Local LGBT youth are encouraged to attend a fair later this month to guide them in their pursuit of studies in science, technology, engineering or mathematic fields.
Out4STEM is staging a career fair from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 15 at 3535 Market St., on the 16th floor. Out4STEM is an organization that provides mentorship, academic support and career advice for LGBT young people considering STEM-related careers; it is a collaborative program between The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, Educational Justice Coalition and the University of Pennsylvania’s LGBT People in Medicine Plus group.
This marks Out4STEM’s second year and inaugural career fair.
Representatives of about a dozen colleges and universities will be on hand, including from University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University School of Public Health, Temple University, Drexel University and Community College of Philadelphia.
“Youth will be able to talk directly with admissions representatives,” said EJC founder and Out4STEM youth-support coordinator Quincy Greene. “The student can ask questions; learn about campus life, the admissions process and things to put in their essays; find out about policies and nondiscrimination; whether they have LGBT student groups and resources on campus.”
The college representatives will also take part in a panel discussion about the college-admission process.
Additionally, Penn’s LGBT People in Medicine Plus organization will participate, allowing med students to share their own experiences. They will also staff an “Ask the Med Student” panel, where participants can ask questions relating to health care that they may not feel comfortable asking their physician.
Greene said the career fair fills a much-needed gap.
“I was working with some interns over the summer to lay out the calendar of events and many of them identified the need for a college fair,” he said. “Many of the students are going into their senior year and will have to start writing college essays and debating which schools to go to. When we started talking about a college fair, they all got really excited.”
Greene said he anticipates between 50-100 students will turn out for the fair. Youth not involved with Out4STEM are invited to participate.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/events/906578742764179/.