The Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance (GBRIA) hosted its inaugural Women in Industry Forum on Oct. 9 at the PACE Center in Gonzales, bringing together 250 female students from 20 schools across five parishes.
The event connected high school juniors and seniors with successful female leaders from Louisiana’s industrial community, giving them hands-on exposure to careers in STEM and industry. Female mentors shared their personal career journeys, facilitated career-focused activities and led engaging discussions aimed at boosting students’ confidence as they consider future careers in industry.
The event provided a platform for young women to ask questions, learn about education pathways, and gain practical advice from industry mentors. “Our goal was to inspire these young women to see the variety of opportunities available in industry, and judging by their engagement we believe many left here feeling confident and excited about their futures,” says Connie Fabré, president and CEO of GBRIA.
During the event, students participated in hands-on activities that focused on developing soft skills and informing them about the types of careers in industry.