SHPE - Winter 2009 - (Page 16)

MEET THE PRESIDENTS Region V Tulsa, Oklahoma Region V Austin, Texas Humberto Barreda According to Humberto Barreda, one of the chapter’s main responsibilities is connecting local Hispanic students with engineering professionals. “I think the key to have Hispanic students Equipping succeed is to have them learn from those of us members with who are already in the professional world, marketable sharing with them our experiences either via skills is key round tables, one-on-one discussions or via to Barreda. formal training,” Barreda explained. As a senior project manager for John Zink Company, LLC, he is certainly one of those professionals. A member of SHPE for the last five years, Barreda recognizes the important role events have in reconnecting with old friends and making new contacts. “The most amazing thing is to meet people and share our experiences,” he said. “For me, attending SHPE events is like attending a huge MBA school.” He also sees SHPE-Tulsa as providing other services to its members besides the clear networking opportunities. “I think our main task is to help SHPE members understand the magnitude of the economic crisis…and what type of tools they need to have in their professional suitcases to be more attractive to future employers,” Barreda said. Karen Mariela Siles While a student at George Mason University, Karen Mariela Siles participated in a summer program sponsored by the Center for the Advancement of Hispanics in Science and Siles helped Engineering Education (CAHSEE). Through it, she her chapter to learned of the opportunities that were available build a learning with SHPE. Since that time, Siles has played an center within active role in her student and professional SHPE the community. chapters. Serving in a variety of positions while at GMU, and formerly the treasurer of SHPEAustin, Siles brings a record of leadership to her current tenure as chapter president. One of SHPE-Austin’s most recent projects was building the Professional Learning Center for the Armadillo RV Park community. “This learning center will not only help children get introduced to computers and technology at an early age, but also help parents to understand these concepts,” she said. Her involvement with this project has led to many moments, which, according to Siles, are the most gratifying part of working with SHPE. “The most rewarding moments in SHPE have been those moments where I realized that my contributions to a certain event or project have changed someone else’s life in a positive manner.” A software engineer at IBM, Karen Siles has been a SHPE member for five years. Humberto Barreda, a SHPE member for five years, works as a senior project manager for John Zink Company, LLC. Region V Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Fort Worth, Texas Region V Texas Bay Area Pablo Antonio Trejo Although originally focused on increasing his local networking opportunities, Pablo Antonio Trejo now sees SHPE as the portal through which local professionals can give back to the Trejo promotes community. “There are many programs that our the inherent chapter sponsors at local schools that offer training that opportunities for interaction with young people comes with to give them a different perspective on future SHPE leaderopportunities available to them,” he said. ship. SHPE membership also provides another benefit: professional development. “The conferences have offered very good seminars on soft skills that are applicable at home and work,” Trejo added. Yet putting them into practice through active participation in the chapter brings the greatest benefit. “The many leadership opportunities within each SHPE chapter allow members to build and hone skills that are not necessarily part of their day job,” he said. “It is in this respect that they are able to maintain an edge in a volatile employment market. Not only do they own a diverse skill set, but they also show the ability to successfully multitask. This is the inherent training received when active in SHPE.” Kyra Espinosa Espinosa wants to insure that those coming after her have the same opportunities that were once given to her. A professional member for two years, Kyra Espinosa’s SHPE involvement began as a student at Arizona State University and the University of Arizona. Previously, she served as vice president of student affairs while a student. As she transitions into professional chapter leadership, Espinosa appreciates SHPE’s role in her personal and professional development. “The regional conferences have offered great professional development workshops that have helped me grow in my job,” she said. “On a personal side, SHPE is a constant reminder of who I am and that there are other successful Hispanics to admire and look up to.” SHPE-TBAC sometimes combines its regular meetings with informal job networking events. “Each member has the opportunity to present their company’s job openings, making the chapter meeting also a job networking meeting,” she said. Besides this, Espinosa aids in scholarship fundraising through her work with her chapter’s annual golf tournament. “When our chapter gives scholarships, we host a banquet and meet the students,” she said. “It’s so rewarding to know that you are helping the next generation of engineers with their dreams like others helped me achieve mine.” A SHPE member for six years, Pablo Trejo is an electromagnetic environmental effects engineer at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. Kyra Espinosa is an altitude and pointing flight controller at United Space Alliance. SHPE ❘ Winter 2009 16

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of SHPE - Winter 2009

SHPE - Winter 2009 Contents President's Letter Browser Calendar Professional Chapter Leaders - Providing the Right Resources at the Right Time Closing the Expectation Gap - Summit Addresses ‘Diploma to Nowhere’ Conference 2008 A Career Building Diversity in Engineering Education Graduate STEM Degrees Extend Technical Reach Programs & Services Inner Circle Employer Profile Regional Roundup Annual Report Advertisers Index

SHPE - Winter 2009

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