Everyone Needs a Role Model: Aramco Inspires STEM Confidence Beyond the Classroom

When successful people reflect on their life and career trajectory, most often they thank a mentor, whom they credit for their current standing. For Aramco Americas’ petroleum engineer, Ebun Andrew, this was absolutely true. 

Ebun Andrew shares her story and support for STEM education during the 2023 Rhode Island “Lights on Afterschool” event in late October. 

“The young engineer you see today is a product of an amalgamation of experiences, but most importantly, remarkable role models and mentors throughout the years. I don’t need to look further than my own life to prove that it does take a village to raise a child because every family member, every teacher, every community member, and leader supported and sustained my growth and interest within the STEM field,” reflected Ebun.   

In front of over 150 afterschool leaders, students, legislators, and other community members, Ebun thanked the role models that helped influence her career journey. From navigating STEM as a woman to the impact of afterschool in her life, Ebun reinforced the importance of role models and mentors, one of the many important learning experiences youth gain through out-of-school activities. Ebun said: 

“The secret to my success has been the mentors and positive role models that have crossed my path, each providing a rung for me to climb my ladder of success. And just as I would love to look each of them in the eye and thank them today, I want to say to every community leader, educator, youth leader, partner, and foundation, thank you. Thank you for every lesson you design that fosters understanding and engagement.  Thank you for being a listening ear to what inspires students.  Thank you for going beyond the traditional curriculum to teach.  Thank you for creating a pipeline of highly qualified STEM teachers and educational leaders to ensure adolescent success.  Thank you for taking the initiative to enable young girls like me to make an impact in the STEM field.”

Ebun’s message resonated. 

"Ebun’s personal story of mentorship and exposure to new skills and ideas through afterschool programs was inspirational and touched me with the importance of the work I do each day," said Cherima Folston, Operations Director, Pawtucket Boys and Girls Club in Rhode Island. 

Ebun Andrew (center), petroleum engineer, Aramco Americas Research & Development, is on a mission to help inspire youth and spark their interest in STEM. She advocates for afterschool education programs as part of Aramco’s involvement with the Million Girls Moonshot, an initiative of the STEM Next Opportunity Fund. 

Ebun’s keynote was made possible by her employer Aramco Americas, motivated by their partnership with the Million Girls Moonshot and commitment to make a positive impact in the communities of their workforce. Aramco Americas is a partner of the national Moonshot initiative which inspires and prepares the next generation of innovators by engaging millions more girls in STEM learning opportunities through afterschool and summer programs. 

With Rhode Island Lt. Governor Sabina Matos in attendance to issue a proclamation for “Lights on Afterschool Day,” the event was part of the state’s celebration of the significance of afterschool experiences for youth and their communities. 

Ebun recounted how afterschool programs helped build her confidence and let her know that she would be ok. This made a big impact on the afterschool educators in attendance. 

Ebun Andrew (center), petroleum engineer, Aramco Americas Research & Development, speaks at the 2023 Rhode Island “Lights on Afterschool” event in support of STEM education through our partnership with the Million Girls Moonshot initiative. Rhode Island Lt. Governor Sabina Matos issued a proclamation for “Lights on Afterschool Day” and joined educators and afterschool program leaders at the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket. 

"Ebun and the youth keynote speakers further validated for me that afterschool is so important and the center of developing confidence in our youth so that they can be successful," said Rebecca Davila, site coordinator of Connecting for Children and Families. "Being ‘ok’ is so important for our children, especially after the pandemic, and Ebun's message that afterschool made her feel ok really resonated with me.” 

Afterschool spaces, like the Boys and Girls Club, have always been and continue to be safe places for students to explore with their peers, work in teams, and develop greater self-awareness. 

Understanding the value of afterschool, Aramco has worked with STEM Next’s Million Girls Moonshot to expand such opportunities for millions more students across the country. Aramco selected Ebun to speak at Rhode Island’s Lights On Afterschool event to help us all re-imagine who can build, who can invent, who can engineer.