NSBE Magazine - Fall 2011 - (Page 49)

THE PROFESSIONAL’S PersPectIVe BuILD ThE NSBE Professional Brand By Strauder C. Patton IV, P.E., NSBE National Alumni Extension Chair I have been member of NSBE for more than 15 years, and I am always overwhelmed when I look back on what we, NSBE professionals, have accomplished as a society. To enhance my career, I could be active in many other professional organizations, but I choose NSBE, not only because of how it benefits me but also because of the opportunities NSBE offers to build up my community and help those who share my background. But despite all of our accomplishments, I still believe that NSBE’s biggest draw is its potential. And the NSBE Alumni Extension is one of the greatest potential sources of power within our organization. “Building the NSBE Professional Brand” is the first of three strategic focus areas for NSBE Alumni Extension’s national organization, regions and chapters this year. The others are “Increasing NSBE–AE Participation” and “Developing Our NSBE Professional Chapters.” These areas were chosen to help realize the AE’s vision for NSBE, which is “to be the premier career access organization for black technical professionals, and to develop and impact our active NSBE professional members to succeed as future corporate leaders, technical experts in industry and strong stewards of our communities.” Today, having a strong brand has broad meaning. It isn’t just about great advertising or public relations. It also means putting an emphasis on other things, including the quality of the product, strong leadership, the membership base, organization strategy and communication methods. I believe that to Build the NSBE Professional Brand, we will need to focus on enhancing NSBE’s career access opportunities, its professional image, its value to the membership and its member experiences. Toward these ends, many national and regional initiatives have been put in place this year. Every AE chapter and sponsor can support these NSBE initiatives, by being active in your communities to elevate the NSBE brand, staying connected to NSBE national news and events, and encouraging your members to participate in NSBE national programs. Make Building the NSBE Professional Brand part of your day-to-day activities and one of your local objectives. I look forward to working for you to Build the NSBE Professional Brand. Please keep in touch with my NSBE Alumni Extension news and information weekly posts by following the newly launched National AE Chair’s Blog at http://blogs.nsbeprofessionals.org. Be safe, and have a great autumn. ■ “…The NSBE Alumni Extension is one of the greatest potential sources of power within our organization.” www.nsbe.org • CAREER ENGINEER • fall 2011 • 49 http://blogs.nsbeprofessionals.org http://www.nsbe.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NSBE Magazine - Fall 2011

NSBE Magazine - Fall 2011
Contents
The Next Level
Achievement Finds an Ally
Leadership, Your Way
The Programs Zone
Dr. Philicity Williams of the National Security Agency
Chapter News
Membership News
International News
NSBE Advisor Makes History
Pack Out Pittsburgh!
Empowered by Vision
Top Officers
St. Lucian Students Thrive at IIT
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
SEEKing Excitement for STEM
What’s New?
NSBE Calendar
The Professional’s Perspective
Shifting to Renewables for Electric Power
Alumni Officers
The Japan Effect
AE Members on the Move
Golden Torch Honoree
‘Brother Founder’ Donates $100K to NSBE
XL’ent!
Building Successful AE Chapters
Advertisers Index

NSBE Magazine - Fall 2011