, people who are into fitness,” Sato said, believing that the Academy’s goal is not only to focus on leadership but also to provide all the access to developing career ideas and mentoring the students.