SOUTHEAST TEXAS – Southeast Texas Women in Industry, a 501(c)3 dedicated to empowering future female leaders, wrapped up a successful week-long initiative that culminated with the distribution of $26,000 in scholarships to 31 local high school seniors pursuing educations in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM).
The initiative, which started in 2022, was created by women from 25 different industrial facilities in Southeast Texas from a variety of backgrounds, sharing ideas and collaborating to bring a one-of-a-kind experience to students in Southeast Texas.
The annual Southeast Texas Women in Industry Week initiative includes:
SETX Women in Industry Leadership Luncheon: The flagship luncheon brings 150 students from 22 local high schools and 150 female leaders in industry together to start a mentor-mentee relationship that has the potential to span decades. As part of this event, students are invited to take professional headshots, have resumes reviewed, participate in mock interviews, watch a “what not to wear” fashion show, participate in hair and make-up styling sessions provided by Latimor’s and Erica Duncan, and enjoy lunch with a local female leader. Students are paired with female plant managers, engineers, physicists, elected officials, and more to discuss challenges, career paths, aspirations and more, in an interactive and engaging way.
Coffee Chats- SETX Women in Industry representatives facilitate a “Coffee Chat” session at each of the higher learning institutions in Southeast Texas- Lamar Institute of Technology, Lamar State College Orange, Lamar State College Port Arthur and Lamar University. The Coffee Chats serve to connect students pursuing careers in industry to current leaders. The end goal is to start making connections that will lead to a meaningful career.
Speed Mentoring- Facilitated by the US Coast Guard, speed mentoring opportunities are offered to the area high schools, where industry professionals start the framework for mentor-mentee relationships with quick one-on-one mentoring sessions. 14 area high schools benefitted from this unique opportunity in 2024, where students were paired with leaders from local refineries, ports, plants, and other industrial facilities.
Women in Industry Mixer- The Women in Industry Mixer serves to introduce female leaders in Southeast Texas to one another. More than 100 leaders attended the industry mixer in an effort to strengthen the presence of female leaders in industry.
Scholarship Banquet- The Southeast Texas Women in Industry Scholarship program is available to female students in their senior year of high school who are pursuing an education in a STEM field. The program is funded by industry sponsors who contribute to the Southeast Texas Women in Industry Week initiative. The inaugural SETX Women in Industry Scholarship Banquet took place on April 9, 2024, awarding $26,000 to 31 students. The group has already secured approximately $30,000 to distribute to deserving students at the 2025 banquet.
Participating organizations included:
CP Chem, ExxonMobil, Port Arthur LNG, DOW, Golden Pass LNG, BASF, Cheniere, Entergy, G&G Enterprises, Goodyear, Motiva, Total Energies, Valero, ISTC/GTBR, Port of Beaumont, Port of Port Arthur, Workforce Solutions of Southeast Texas, Associated Builders and Contractors- SETX, APACHE, ECHO, Lanier & Associates Engineering, Tower Security, Turner Industries, the Signature Group, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Together, SETX Women in Industry are forging a path of opportunity and excellence for the next generation of female STEM innovators, ensuring a brighter future for the Southeast Texas workforce.
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