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Sumter students learning about STEM: Boeing reps present on aerospace industry

Boeing representatives visited Sumter schools on to share the benefits of STEM-related careers and the aerospace industry with students.

SUMTER, S.C. — Students in Sumter County learned about STEM types of jobs through one of the state’s big industries: Boeing. 

For those who don't know, STEM is an abbreviation for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 

"STEM education, STEM inspiration, that’s really what we’re about," Swati Patel with Boeing said.

Along with other Boeing representatives, Patel is visiting schools across the state to talk about the aerospace industry and the importance of STEM-related careers.

"Making sure students know that we’re here and that you can come to Boeing and come work at Boeing just like anybody else can," Patel said. "Even though we’re this big global company doesn’t mean that people here right in South Carolina can’t come work for us."

"I think it helps better train the students and students can see the importance of STEM in today’s society," Hillcrest Middle School Principal Tarsha Staggers said.

On Monday, Hillcrest students and educators learned more about careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

"It’s very important. We can’t do anything today in today’s society without STEM," Staggers said. "It's needed in our daily lives, it’s needed in the workforce, it’s just needed. So we here as educators, we push STEM each and every day."

From working for Boeing to different suppliers throughout the state, Erika Williams with Sumter Economic Development says giving students the option to pursue jobs in STEM is helpful for the entire community.

"Students can know that they can have great jobs, great careers right here in Sumter that impact the entire world," Williams said.

The message was spread throughout Sumter as Boeing representatives visited Hillcrest and Sumter Career and Technology Center

"It was great to see so many members of the community here which once again talks about the dynamics in how business and community and education, how we all partner, collaborate to make sure that the students have what they need not just now, but future generations and into perpetuity," Williams said.

Boeing employs more than 6,000 people at its two plants in South Carolina and is one of only three aerospace production sites in the world where twin-aisle commercial airplanes are assembled and delivered.

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