SHPE - Fall 2008 - (Page 36)

ETCC SHPE magazine asked attendees for insight on a matter of national importance: “What must change in order to grow the number of Hispanics in STEM fields?” Students and professionals agreed that early math and science exposure and academic achievement are crucial as are creative means to inspire and orient the next generation of technical professionals. “Introduce students to engineering in a fun format with a more positive message. Too often they hear that engineering is too hard, and that drives them away.” – Cynthia Hos, industrial engineering senior, Rutgers University “Inspiration. SHPE gives leaders like us an advantage. More of us with senior attainment must become positive role models and inspire others.” – Dimas De Jesus, network engineer, Verizon “Create programs for kids at the first-grade level, simple experiments that integrate math and science. Throughout high school, encourage them to take calculus so that they are not behind.” – Nelson Delgado, computer engineering senior, Old Dominion University “Start in middle school. By high school, many already think that math and science are too hard and above their heads. There are a lot of myths out there, and we need to bring them down. SHPE Jr. is a fantastic way to do that.” – Alvaro Sevilla, industrial systems engineering senior, Rutgers University “Provide support programs like SHPE to keep them in college. As long as they do well in college, then there will be a lot of companies and opportunities available to them. – Alejandro Gauna, plant process engineer, Procter & Gamble “Expose students to a day in the life of an engineer so that they can find their best fit.” – Jairo Mato, mechanical engineering senior, Columbia University “Get them started early in earning a good GPA so that they can get into any college and won’t have to worry about financial aid.” – Roger A. Raiza, computer engineering senior, Old Dominion University “Offer more internships for high school students so that they gain exposure to science and engineering and think of college at an earlier age. Use Facebook to advertise about science research, create groups and get information. On Facebook, people are influenced by their friends. If one signs up for a group, the others will probably look into it. This gives them added incentive to go to college.” – Sonia Vali, biomedical engineering graduate student, Polytechnic University “I didn’t have family members in engineering to tell me what to do, so outreach is very important. Provide student and professional panels, FAFSA workshops, laboratory tours and workshops on different engineering disciplines. For many students, this will be their first time on a college campus.” – Luis Hurtado, electrical engineering senior, University of Maryland “Create mentorship projects and partnerships between professionals working in the engineering industry and high school students, since many don’t know any engineers.” – Juan Uribe, chemical engineering sophomore, Cornell University “Orient more Hispanics to match their interests to technical jobs. Help students to see that while engineering may be difficult, it is important and necessary for their future.” – Yoaquim Cintron, computer engineering freshman, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez “The children of many migrant workers are discouraged from pursuing education because the family views it as a waste of time when they could be working to help the family. They don’t see the long-term benefits as something to which they can aspire. The culture has to change. We are lucky to come from stable families that encouraged education. Our fathers are engineers and older students have been our role models and mentors toward career aspirations. Our responsibility is to serve as role models and pass along what we’ve learned and our enthusiasm to others.” – Andrew Pita and Eric Valentin, electrical and biomedical engineering seniors, respectively, at North Carolina State University 36 SHPE ❘ Fall 2008

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of SHPE - Fall 2008

SHPE - Fall 2008 Contents President's Letter From the Vice President Calendar of Events National Board of Directors The Great '08: Chapter Leaders Learn to Spread 'SHPE Fever' Browser National Retreat Provides a Redefinition An Engineer and a Politician Capitalizing on Engineering Talent Grupos de Afinidad A Focused Approach to Getting the Job You Really Want SHPE Conference 2008 IPC Update Programs & Services Keeping Warm with 'Yuper' Familia Spirit Promise of Spring Recruit, Engage and Retain Regional Student Representatives Regional Roundup Advertisers Index

SHPE - Fall 2008

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