Women on TechPath

Women on TechPath

The Women on TechPath program is coordinated by the Berkshire Applied Technology Council, Berkshire Tech Prep and Berkshire Community College.  The purpose of this program is to allow high school women to explore non-traditional careers in engineering, computer animation and information technology.  The 2002 Women on TechPath Program was funded by a $12,800 grant from the Mass Department of Education and a $2,000 grant from General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems.  The program for 2003 is funded by a $10,000 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Education and also by a generous contribution from the Berkshire County Regional Employment Board.           

2002 After School Program

The 2002 After School Program was extremely successful.  Fourteen students participated in after school workshops and industry tours at Interprint, Inc., Crane & Co., Inc., and Kleiser Walczak.  The Awards celebration in May was a good time.  Patricia Begrowicz, Vice President of US Operations at MeadWestvaco Specialty Paper, was the keynote speaker. 

2002 Summer Web Academy

The 2002 Summer Web Academy also was a success.  It was held the week of July 29th at Berkshire Community College.  Eight young women from Grades 9-12 participated.  Hal Evans, BCC Adjust Professor taught the basics of HTML (HyperText Markup Language) code which enabled the students to create their own personal web site and also develop a site which highlighted the Women on TechPath After School and Summer programs.  This site will be linked to the Berkshire Community College web site.

Go here to learn more about the 2003 Summer Web Academy.

2003 After School Program

The 2003 began on January 15, 2003 with a kick off at Berkshire Community College for students, parents, teacher-mentors and industry-mentors.  The keynote speaker was Beth Mitchell, Director of Quality at General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems.  This year’s program included tours of Crane & Company, Interprint, Inc., Cavallero Plastics, Berkshire Health Systems and Kleiser Walczak.  The 2003 Program will also have a Summer Web Academy Component. This year's Academy  will be held from July 14th through July 18th at Berkshire Community College.  For more information, please contact Denise Johns (djohns@berkshirecc.edu) or Julie Hannum (jhannum@berkshirecc.edu).

To date, the Women on TechPath Program has served over 65 high school aged young women.  Nineteen businesses have been involved as workshop presenters, tour guides and/or mentors.  Sixteen Teacher-mentors from eleven high schools have been involved.