MTA Hosts the Largest-Ever Youth Technology Tour for Local Students
Contributed by Emma Corby
Since 2021, MTA has hosted the Youth Technology Tour, welcoming local students into their headquarters in Palmer, Alaska. Throughout the day, students partake in activities and interactive sessions to learn about all the different, unique career opportunities in telecommunications. This experience has done nothing but grow over the past four years.
In October, MTA had its largest Youth Tech Tour to date, with over 120 local students from Mat-Su Career & Tech High School in attendance. This tour was so large that, for the first time ever, the students were split up into two groups, attending on two separate days.
MTA’s Manager of Government & Community Affairs, Jackie Kenshalo, planned and organized the full day’s agenda for the students, as she has every year since creating the Youth Tech Tour four years ago. Jackie coordinates MTA employees’ schedules with the students’ schedules, bringing the two together to create participatory learning sessions.
The students learned about day-to-day operations with all the departments of MTA that work together to keep everything running smoothly. From Legal to Marketing, Engineering, Finance, and more, the day was full of learning and engagement.
MTA took the learning outdoors for splicing and pole climbing demonstrations. According to some, that was the highlight of the day.
Providing students with hands-on experiences like MTA’s Youth Tech Tour is a powerful way for these young minds to learn about, and even get excited about, different career paths in technology. This tour is insightful for everybody, whether a student knows exactly what they want to pursue, or if they are unsure of what opportunities lie ahead.
The Youth Tech Tour not only introduces kids to exciting career paths, but it also shows them that there’s a real need for a wide variety of careers right here in their hometown. This experience gives them exposure to opportunities and helps them understand that, with the right training or education in areas that interest them, they can build a fulfilling career locally—doing work they’re passionate about.
The impact of this tour continues to grow; students are leaving the Youth Tech Tour not only with a clearer understanding of career opportunities in technology, but also with increased confidence, curiosity, and a sense of belonging in an industry they may not have previously considered.
Every year, MTA employees look forward to sharing their expertise and passion with the local youth. This year’s tour was exceptionally inspiring.