July 27, 2018
This week, U.S. Cellular visited the Regal Entertainment Teen Center at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley to help increase understanding of and interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers. U.S. Cellular engineers conducted an “Ask an Engineer” session to engage with youth and show real-world applications of STEM specifically through engineering careers.
On July 25, U.S. Cellular engineers visited the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley for an “Ask an Engineer” session to engage with youth and show real-world applications of STEM specifically through engineering careers. Pictured from left: Roza Smith, Rosa Taylor, U.S. Cellular systems performance engineer Derick Norris, Maddie Taylor, Ciara Huguley, Lucia Vasquez, Lydia Morrow, Breana Robinson, Tyra Tabors, U.S. Cellular access operations manager Joey Chandler, Alexandra Ramos, Bailee Rose, Samuel Hensley and Vera Wilmoth.
The “Ask an Engineer” session is an opportunity to bring engineering to life for kids and spotlight the different career paths that are available with a technical or engineering education. U.S. Cellular wants to motivate youth in Knoxville to explore career opportunities in engineering and to encourage a more diverse engineering workforce in the future.
“At U.S. Cellular, we are committed to highlighting the importance of STEM education and explaining firsthand how technology affects our everyday activities is a great learning experience for area youth,” said Joey Chandler, access operations manager for U.S. Cellular in Tennessee. “We’re excited to provide opportunities like this through our relationship with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley for youth to explore different career paths.”
During the visit, club youth were able to explore U.S. Cellular’s network testing vehicle and equipment, and a tracked ATV that is used to reach remote cellular tower locations. The U.S. Cellular engineers demonstrated how the network operates and how they regularly monitor it. Chandler described how voice and date is transmitted across the U.S. Cellular network, surprising the teens with the fact that the first mobile phone call was made in 1973. They also discussed their experiences in the STEM field.
“My team maintains the equipment at the cell sites, and we provide the signal on every U.S. Cellular phone,” Chandler said. “It is an excellent field to work in and requires a constant growing skill set. We are continuing to learn every day because of the rapid change in technology.”
U.S. Cellular has a longstanding commitment to the community and education. Earlier this year the company donated $25,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley and an additional $8,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the state.
About U.S. Cellular
U.S. Cellular is the fifth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to elevate the customer experience. The Chicago-based carrier offers coverage where the other carriers don’t and a wide range of communication services that enhance consumers’ lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses and improve the efficiency of government operations. For the fifth time in a row, U.S. Cellular has the Highest Wireless Network Quality Performance, according to J.D. Power’s twice-annual U.S. Wireless Network Quality Performance Study, and 99 percent of customers have access to 4G LTE speeds. To learn more about U.S. Cellular, visit one of its retail stores or www.uscellular.com. To get the latest news, promos and videos, connect with U.S. Cellular on Facebook.com/uscellular, Twitter.com/uscellular and YouTube.com/uscellularcorp.
