Attracting adult females to the Process Technology (PTEC™) degree program can be challenging. Unlike high school juniors and seniors, who can be contacted through their schools and through career days, adult females must be contacted wherever they may be – in the workplace, at home, or perhaps attending day or night classes at a higher educational institution.

Once initial contact is made, the second challenge is to introduce the PTEC career to someone who has already begun her adult life. She may have pre-formed opinions about industry work. She may be employed in a job she doesn’t enjoy but is still reluctant to leave a steady paycheck and return to school. Or she may already have a degree and must be convinced that another degree will be worth her investment of time and money.

A Solution

The Process Technology department at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas already conducted STeP institutes for high school females. In the summer of 2005, PTEC Department Chair Mike Speegle added a separate institute for adult females. A flyer and press release advertised both events.

To reach adult females, the press release was sent to the local papers and posted on the college website. Flyers were sent to the area malls, and information was posted on the marquee at the front of the college.

To fully introduce the PTEC career, the adult female institute lasted two days and was limited to 30 participants. In addition, the hours were limited – from 8:30 am to 2:30 p.m. – so that attendees with school-aged children, evening classes, and evening jobs could attend. Shell Oil hosted the institute so that participants could attend at no charge. The host also provided lunch and snacks.

The Adult Female Institute was held in the auditorium on the San Jacinto Central Campus. Participants also were shown the process technology lab. Attendees were offered the following agenda:

• Presentation by PTEC Department Head
• Video and discussion of opportunities
• Female Guest Speakers from Industry
• Tour of one or two plant sites
• Ongoing discussion with Institute Facilitators
• Financial Aid Counselor on 2nd Day

After the 2006 institute, a decision was made to restrict the Institute to one day. This proved more practical, and eliminated problems with participants who only attended one of the two days. The hours will be extended from 2:30 to 3:30 because of this change.