Education professionals spend a day at shipyard, learning about career opportunities available for students

Education professionals spend a day at shipyard, learning about career opportunities available for students

By Ben Hutto, PSNS & IMF Public Affairs

BREMERTON, Wash. -

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility played host to 17 educators, administrators and career counselors from various academic institutions from across the state Oct. 21, during the annual PSNS & IMF Educator Day.

The event is designed to provide educators insight to the many professional opportunities available at the shipyard. Those insights can then be used to assist educators as they guide students and help them achieve their career goals - including professional opportunities at PSNS & IMF.

"Educator Day is about building genuine relationships in the community," said Erin Guizzetti, outreach coordinator, Code 1101, STEM Outreach. "Making these connections shares our world with them and helps us gain insight [into] theirs. It allows us to learn from each other to create a pipeline to support the next generation as they start on their career journeys."

During the event, visitors toured the shipyard and witnessed a variety of career opportunities in various settings - from painters who use online training to paint ships to marine machinists who build their own parts - which helped showcase how the work fits together in support of the Navy's mission.

Eric Hermosillo, a counselor with Washington Youth Challenge Academy, returned to PSNS & IMF after previously serving at the shipyard as a Sailor, aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) from 2010-2014.

"It's neat coming back here and seeing it from this side," said Hermosillo. "When you are on the ship as a Sailor, you don't understand how complex everything is. Seeing how everything works together now is enlightening."

While his return was nostalgic, the knowledge Hermosillo is taking back to his students is most important.

"The kids I work with are looking for opportunities when they graduate," he said. "I'm glad we got to come here today so we can see and share those opportunities with them. This place is a great way to earn a living and help your country at the same time. Not everyone has to join the military to become a part of something greater than themselves. I think there are jobs here that could do that for the kids I work with. That's really what this is about; finding opportunities for them."

The day-long tour included an interactive lunch session, hosted by a panel representing multiple areas of the command. Panelists shared their professional journeys with the educators and answered their questions.

The educators also participated in a meet-and-greet with various command representatives, where they learned about the culture, career pathways and professional development at PSNS & IMF. Representatives from the Wellness Center, Command University, the Command Career Center and Employee Resource Groups all participated.

"The event was a success," said Sonja Muir, a business engagement specialist with Work Source Kitsap. "This is a fantastic event! I would like my vocational counselors to have the same tour. Trying a trade task is a great way to learn."