When do you start thinking about your future career? The BASF site in McIntosh, Alabama, is hoping to steer people toward jobs within the STEM field and is offering programs that support STEM-related education and training.
With an increasing demand for highly trained employees in this field, BASF is also providing a valuable service to the area, its surrounding communities and the state of Alabama by reaching more than 5,000 students annually with its various initiatives. While investing in STEM may seem like a popular trend now, the BASF site in McIntosh has been investing in it for quite some time. In 1995 — and in alliance with the American Chemical Society, the National Science Foundation, Auburn University and the Alabama Technology Network — it established an associate degree program in chemical process technology at Alabama Southern Community College. This partnership includes many of Southwest Alabama’s major industrial employers.
Based on a national skill set curricula complemented by a technical lab offering hands-on training that is consistently rated among the best in the South, the chemical process technology program employs chemical, electrical and mechanical engineers with varied, immense experience in chemical, pulp, paper and other manufacturing industries. Students receive a broad-based education in science, mathematics, problem solving, communications, safety and computers to apply classroom learning in a work environment.
“The BASF site in McIntosh also works with the University of South Alabama to offer internships for engineering students,” said LaShaunda Garrett Holly, site communications manager at the McIntosh site. “Students are interviewed and selected to come on-site for an assignment, which provides real work experience. The students are part of a BASF team that provides progress reports and delivers results for the projects for which they are assigned.”
When students are high school juniors or seniors, linking education and career opportunities is vital. BASF provides this link when it has students from local high schools job shadow employees at the company’s facility in McIntosh.
“Introducing students to STEM professions and occupations is critical to building an innovative and competitive workforce,” said George Vann, vice president of the BASF site in McIntosh.
While at the facility, the students participate in a career panel discussion where BASF employees answer questions about career options, higher education and why working in the chemical industry is rewarding.
“The most enjoyable part of the job shadowing experience for me was seeing what a chemist does,” said Xavier Barnes, a student at McIntosh High School and recent participant of the program. “I enjoy my chemistry classes in school and appreciate a BASF employee giving me advice on my future plans.”
BASF’s influential work in getting people interested in pursuing STEM careers doesn’t end at the high school level. It participates in Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council’s annual Worlds of Opportunity Career Expo, which is a hands-on career expo for eighth grade students in the eight counties of Southwest Alabama.
At the most recent expo, BASF employee volunteers brought an interactive science experience to children. More than 150 industry partners hosted approximately 10,000 eighth grade students from more than 80 schools for the two-day, interactive career exploration event.
“BASF encourages an interest in science at an early age,” said Lyna’ Schell, human resources manager for BASF in McIntosh. “Encouraging students to take interest in STEM careers is vitally important for the Alabama economy and the development of our state’s future leaders.”
For more information, visit www.basf.com or contact Holly at (251) 436-2261.
