Local students finish 06-07 Women in Technology program

Oakmont juniors (l. to r.) Randi Swihart, Desiree Hamelin and Joanna Gustafson worked with the Women in Technology program at SimplexGrinnell/Tyco Safety Products this year. They presented their work at a program on Tuesday, May 1. JOURNAL PHOTO/CAITLYN KELLEHER

For the fifth year in a row, SimplexGrinnell/ Tyco Safety Products has partnered with Oakmont Regional High, Leominster CTE and Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical schools for the women in Technology program.

The Women in Technology program is a collaborative program that aims to develop a connection between business and industry, secondary schools and colleges. This year, 45 students participated in the program to work on six projects.

"I took the program because I'm interested in the (engineering) field," said Oakmont junior Randi Swihart. "It was very hands on. We got to see our project become something."

Swihart was one of four Oakmont students to participate in the program.

Three of this year's projects were in the Information technology field and three in were in the engineering field. Student participation is the largest we've ever

Since October, the Women in Technology students have been working in teams to develop solutions to real-life business challenges. The program requires that they spend five hours every other week at Tyco's Westminster office building, working directly with engineers and information technology professionals from Tyco Safety Products and SimplexGrinnell.

The program is geared to help young women prepare for careers in the fields of engineering and technology.

Oakmont junior Joanna Gustafson is one of those students interested in entering engineering and she says the program has reinforced that interest.

On the other hand, Oakmont junior Desiree Hamelin decided she isn't interested in engineering or IT work but said that she liked the program. She said she loves situations where she is working with new people, new problems and having to adapt.

"I got a lot from the program," she said.

Over the course of the five years the program has grown to include students from Narragansett and Gardner high schools.

"I'd like to thank the students for their contribution to help build the success of Tyco. This is a truly great learning experience for both them and our team," said Clive Weston, Vice President of Tyco Safety Products.

The company held an event on Tu e s d a y , May 1, to allow the students to show the projects they have worked on over the course of the last year to parents, teachers and other guests.

Debbie Wilson, vice president and CIO of ADT North America and former Tyco Safety Products Vice President of Global Information Technology, was this event's keynote speaker.