07.29.19
Ten local high school administrators spent five days at BASF’s Geismar site learning about career opportunities to help prepare the next generation for a career in the chemical industry.
The program is part of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber’s (BRAC) Pathway to Prosperity Fellowship and is in its fifth year. It gives high school vice principals, career coaches and counselors the chance to meet a variety of BASF employees representing career opportunities ranging from engineers, welders, lab techs, operators and more. The administrators learned more about each position and its function within the manufacturing facility, as well as how to prepare current high school students interested in similar career opportunities.
“As the largest BASF site in North America, it can be overwhelming to know what career paths are available and how students should prepare,” said Jolen Stein, communications manager for BASF in Geismar. “That’s why this program is so important. School administrators can do all of the research, find out which students’ strengths fit each path and steer them in that direction while continuing to give them all of the necessary skills and education.”
In addition to learning more about career paths in industry, the educators helped with BASF’s Kids Day, which brought in more than 80 students to the site for fun science-related activities. They also visited River Parishes Community College to learn more about programs such as the two-year process technology degree and how it leads to well-paying job opportunities.
“I really didn’t know what to expect coming into this week,” said Justin Wax, an assistant principal in Livingston Parish. “I enjoyed the opportunity to see things that most people have never seen, and to be able to speak one-on-one with so many great people at BASF has been an amazing experience. I look forward to sharing the wealth of information with our students.”
