Members of the O’Bryant Class of 2010 returned to the school yesterday to speak to current students about life at college, the highs and lows of the application process and who to reach out to for help and assistance once they are there.
Amongst this group of confident, caring and successful individuals were several members of the STEP 2010 Alumni. They spoke of the importance that STEP had in the school to college process. How the careers and employees they were exposed to through STEP helped them understand the industries that want their skills and how the communications skills they learnt with STEP have given them the confidence to reach out to companies for college internships. They encouraged the students to join STEP and get a step ahead!
We wish the O’Bryant and STEP Class of 2010 our best wishes and hope they enjoy a well deserved Spring Break

The State Street tour was a great success in showing students how their areas of study can apply to so many different roles within the same organization. Students learned about technology, engineering, AND banking! Students were very excited to learn more about Global business and careers that State Street is able to provide. The most inspiring and special part of the tour for everyone was the advise the State Street staff provided the students; meaningful words of wisdom that will help guide the students for years to come.

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Event: STEP Sign-up event at John D. O’Bryant high school

Wednesday, February 16th

It’s been eight years since I have been inside a high school, and at least that long since I have interacted with high school students. Yet thanks to the persuasive powers of Lucinda Baxter my friend, Elyse, and I found ourselves wandering through the John D. O’Bryant High School in order to volunteer for the STEP Spring sign-up event.
In the cafeteria (such flashbacks!) students poured in, excitedly greeting Lucinda, Amy, Jennifer and the rest of the STEP team. After a quick skit on proper tour registration protocol, the newer students were separated from the group and walked through the registration and profile creation process. Elyse and I were left to work with the veterans. Nervous? To say the least.
That didn’t last long. I was blown by the professionalism and enthusiasm of the students. Every one that I talked to introduced them self clearly, with a handshake, saying “Hi, I’m _____, I’m a junior/senior and I’ve been on __ tours. “ They spoke eagerly about their experiences and what had interested them the most.
Some students had attended as many as 8 tours. I think I heard 11 at some point, but I may be confusing that with the number of colleges to which a student had applied. These kids are serious!
I don’t think Elyse or I ended up being of any real help running the event – I have no idea where the registration clipboard that I was originally given went – but we both had a fantastic time talking with the students about their experiences with STEP, what they liked about the businesses they visited, and how the tours had helped guide their class and college decisions. Even though many of the students we talked to had visited a majority of the corporate partners, they still wanted to participate in the program and take advantage of new tour opportunities.
I’m no longer nervous about high schools. After meeting with the STEP students, it is clear just how influential and awesome this program is. Looking forward to my first corporate tour and getting to know more great students!

Click here to view photos of the event

SWEET Inspiration in Action
Cambridge, MA, January 24, 2011. STEP [www.stepinspire.org], in partnership with Johnny Cupcakes [www.johnnycupcakes.com] hosted the second annual INSPIRATION IN ACTION 2011 conference at the Microsoft New England Research and Development Center [microsoftcambridge.com].

INSPIRATION IN ACTION 2011 was a sell out with standing room only. The room was filled with Boston’s Industry Leaders and the next generation of Boston’s Leaders. Over 200 people were in attendance.

“To see everyone interacting and networking was a joy to behold.”
– Steve Sullivan, Headmaster, John D. O’Bryant School of Math and Science

“Thank you for STEP’s impact on the students. I felt their confidence, enthusiasm and networking skills lit up the room! Everywhere I looked I saw a student initiating conversations with folks who couldn’t be more different than themselves. I was so very proud of what they did, but more so who they are and what the opportunities STEP provide help to expose them! “ –Teresa Alleyne, Boston PIC

“ You generated an amazing atmosphere, Johnny Cupcakes was definitely inspiring.”
— Jane Wilson

OUR MISSION
The mission of STEP is to introduce students to a multitude of career opportunities, to help inner city students identify the relevance of continuing their education and to engage Corporate Partners in providing students access to real world work environments.

OUR VISION
STEP believes that by offering students a glimpse of what their future could be, that we can help motivate them to remain focused in high school and set long-term goals.

Our strategy is to accomplish this by facilitating mutually beneficial relationships that raise awareness in students and give companies an opportunity to connect with their future workforce, future market and future consumer.

