How can storytelling be used as a resource for Wentworth students exploring their career paths and passions? That’s the question three alumni are answering as they provide career-focused content for the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) community in Boston.
William Ma, Olakunle Lawal, and Elizabeth DiBenedetto, all CIS ’18, started STEAM Boston, a digital media website launched last September. Lawal and Ma are still leading the effort, but have since added fellow Wentworth connections Jorge Martins, BSME ’20 (community manager) and Emmanuella Emmanuel, BSCO ’16 (brand ambassador), as well as Boston University alumnus YiWen Den (associate editor) to round out the team.
One goal is to serve as a platform offering career advice for STEAM students and professionals in the greater Boston area. Site visitors will find tips on acing an interview, building a LinkedIn profile, and working a career fair.
The main part of STEAM’s mission, however, is to empower and inspire Boston’s STEAM community through telling their stories. Stories from students and professionals—mostly in Q&A format—not only offer advice, but also motivate students to challenge themselves. One person explains why they switched majors. Another offers talks about overcoming barriers to earn a degree. One person offers a day in the life as a biomedical engineering student.
Most content features current or former Wentworth students. Ma says the various people he met at Wentworth through his classes, leadership positions, and clubs helped him realize that everyone had a story to tell.
“I met so many students who had something that could impact others,” Ma says. “They had amazing experiences and advice that I felt should be featured with a larger audience.”
That was exactly why he and fellow co-founder Lawal decided to create a website that consolidated inspiring stories and career advice into one platform.
“We want people to know that STEAM isn’t just about science and math; it’s about going beyond and into the community with your passions and skills,” Lawal says. “That’s why we’re trying to show people in the correct light, because STEAM and STEM are more than what people imagine them to be.”
The team hopes to grow and eventually curate more job postings, tailor career advice to specific majors, and introduce new forms of media, including podcasts and Spotify playlists.
“We want people to know that STEAM isn’t just about science and math; it’s about going beyond and into the community with your passions and skills.”
Lawal says that one of his proudest moments was when someone commented on one of their articles and asked for more tips on how to find a job.
“We were so happy when we saw that because it shows that what we’re doing really works and can change lives,” Lawal says. “We want to help people and connect them with the endless opportunities out there, and we’re starting to accomplish that.”
Find more at steamboston.com or follow on social media @SteamBoston.
—Samuel Kim
