News

In November 2024, 12  students from  Bridge to Employment (BTE) sites in High Wycombe, United Kingdom, Atlanta, Georgia, and Trenton, New Jersey, had the unique opportunity to visit the BTE Englewood site and spend a few days in Jacksonville, Florida, connecting with one another, meeting BTE alumni, and discovering what a career in STEM²D could look like. During their three-day visit, BTE students got to tour local university campuses as well as Johnson & Johnson facilities. They also had the opportunity to explore the city and have fun!

A highlight of the visit was a tour of the NASA facilities, where students got a closer look into space exploration and the many STEM²D career paths needed to make it happen. They also got to visit the Rollins College campus to learn more about their STEM²D programs and learn about the Bonner Institute’s community service and scholarship opportunities for college students.

BTE students dedicated a full day to a tour of J&J Vision, where they explored research & development facilities, met the scientists and engineers who find and design solutions for eye health, and much more. Students learned all about the different types of contact lenses and how technology has evolved in their production over time. Additionally, students learned about the different career pathways available in contact lens production, and discovered relevant high school courses that they could take in order to pursue this path.

J&J employee volunteers were also eager to share with the BTE students how supply chains and logistics factor into bringing in raw materials needed to produce the contact lenses, as well as how shipping and distribution work to get unique prescription lenses to the individuals who need them. Not only were students able to see these processes for themselves, but they were able to ask questions and learn about the experiences of real people working in the field.

Students also had the chance to mingle and connect with each other through several fun activities like a playground-themed escape room! They also had the chance to unwind and try local food at a group dinner.

The visit concluded with a walking tour where students got to learn a bit about Black history in Jacksonville, including a visit to the first-ever hospital created for Black patients in the city.

Overall, the visit was a wonderful opportunity for students to connect with each other, meet more BTE alumni, and discover what a future with STEM²D could look like—all while exploring a new city and personally connecting with other members of the global BTE family!