NSBE - Winter 2010/2011 - 11

ThE ProgrAMs zoNE

sues as far as black students at universities, by maybe getting them to attend your school.” But ultimately, Pollard says, working with NSBE Jr. students is a matter of social responsibility. “I know for a fact that if I didn’t have a mentor, I wouldn’t be where I’m at

today,” she says. “Someone was there for you. You should be there for someone else.” For more information about helping NSBE Jr. chapters, please contact NSBE’s Programs team at programs@nsbe. org. ■

NEED A SCHOLARSHIP? R.E.A.D.!
By Kari L. Brown, NSBE National Academic Excellence Chair

t’s that time of year again! During the late winter months, our members are afforded many opportunities to apply for scholarships. Many of these scholarships come with internship opportunities attached. We want to help you prepare to seek these benefits. Applying for scholarships is simple when you R.E.A.D.!

other scholarship applications. Cut and paste sentences or even paragraphs from essays you have written for scholarships in the past, being sure to address the essay topic. Before you know it, your essay will be done!

Ask
Your professors, peers and family want you to succeed. Completing a scholarship application should never be a solo process. Ask for help and advice from these constituents and also faculty and advisors at your school. Have them read over your essays to check spelling, grammar and usage, and to make sure you’ve actually written about the essay topic. Take your resume to your career services office, CONTINUED ON pAgE 13

reAD
In a rush to apply for as many scholarships as possible, we sometimes miss key eligibility requirements such as major, year in school and grade point average (GPA). Time is so precious. Don’t waste time and energy applying for a scholarship you are not eligible for. At the same time, share the wealth! If you are not eligible for a scholarship but you know someone who may be, share this information with her or him. You can post the link on NSBEWorld and share it with tons of friends. Scholarships shouldn’t be a secret. There is enough grant money out there to go around. So, share!

“Scholarships shouldn’t be a secret. …So, share!”

readers bloggers bar raisers trailblazers apps kicker socializers

essAy
For many, the essay is the most difficult part of the scholarship application process. Engineers have a reputation for not being able to read and write. “We just do the calculations.” Well, that is just not true! To be an effective engineer, you must be able to articulate your scientific findings in written form. A great way to practice is with scholarship essays, which require you to articulate your position on a topic or express your goals and interests. Don’t be frightened by the number of words the essay requires, either. I have found that many times I am way over the word count and need to cut my essay down. Why? I don’t think; I just write! Think of your essay as a story you are telling to an adolescent. You want it to be clear and concise while allowing the teen to be captivated by your words. There should be an introduction, a climax and a conclusion, just as in one of your favorite films. After you write one great essay, it is easy to tweak it for
www.nsbe.org

Join software innovators in creating Intel’s computing revolution.

We are game changers, plain and simple. At Intel, we see the everyday as a bar that continually needs to be raised Step inside our world and you’ll ﬁnd one brilliant mind after another. A fully synergistic think tank ﬁlled with rocket fuel. We do more than deliver the latest technologies and transform the coolest gadgets. We’re starting a revolution. We’re delivering the future. Visit our website at intel.com/go/softwarejobs because at Intel, it’s not just what you do, but who you are that counts.

nsbe magazine • winter

2010/11 • 11

NSBE - Winter 2010/2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NSBE - Winter 2010/2011