“INSPIRATION IN ACTION 2011 provided the platform for STEP to celebrate the amazing progress our program has enjoyed this past year. It truly was an inspiring evening.”
–Lucinda Baxter, Founder of STEP
Click here to view photos of the event

I’d never heard of Johnny Cupcakes until just recently. The other night I made the opening remarks and welcome at an event run by STEP that Microsoft hosted at the Microsoft New England Research and Development center (NERD for short). Johnny Cupcakes is a company started by an energetic, one might say frenetic, young man by the name of Johnny Earle whose nickname was the inspiration for a line of clothing, largely t-shirts, that often feature cupcakes in their designs. While not a hi-tech business it sure is an interesting one. And Johnny did keep mentioning Microsoft software that he had used in the setting up and running his business. So students did hear the message that computers are everywhere….

Click here to read more at Computer Science Teacher – Thoughts and Information from Alfred ThompsonAlfred Thompson’s blog

The 2011 kickoff to STEP INSPIRE took place at the Microsoft NERD center on Monday evening. While most of us in the tech and start up community focus on new business launches and product releases, the folks at STEP INSPIRE invest their energy getting the next generation of talent ready for the business world.

STEP seeks partnerships with companies and non-profit organizations committed to bridging the gap between professionals and the next generation. Their mantra is very simple ONE PERSON OR EXPERIENCE CAN CHANGE THE COURSE OF AN INDIVIDUAL’S LIFE.

They are all about INSPIRING STUDENTS and ENGAGING COMPANIES in collaborative efforts. Call them and join the many other businesses that open their doors to give tours to their students. Take on a mentoring relationship and open the world of business opportunities to this highly motivated group of kids. Kendall Press has been working with STEP for about a year. We are gratified to see the first graduating group turn out in large numbers at the Johnny Cupcakes presentation. We’re proud of them all.

Johnny’s story is an interesting one and while this may seem a little self serving, he reinforced several times the importance of having business cards. Yes, even high school students, he said should have them. They are the coin of the realm when it comes to meeting others and extending a means of introduction. To our chagrin he kept talking about the big box store in the cloud with their free business cards. No, no, no. Nothing is ever totally free. There is a time and a money or quality tradeoff, but he also talked about quality and passion for a job done well. We applaud his efforts on behalf of STEP and we encourage the thoughtful creation and use of business cards as one tool in that arsenal of skills that will help open doors. To all the students at STEP: We congratulate you on your first ‘’step” and encourage you to keep learning and keep growing.

Link to the Kendall Press Blog

Johnny Cupcakes will be speaking live, Monday January 24th at 6pm at the Microsoft New England Research & Development Center.

1 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, Mass.

Free & Open to the Public.

The Celtics organization provided STEP with an unbelievable experience on January 17. Legendary guard, Ray Allen generously donated 10 tickets to STEP for the Jan 17th game against the Orlando Magic. We had 8 students and for 6 of them, it was their first game. It was a terrific night to be there, to partake in the moment of
silence for reflection on Dr. King, for Kevin Garnett’s return, and of course to once again watch us triumph over Dwight Howard and company. The students agreed that it was only fitting that Ray Allen was named player of the game that night.

Ray Allen gave all of us, chaperons included, an experience that we will never forget. We also thank the Celtics organization for making this most special event possible and for hosting the upcoming STEP tour in the spring.

November 22, 2010

Students were given an opportunity to explore the MIT campus and learn about the many areas of study MIT has to offer including: math, science, music and theater. Students heard about the significant contributions MIT makes to the area of research and education. The post tour comments help bring to life the impact this tour has had on these students:
” I always wanted to be an engineer, but I have been undecided in what type. This tour introduced me to Chemical Engineering as a career and that could be very interesting.”
” This tour inspired me to be more focused on my school work so that I may be able to attend MIT.”
” I might want to work at a college.”

Click here to view photos of the event

December 1, 2010
Students were immediately pulled into the Continuum creative process with the tour guides dynamic , friendly and interesting personalities. They deeply sensed their keen interest in them and in their paths on the ” career choice” journey. Students became animated and eager to share thoughts and ideas as well as ask wonderful questions, all skills that the training at STEP is aimed at developing in students. In addition, the introduction to the possibility of a career in the world of creative thinkers of all backgrounds was seen and heard in each of student. Some post tour commentary…..

Could you see yourself working in a Company like this ? “Yes because I am very excited by this whole experience, it has many interesting fields that allow you to move and be active. This place is perfect !”

Please write 3 words that you would use to describe this work culture : ” Amazing, Incredibly Peaceful, Positive Energy ”

How did this tour change your ideas about what you think you want for a career ? ” I may if I want become a person who creates products ”

What was the best or most interesting part of the appointment ? ” Experiencing the process of coming up with solutions and designs for a product to resolve the problem”

Click here to view photos of the event