High school can be like a buffet when it comes to career exploration, says Ethan Hudson, a sophomore at South Fayette High School.

“You have to try a little bit of this and that, so you know what it’s like,” said Hudson, 15.

That was part of the thought process among members of the South Fayette student-led club SHOUT — Social Handprints Overcoming Unjust Treatment — to invite five women working professionally in the technology field to a panel discussion Wednesday at the high school.

Speakers were Cheroc Slater, senior customer success account manager at Microsoft; Taryn Malavite Babb, manager of IT business applications at Eos Energy; Christine Htoon, senior engineering program manager at Google; Kolicia Davis, identity and access management project manager at PNC Bank; and Lynette Lortz, cybersecurity and computer science teacher at South Fayette High School.

The discussion touched on the women’s career journeys, challenges faced and insights into the future of their field. It was moderated by Hudson and sophomore Hana Khazisyed.

“This is something we do where students can engage in conversations with real-life, important people in professions that they want to be in,” said Khazisyed, 16. “In lots of jobs, we see male professionals a lot. We wanted to have women invited so everyone feels involved and important.”

About 75% of Gen Z youth are interested in STEM careers, with many expressing interest in tech-related roles, according to a Gallup and Walton Family Foundation report.

“It’s important for students to learn about this,” Khazisyed said. Women make up around 26% of the STEM workforce, according to the Women in Tech Network.

Slater remembers being outnumbered — or at times, the only woman in the room — early in her career.

“It was a little frightening,” she said. “I was like, did I choose the right career? I stuck with it … don’t let something like that deter your determination. We’re all human. I can do what a male can do in IT.”

Organizers hoped students were more inspired after listening to the experts.

“It’s about being curious and — I’m going to say it — nosy,” Davis told the students. “Everyone’s a person at the end of the day. Ask the question. It will never hurt you or the person you’re asking. Be hungry — not aggressive — but hungry.”