High school girls convened to explore tech careers during SheTech’s summer Career Exploration Internship, gaining inspiration, skills, and connections while discovering that creativity, confidence, and curiosity are key to succeeding in the tech world.
Salt Lake City, Utah - June 26, 2025
From June 10th to 20th, girls from Utah and nearby states gathered for the SheTech Career Exploration Internship, organized by the Women Tech Council and hosted by several Utah-based tech companies. These high school students had the chance to meet inspiring female role models and hear their advice firsthand.
The women emphasized the importance of staying curious, being adaptable, and pushing forward with determination. Andrea Henderson from Domo, along with representatives from KeSTA I.T., also encouraged the girls to be authentic and true to themselves.
A recurring message throughout the event was that girls absolutely belong in tech—their perspectives aren't just welcome, they're essential. Kat Oertli, Quality Assurance Workstream Leader and Art Manager at NiCE, put it plainly: “You deserve that job, especially as a woman.” The environment was all about empowerment, with mentors cheering the girls on to keep exploring the tech world.
One SheTech intern admitted that her parents made her sign up, but came away surprised, saying, “I learned there’s a place for me in tech.” Another student was excited to discover careers related to things she already loves. Many were amazed at how many different types of jobs exist in tech—some they’d never even heard of before.
Creativity was another big theme. At Vivint, facilitators talked about how their company celebrates innovation, especially during their innovation week. Michelle Zundel, a UX and product design director, explained how her creative and determined approach helped her successfully innovate the Vivint system.
Speakers at Vivint encouraged the girls to take on tough challenges as a way to grow and succeed. Over at Domo, mentors suggested dreaming up projects and taking on challenges as ways to practice and sharpen skills.
No matter what stage of life or career you're in, the speakers all agreed on one thing: always be learning and looking for new opportunities. Savannah Woodall, Program Manager for the Women Tech Council, shared that she’s currently taking a college course on AI as part of her own growth.
The importance of exploring different career paths was highlighted over and over. At NiCE, speakers urged the girls to “always explore,” “be flexible,” and try new things. One panelist from Vivint talked about switching roles within the company to keep learning and avoid getting stuck. Angela Layton from the Women Tech Council encouraged taking every opportunity and, along with Woodall, emphasized the value of being well-rounded. Many of the professionals mentioned that their college majors had little to do with their current jobs—but the skills they gained still came in handy.
The speakers and panelists were down-to-earth and relatable, which helped the girls connect with them. They opened up about struggles with confidence, public speaking, communication, and being underrepresented in the field. But they also shared how they overcame those challenges, showing the girls that success is absolutely within reach.
By the end of the internship, all of the girls were more interested in tech careers—and many left with their sights set on the companies they visited. These included Vivint, Adobe, Domo, Entrata, Zions Bank, Goldman Sachs, Space Dynamics Laboratory, Utah State University, NiCE, Thanksgiving Point, and Awardco. They were excited to see how welcoming and fun tech workplaces can be. And most importantly, every participant left with new connections to professionals who can support and empower them as they move forward.