For Lydia Barrett-Miller, a 2021 graduate of Franklin County Tech’s Programming & Web Design program, the annual Tradeswomen of Tomorrow forum reminded her of all of the questions she had as a freshman.
Barrett-Miller, who owns L.B.M. Web Co., was among 13 guest speakers at the event held for freshmen girls at the Ja’ Duke Auditorium on Friday, October 24. She and the other speakers also set up tables where students could ask questions to learn more about their businesses, organizations and careers.
“I’m excited to be able to talk to the girls and hear about their experiences,” Barrett-Miller said. “I’m very grateful that they asked me to come and represent computers and programming here on the panel.”
A graduate of Western New England University in criminal justice, Barrett-Miller is studying for a master’s degree in cybersecurity with a focus on digital forensics at Bay Path University.
“I want to go into cybersecurity and digital forensics as a career,” she said. “I told the students to explore different parts of their trade and don’t be close-minded. You never know where it will lead.”
Mady Vescovi, a student in the FCTS Electrical program was the event’s host and introduced the speakers. Other speakers that participated were Lily Thompson, a union carpenter; Claudia Leanos Flores, a senior quality assurance manager at L.S. Starrett Co.; Gwyn Clark, owner of Gwyn’s Garage; Gabby Lesperance and Cassy Parker of Notch Mechanical; Melissa LaVangie, owner and co-founder of Women’s Tree Climbing Workshop®, Dawn Kazoskas of All States Materials; Chelsea Fenton, union laborer with Local 596 and co-founder of Western Massachusetts Tradeswomen; Brianna Skowyra, Commonwealth of Massachusetts stat building inspector supervisor; Nicole West, Commonwealth of Massachusetts district engineering inspector; and Arborist Cassandra Madru.
Diana Wheeler, CTE administrative assistant, organized the event.
Vescovi said later that she enjoyed hearing the women talk about their experiences working in their chosen field.
“It was interesting to learn about how their careers are going and the opportunities that are available and where I can potentially get to in a career,” she said. “I’m not sure yet what I want to do, but I like the residential electrical field, maybe start my own business.”
Jill Deady, who is in the Advanced Manufacturing program, said he event was an opportunity to build connections with women working in the trades.
“It’s very important,” she said. “If make some connections with people it’s easier to get your foot in the door rather than going in blind.”
Deady said she hopes to earn a doctorate in aerospace engineering and mechanical engineering. A junior, she’s thinking about going onto either UMass Lowell or UMass Amherst after she graduates from FCTS.