ISU Women and Work Conference March 7 to spotlight trades, technology careers

The seventh annual Idaho State University Women and Work “Opportunities in Trade and Technology Careers” Conference is scheduled March 7 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Pond Student Union Ballroom on the ISU campus in Pocatello.

    The Women and Work Conference, sponsored by the ISU College of Technology Center for New Directions, is provided for women who are either involved with or interested in nontraditional occupations. It is an opportunity to gain information through workshops, speakers, networking and exposure to local training and educational resources. The conference will feature hands-on career exploration, workshops, and keynote speakers.

    Broadcast journalist Brenda Baumgartner will kickoff the conference with a keynote address at 8:45 a.m. Baumgartner joined KPVI-TV in 1999 as executive producer. She currently is the NBC Newschannel 6 news director and co-anchor. Before joining the KPVI staff, she worked as a special projects producer for ABC-News in Washington, D.C., a producer for KUTV in Salt Lake City, and as an anchor/reporter for KIFI-TV in Idaho Falls. She has received many awards.

    Baumgartner was valedictorian of her class at the University of Utah, where she graduated with a broadcast-journalism degree. Her passion for reporting comes from the desire to learn about the people, events and history of eastern Idaho. She is an adjunct professor at Idaho State University in the James E. Rogers Mass Communication Department.

    Sylvia Medina, president and CEO of North Wind, Inc., will speak during the conference luncheon. Sylvia was recognized as one of the top five outstanding entrepreneurs in 2005.

Medina grew up in northern Arizona and received Bachelor of Science degrees in both environmental engineering and biology at New Mexico Tech in Socorro, New Mexico.    North Wind is a leader in environmental engineering and construction, and provides consulting solutions ranging from drilling and excavations operations to serving as a link to universities researching solutions to water pollution. The company has a staff of more than 300, including engineers, environmental scientists, and geographical information specialists.     Attendees will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of workshops on such topics as forensics; sexual harassment, diversity and cultural competency in the workplace; trade careers, professional preparation, image and self promotion.

The conference fee is $18 for the general public and $8.50 for students. The fee includes a continental breakfast and luncheon. Scholarships are available.

For more information or to register, call 282-2454.