Nearly 200 female high school students interested in pursuing careers in non‑traditional fields gathered at the HFM Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center this week, where they heard firsthand from women who are breaking barriers and leading the way in industries historically dominated by men.
Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, the second annual “Women in the Workforce” career exploration and awareness program once again connected students from 11 HFM area high schools with more than 50 industry professionals. The goal of the event was to broaden students’ understanding of career possibilities and highlight opportunities they may not have previously considered.
The program featured a panel discussion moderated by Christine Carioto, Administrative Coordinator of the HFM BOCES Adult Literacy and Corrections Education program, and Nicole Walrath-VanAlstyne, Interim Executive Director of the Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce, followed by roundtable discussions centering on overcoming barriers, skills and preparation, confidence and mentorship, and a look toward the future.
A continued partnership between HFM CTE and the Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce, the event is part of their combined Career Support Series which focuses on strengthening regional economic growth and developing the future workforce.
“Events like Women in the Workforce show our students that their ambitions truly have no boundaries,” said HFM BOCES Director of Workforce Development & CTE Michael DiMezza. “When young women see professionals thriving in fields where they’ve historically been underrepresented, it sends a powerful message that their voices, talents, and goals belong everywhere.”
Industry professionals in attendance represented a wide range of non-traditional careers, including automotive technology, law enforcement, construction, culinary arts, criminal justice, HVAC and more. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, non-traditional careers for women are defined as those in which female employment makes up 25% or less of the workforce.
Northville Central School senior Arlie Breen, an Autobody Repair student at HFM CTE, who plans to study welding and fabrication at Hudson Valley Community College next fall, said the event reinforced her confidence in pursuing a career in a non‑traditional field.
“It was a very empowering event. Hearing from the participants helped to show that there are so many opportunities to work in non-traditional fields today, and there is so much support out there encouraging young women to enter these fields.”
One of the panelists, Greater Johnstown School District Superintendent Alicia Koster, said that participating in the event was truly inspiring.
“What stood out most to me was the level of curiosity, confidence, and engagement demonstrated by the students,” said Koster. “The thoughtful questions they asked and the genuine interest they showed in exploring different career pathways made it clear that our young women are eager to learn, grow, and make meaningful contributions to their communities.”
Before serving in Johnstown, Koster held administrative roles in school districts across the state, including executive director for finance & management services and chief financial officer — positions historically dominated by men.
DiMezza added, “Providing these opportunities isn’t just about career exploration, but they also help students imagine futures they may never have realized were possible.”
Koster echoed this message.
“My hope is that the young women who attended left feeling empowered and confident in their potential. I want them to know that their voices matter, their ambitions are valid, and there is a place for them in every field they choose to pursue,” she said. “With determination, support, and a willingness to embrace new opportunities, there is truly no limit to what they can achieve.”
‘Women in the Workforce’ is just one of the Career Support Series events to take place this year. Other events scheduled include a skilled trades and engineering event on April 16 at Broadalbin-Perth High School and Career Con for the region’s eighth grade students on April 23 at SUNY FMCC.
