On Thursday, November 14, the Women in STEM Club held an exciting after-school event in Room 827 featuring Nhung Nguyen, a Physician Assistant at Weill Cornell Hospital in Manhattan and an alumna of Bridgewater Raritan High School. The event provided club members with valuable insights into Nguyen’s journey to healthcare, her decision to pursue the physician assistant role, and advice on navigating high school while pursuing personal interests.
During the meeting, Nguyen took the lead with a structured presentation that captivated the audience. She began by sharing her journey from high school to her current role at Weill Cornell Hospital, detailing the academic and personal challenges she overcame throughout.
Nguyen highlighted the importance of adaptability in pursuing a career in healthcare, explaining how she discovered her passion for patient care and teamwork. She then shifted focus to providing practical advice for students, such as balancing rigorous coursework with extracurriculars and seeking out mentorship opportunities.
Nguyen concluded the session with a Q&A, where members asked about her day-to-day responsibilities, the challenges of working in a high-stakes medical environment, and how to build resilience in the face of setbacks. Her approachable demeanor and relatable anecdotes made her a standout speaker, leaving a lasting impression on attendees.
The guest speaker initiative is just one of the many ways the Women in STEM Club empowers its members to thrive in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Co-Presidents Nandini Kuppachi, junior, and Divyansha Nashine, senior, lead the club alongside Secretaries Heesoo Kim, senior, and Dhiya Selvakumar, junior; Treasurer Vivian Nguyen, junior; and Social Media Managers Karolina Torbus, senior, and Victoria Wang, junior. Together, this leadership team fosters a welcoming environment where students can explore their passions, gain access to resources and build connections with like-minded peers.
“Putting together this event was a team effort from this officer team, and we’re thrilled to have given our members such an opportunity,” Divyansha Nashine said.
Through the club, members have delved into topics such as selecting courses to align with specific STEM majors, participating in enrichment programs like hackathons and research internships, and identifying scholarships tailored to students pursuing STEM careers. The club also places a strong emphasis on leadership development and teamwork, encouraging members to collaborate on projects that inspire and educate others about the importance of diversity in STEM.
One such project is the club’s Generation of Innovators, Researchers, and Leaders in STEM (G.I.R.L.S.) initiative, currently led by Nandini Kuppachi and Divyansha Nashine. This initiative aims to expand its impact by having members write news articles and blog posts about Women in STEM, creating a platform to amplify their voices. It also strives to build a supportive community of individuals dedicated to promoting gender equality in STEM fields, at the international level.
All of these initiatives represent the culmination of the club’s work to make their members and girls across the globe more empowered to pursue their well-deserved aspirations.
Reflecting on the success of the event, senior Heesoo Kim shared her thoughts.
“It was amazing to hear from someone who’s walked in our shoes and achieved so much. It shows us what’s possible when you stay determined and keep pushing forward,” she said.
Looking ahead, the club has big plans for the remainder of the school year. In addition to expanding the G.I.R.L.S. initiative, they plan on organizing a field trip to the Liberty Science Center, where members will have the opportunity to engage with interactive exhibits and deepen their understanding of STEM concepts in an interactive environment.
