Romulus High School Eagles Inspired by STEM and Skills Trades Career Panel

The Institute for STEM Education, Outreach and Workforce Development at Eastern Michigan University (EMU STEM Ed Institute) and Romulus High School (RHS) collaborated to host a STEM and Skilled Trades Career Panel on Thursday, February 5, 2026. The panel was held in the auditorium with over 200 high school students in attendance. This program was generously sponsored by a General Motors (GM) Community Impact Grant Program.

The student-focused career event kicked off with a lunch for the panelists catered by culinary arts students in the newly renovated Eagle’s Nest restaurant housed within RHS. Culinary arts is an important and popular Career and Technical Education (CTE) program for RHS students.

The panelists included Robert Watson, full-time Welding Development Engineer with GM; Damian Rotarov, Corporate Process Engineer at the Michigan Sugar Company; Sibrina Collins, Director, EMU STEM Ed Institute; and Felicia Wiseman, Journeyman Inside Wireman with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 58 in Detroit, Michigan. The panel was moderated by Kharena Coleman, Partnerships Coordinator for Romulus Community Schools.

The panelists shared some important career advice with the students including how to choose the right career pathway, favorite things about their jobs and the importance of soft skills. Rotarov shared that one approach for selecting a career path is to think about what products (e.g. tablets) you like and start conducting research on the company regarding internships and job opportunities. Watson shared that his favorite thing about his role is “solving problems to build safer vehicles.”
The conversation about soft skills was a highlight of the panel. Wiseman stated, “Be on time, fully engaged the whole time you are there.” Wiseman also shared that her father was an important mentor for her career in construction. Watson emphasized pursuing public speaking opportunities to improve communication skills. Collins shared that communication and emotional intelligence are very important for careers.

The high school students asked several questions of the panelists. What was your biggest challenge in your career? How many years of schooling are required for your current role? The students were very inspired by the panelists’ journeys in STEM and the skilled trades. 

There are important key connections between EMU and RHS. Both share the same mascot (Eagles), and some RHS educators and administrators are EMU alumni. The EMU STEM Ed Institute looks forward to continuing our partnership with RHS to encourage students to pursue careers in STEM and the skilled trades.

About the EMU STEM Ed Institute
Founded in 2023, the Institute for STEM Education, Outreach and Workforce Development at Eastern Michigan University, is a community-driven hub to promote STEM education and encourage local students to pursue a career in the STEM fields and skilled trades. The mission of the STEM Ed Institute is to serve and sustainably support and strengthen the community's cultural wealth related to STEM educational opportunity, outreach, and workforce development. For more information, please visit the STEM Ed Institute website.