AERA Energy Makes Donation To Support STEM Career Exploration

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Aera Energy is helping get Kern County college students excited about future careers in STEM fields. Aera will present a $15,000 check to Bakersfield College to kick off its 2024 MESA STEM and Pre-Health Conference on March 23, where about 600 students will take part in educational workshops, hear inspiring speeches and network with working professionals from the STEM and health care fields.

“Aera Energy’s generous contribution will help enhance student learning, with a particular focus on STEM and pre-health fields,” said Bakersfield College MESA Director Connie Gonzalez, who said the donation will help support conference costs and bolster MESA program activities throughout the year. “It will also improve community and industry partnerships while providing opportunities for local talent. Our aim is to create a positive impact today that will benefit our students and community tomorrow. We’re grateful for Aera’s longtime support of our students and STEM programs."

Aera employees apply STEM knowledge to the work they do every day to produce the oil and gas California depends on, while developing technology such as carbon capture and storage for a better energy future for California. Aera is committed to helping build strong communities through its support of education and building a strong STEM workforce of the future.

“The innovative and entrepreneurial spirit you see at Aera and across California requires people to see the energy transformation as an opportunity to collaborate and put their passion for STEM to work,” said Aera Senior Director for External Affairs Janea’ Benton. “That’s why we support students pursuing educational pathways that can lead to promising STEM careers — they could very well be the doctors, nurses, teachers, scientists and even energy leaders who will develop California’s energy future.”

Aera’s support of Bakersfield College goes back nearly 30 years. Since 1995, Aera has donated nearly $400,000 to support STEM programs at Bakersfield College including a $250,000 donation in 2016 to establish the Aera STEM Student Success Center at the college.

Aera Check Presentation Ceremony
Saturday, March 23 @ 9:00AM
Third-Floor Ballroom at Renegade Events Center, Bakersfield College Panorama Campus