Powering Pathways to STEM Careers: Inside the Self-eSTEM x PG&E Career Exposure Day

On November 25, 2025, Self-eSTEM Innovators stepped inside Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) Company’s Oakland headquarters for a high-impact Career Exposure Day. The event was designed to illuminate real pathways into data, AI, engineering, and organizational leadership for underserved youth and early-career young adults in STEM. Self-eSTEM Innovators were hosted by PG&E, led by Expert Community Relations Specialist Austin Claiborne, and taken through an experience offering students a rare look into how one of California’s largest utilities operates, and where their future careers could fit.

For many participants, this was their first time inside a corporate headquarters. Navigating the check-in process, moving through secured floors, and entering formal workspace environments gave students essential early exposure to professional norms and expectations. The day continued with an Office Exploration & Organizational Overview, where students saw how PG&E uses KPI dashboards, real-time data, and cross-functional collaboration to manage their day to day and ensure safety and reliability. This reinforced Self-eSTEM’s commitment to helping students understand not only STEM content but also how large organizations make decisions and manage complex operations.

A standout moment of the day was the Career Journeys in Data and AI Panel featuring two PG&E professionals, Revathi Muralidharan and Ana Maria Nungo, from the data and technology teams. Together, they shared how data, analytics, and AI shape daily work across the organization. They also emphasized the importance of problem-solving, communication, and adaptability, skills that define modern STEM careers and are essential for entry into technical roles.

Early Impact: What Students Told Us

Self-eSTEM collected anonymous post-event surveys to measure learning and immediate behavior shifts. Early responses show strong impact.

The Data Analytics/AI Panel and the Internships & Scholarships Session were identified as the most valuable parts of their day. For one collegiate participant, their immediate next step was clear: “I plan to use the LinkedIn filters I learned to connect with the right people and not navigate blindly but navigate with a plan.”

What Our Innovators Gained

Students left the experience with:

• A clearer sense of how their STEM skills map to real roles in a utility company
• Greater confidence operating in a professional environment
• Stronger language to articulate their interests and goals
• Concrete next steps tied to internships, networking, and career planning

For many, the day shifted them from simply imagining a STEM career to actively preparing for one.

With Gratitude

We extend our appreciation to PG&E, and especially to Austin Claiborne, for hosting an experience that blended access, learning, and professional development. Partnerships like this ensure that underserved youth and young adults in STEM have not only equitable but tangible access to high-value career pathways.

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