Education for Tomorrow Alliance (EfTA)

Check out today's "What I Wish I Knew" with Donna Russ, Lead Application Analyst & Solutions Architect at Entergy Texas! With more than 25 years of experience in the technology industry, Ms. Russ is a seasoned Lead Software Engineer with a strong background in designing, developing, and deploying cutting-edge software solutions. With a deep expertise in software architecture, full-stack development, and agile methodologies, she has been instrumental in building high-performing applications that drive business success. Her proficiency spans multiple programming languages, frameworks, and cloud platforms. She is passionate about continuous learning and staying ahead of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and Microsoft Power Platform. Beyond coding, Ms. Russ is a collaborative leader who fosters a culture of innovation and excellence within her teams and mentors junior software developers and analysts.

Check out Ms. Russ's career story and lessons at: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/efta/episodes/If-a-door-closes--it-closes-for-a-reason--with-Donna-Russ-e2vcu9u

We could use a few more volunteers for Stockton Junior High School tomorrow and Wednesday. There are four time slots each day if you are able to share your career journey. Please sign up on our Flipcause link if you can help! Register here: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjI1NDQ5.

The SCI://TECH Biotechnology and REPSOL Senior High Engineering Design Competitions are underway at Lonestar College Montgomery!

🌟 Sponsor Shoutout! 🌟
Thanks to Peirce Capital Management, LLC for returning as the SCI://TECH volunteer mug sponsor! We are so grateful this team of investment advisors is investing in student success with their support!

It's not too late to earn your 2025 volunteer mug! This Saturday is the Biotechnology Competition and the Repsol Senior High Engineering Design Competition, and next Friday is the ExxonMobil Sci.Story Competition!

Today's "What I Wish I Knew," podcast episode features GJ Snyder. Mr. Snyder has held multiple IT roles, primarily focused on software development, working at Stainless Steel Studios, Houston Advanced Research Center, 21st Century Fox, and The Walt Disney Company. Additionally, he has been volunteering with EfTA for over 20 years and serving on the Board of Directors for eight! Mr. Snyder lives in The Woodlands with his wife Laura and dog Wrigley.

Listen to his insights through the Spotify link below or search "What I Wish I Knew" EfTA wherever you get your podcasts.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0mIMBnndOb2HUdLaApcGDG?si=h2GI_9TJTcOeFxYvc_U_1Q

🌟 Sponsor Shoutout! 🌟
A huge THANK YOU to Ovintiv for their dedication to shaping the future workforce! Their commitment to education and skill-building makes a real impact, providing students with invaluable opportunities to learn and grow. We are so grateful for the volunteer support they offer during SCI://TECH and throughout the year!

🌟 Sponsor Shoutout! 🌟
We are grateful for the partnership of REPSOL as we prepare for the upcoming weekend's Repsol Senior High Engineering Design Competition! This year, we've revamped the robot kits and can't wait to students' creative solutions and problem-solving! Thanks to Repsol for your commitment to preparing the next generation of innovators!

This week's Next Generation Leadership session was full of practical advice for our 12th graders! First, the team at Woodforest National Bank offered a financial literacy overview, followed by a hands-on activity led by Mr. Friebel from the LMC mentoring team. The last half of the session featured a public safety panel with guests from the
Montgomery County District Attorney's Office, the Montgomery County Hospital District, and the Conroe Independent School District Police Department. Speakers offered an understanding of how each entity keeps the community safe, while also offering safety tips for students heading off to college. -With the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce

Today's podcast guest is Kyle Quinn, ExxonMobil IT Leader for Supply Chain, Commercial, Manufacturing Operations and Trading. He is accountable for end-to-end digital solution delivery across ExxonMobil’s global footprint. He has worked at ExxonMobil for 24 years with roles including IT Strategy and Upstream Operations IT. Mr. Quinn has a Bachelors of Computer Science from the University of Manitoba and an MBA from the University of Calgary. He is based in Houston with his wife and two teenage sons. Check out the Spotify link to see what lessons Mr. Quinn has for students: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6u5VBqdnAytDLKGctOhT4y?si=ahUZFBGqT6mZyYIDcScx6w.

Check out some great snapshots that capture the action of Saturday's Expo Day! The day featured the Huntsman Corporation Elementary Science Festival where K-4 students from every Conroe ISD and some private schools offered visitors lessons in science!

It’s a phenomenal day for scientific discovery at SCI://TECH Expo Day! The Huntsman Corporation Elementary Festival and PBK Sci.Math.e.Lon are going on now. Come discover with us at College Park High School until 4 pm!

Come out and discover with us tomorrow at Expo Day featuring the Huntsman Corporation Elementary Science Festival. The festival offers hands-on activities for kids! It is free and open to the public from 10 am to 4 pm at College Park High School. More information is available here: https://www.efta-us.org/scitech-expo-day.html.

🌟 Sponsor Shoutout! 🌟 We continue to share gratitude for the organizations that make SCI://TECH possible!

Today's sponsor spotlight is on MilliporeSigma for their commitment to sparking curiosity in the next generation of scientists! MilliporeSigma volunteers bring their passion for science to the Biotechnology Competition and Science Fair each year, inspiring participants to become the brilliant scientific minds of tomorrow. We’re deeply grateful for their ongoing investment in Montgomery County students!

🌟 Sponsor Shoutout! 🌟
Cheers to Entergy for supporting SCI://TECH, and so much more! Entergy volunteers were part of Education for Tomorrow Alliance's founding and have been engaged for all 35 years! Building community is at the heart of Entergy’s culture, and their dedication has earned them a spot on The Civic 50 for nine consecutive years. This prestigious recognition by Points of Light honors companies that lead the charge in employee volunteerism and community investment. We’re incredibly grateful to Entergy for their ongoing commitment to empowering students in Montgomery County!

It's podcast time! "What I Wish I Knew" will highlight careers in technology during February.

This week features Ryan Tsamouris, a Cloud Security Architect within the Global IT Security team at Chevron Phillips Chemical Company. With 17 years of experience in various technology roles, including positions in the healthcare and in the oil and gas industries, Ryan has a comprehensive background in IT services. His expertise includes data security, IT mobility, integration, field work, and remote connectivity. Ryan holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Engineering from Texas A&M University. He frequently presents at conferences, sharing insights on technology challenges and opportunities in the oil and gas sector. Check out his insights here on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2iecsKxG57vNONtB3HjfpW