SHPE - Winter 2009 - (Page 26)

CONFERENCE 2008 Intel explored the range of technologies affected by the digital transition and challenged students to become “revolutionaries” in their own right by pursuing a multidisciplinary education. “You should follow your own interests rather than get programmed into some educational path that someone is recommending,” he said. Throughout the conference, SHPE Technical and Achievement Recognition (STAR) Awards were presented to individuals who have used their talents to bring about changes within engineering and the Hispanic community. IBM was recognized as Company of the Year for its support of the Society’s mission and vision. SHPE National President Diana Gomez also recognized 12 members with her final selection for President Awards. (Photo ) During the Gala banquet, a “Fotos y Recuerdos” montage honored Diana Gomez’s six years of accomplishments as SHPE’s leader. Lifetime membership was among the changes she instituted, and during this year’s traditional reception, 23 people joined a list that includes more than 200 names. (Photo ) Also, Rebecca Medina of University of Southern California became the first recipient of a scholarship bearing Gomez’s name. “The 2008 SHPE Conference was all it promised to be and more,” said Enrique Gomez, SHPE CEO. “From pre-college and college students to professional and executive members, all of our events were truly successful judging by the numbers and feedback from our sponsors and participants. Also, hundreds of students walked out of the Career Fair with job offers. SHPE has been working for years to improve the academic achievement of our student members and our progress was evident at this conference.” (Photo CEO Gomez with IBM’s Wanda Ronquillo and Frank Angel, recently named IBM’s Hispanic Constituency Program Manager.) “Congratulations to the committee for organizing and conducting the most successful conference in the history of SHPE,” said Manuel Hernandez, SHPE National Vice President and conference chairman. “We have set the bar at the highest point imaginable to date, but I am confident that with your continued involvement, future conferences will surpass what we achieved this year.” (Photo µ Conference chairman and SHPE VP Manuel Hernandez (center) and Co-Hosting chairmen Serafin Fernandez and Barry Cordero.) With the 2009 conference taking place in Washington, D.C., expectations are once again on the rise. ■ SHPE ❘ Winter 2009 The 2008 SHPE Conference Committee. team projects and real research. The result has been a higher retention rate than the national average.” (Photo Carolyn Vallas (standing) of the University of Virginia moderated the advisor program.) Students by far had the greatest struggle of choosing from more than 100 workshops. In addition to 14 hands-on seminars, workshop themes ranged from academic, career, leadership and professional development to cultural awareness, and info sessions to technical demonstrations in various engineering disciplines and industries. “It was a great opportunity for students to see what kinds of problems these companies are trying to solve and how we can make an impact,” said Armando Diaz, a research assistant at the University of Oklahoma. For many students, including Diaz, such workshops allowed them to envision themselves working for the corporations. In addition, 53 MUST Scholars received special instruction pertaining to their NASA experience. With more than 265 companies, government agencies and educational organizations represented, the Career Fair was by far the most anticipated event of the conference. Most booths saw plenty of traffic throughout the day, but it was the students’ advance preparation that most impressed recruiters. The interactions that began during capacityfilled workshops and hospitality suites continued on the exhibition floor. ITT’s Tomas Leal was especially taken by the level of interest and intelligence students demonstrated during his imaging workshop. “The sophistication of their questions was remarkable,” he said. Judy Johnson of the Eaton Corporation, a recent addition to the Industrial PartnerSHPE Council, described SHPE students as very well prepared and engaged, both academi26 cally and professionally. “They had done their homework on the company,” she added. “The students communicated and presented themselves very well,” noted Vasantha Reddy of Boston Scientific. “Many of them have relevant skills and are ready for work.” Although primarily seeking juniors and seniors, she couldn’t help but recommend several sophomores for interviews. For those who didn’t land an interview or a job offer, she advised, “Don’t get discouraged, come back next year, and keep doing what you are doing.” Such determination and hard work result in positive change. Rear Admiral Patrick H. Brady of the U.S. Navy (banquet co-sponsor) reminded students, “Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer, but have an attitude that thrives on rejection.” The evening’s motivational speaker, Dr. Joachim de Posada, added, “Change takes hard work, but successful people are willing to do the work that others won’t.” In helping audience members to reach their ultimate potential, Dr. Posada painted a vivid mental image: a full-grown circus elephant tied by rope to a small wooden stake. “The elephant doesn’t want to be there, but why doesn’t he escape?” he asked. “As a baby, he tried and tried, but he couldn’t escape, so he decided to never try again. Even though he grew up and became stronger, he never tried again to escape. How many people don’t reach a goal simply because they don’t think that they can do it? Mentally, you have to decide to let go of the elephant.” He continued, “People don’t like change, yet if we reject change we won’t be successful. Only those who are motivated by change and see it as an opportunity will succeed.” Distinguished lecturer Justin Rattner of Ken Krehbiel

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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