2022 Hispanic Engineer & Information Technology | SPRING - VOL. 37, NO. 1

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Spring 2022 | $6.95

Dr. Yazmin Feliz:

BLAZING HER OWN TRAIL AND GIVING BACK Yazmin Feliz, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Researcher Columbia University

INSIDE • STEM jobs that don’t require a 4-year degree • Showcasing the ingenuity of Cuban scientists

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Jobs in the Metaverse

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Innovation Driven

by Inclusion Creating the world’s most innovative aerospace products and services requires a diverse and inclusive global team. Join us.

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Boeing.com/Careers Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

FEATURES

CONTENTS

COVER STORY 32

Get to know the story of this year’s GEM Outstanding Young Alumna Dr. Yazmin Feliz, and learn how she is blazing her own path and helping her community.

Dr. Feliz smiles as she receives a National GEM Consortium Graduate Fellowships in Science, Engineering, and STEM award at the 2021 Women of Color STEM Conference.

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INSIDE

VACCINE DEVELOPMENT IN CUBA

“The idea that Cuba, with only 11 million people and limited income, could be a biotech power might be incomprehensible for someone working at Pfizer, but for Cuba, it is possible. Read and find out how they did it.”

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HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | SPRING 2022

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PUBLISHER'S PAGE VOLUME 37 | NUMBER 1

DEPARTMENTS News & Events .................... 8

Get the latest news and critical academic dates.

Internships .........................12

Need an internship? It’s not too late apply for these opportunities now.

Graduate Life ................... 16 Before you apply, here are a few things you should consider about grad school.

Financial Aid ................... 20 We have 10 finance tips every student should know.

Scholarships .....................24

Here are the scholarships you should know about, and how you can get them.

Blue Collar STEM .............28

Not all high-paying jobs require a fouryear degree. Check out these blue-collar STEM careers.

CHANGING THE FACE OF HIGHER EDUCATION

According to a recent Pew Research report, the higher education pipeline in the U.S. suggests a long path for increasing diversity in fields like computing and engineering. The study, published in April 2021, found the share of Hispanics earning a bachelor’s degree in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) increased from 8 percent in 2010 to 12 percent in 2018.

However, since the coronavirus outbreak, Hispanic college enrollment has declined. This February, the University of Arizona (UA) announced a five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education to increase support for Hispanic and low-income STEM students.

According to UA, the Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) typically has about 11,000 undergraduates in STEM majors at any given time. In 2019, the UA was one of nine institutions to receive the Seal of Excelencia from Excelencia in Education, an authority on accelerating Latino student success in higher education. Last fall, 10 more institutions earned the seal. Miami Dade College (MDC) enrolls almost 90,000 students, with 72 percent Hispanic. In addition, 51 percent are first-generation college students, 43 percent come from households with incomes below the poverty line, and 78 percent work while attending college.

MDC awarded 16,650 degrees in 2019­–2020 and led Florida in economic mobility.

“These Seal-certified institutions have been able to demonstrate they are modeling the behavior we need to see to accelerate Latino student success,” said Deborah Santiago, co-founder and CEO of Excelencia in Education, in a statement. Santiago added that the institutions account for one in three Latino graduates. “Combined, they enrolled 10 percent of all Latino college students and graduated 12 percent of all Latinos in the U.S. That is powerful and says a lot about their intentionality.”

Community College Life....................... 40

If your perception of junior colleges dates back to when you were in high school, bring your notions up to date and discover the value these institutions can offer.

Tyrone D. Taborn Publisher and Chief Content Officer

Career Outlook ................43 The metaverse is upon us. Here is the information you need for this exciting new area.

• Industry Overview • Job Horizon • People to Know

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Visit Hispanic Engineer & IT magazine online www.hispanicengineer.com

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HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | SPRING 2022

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SUBSCRIBE Online

VOLUME 37 | NUMBER 1 EXECUTIVE OFFICE Tyrone D. Taborn, CEO and Chief Content Officer Jean Hamilton, President and CFO Alex Venetta, Associate Publisher, Manager of Partner Services Eric Price, Vice President, Recruitment and Professional Training

sdvwvefvvwdvdvdvwdv

EDITORIAL AND CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Rayondon Kennedy, Managing Editor Lango Deen, Technology Editor Ada Romano, Assistant Editor Michael Fletcher, Contributing Editor Gale Horton Gay, Contributing Editor Garland L. Thompson, Contributing Editor Roger Witherspoon, Contributing Editor

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Beverly Wladkowski, Art Director Bryan Davis, Digital Director Rachael DeVore, Digital Channel Manager Courtney Taborn, Digital Marketing Manager

DIGITAL PLATFORM DEVELOPMENT

Stacy Bowles, Digital Platform Development Manager Faye Gruzinski, Events Content Manager Nikkie Stevens, Communications and Sourcing Specialist

CORPORATE AND ALUMNI RELATIONS

Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd, CCG Alumni Committee Chair and President Dr. Eugene DeLoatch, Chairman, BEYA Alumni Group Vice Admiral Walter J. Davis, USN (Ret) National Chair, BEYA Military Alumni Oliver “Bo” Leslie, Retired Program Manager, Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions, The Boeing Company Monica E. Emerson, Women of Color STEM Conference National Chair Matt Bowman, CCG Military Program Manager Stars and Stripes Committee Executive Director/Chief of Staff for VADM Walt Davis, USN (Ret.) Ty Taborn, Esq., Corporate Counsel

SALES AND MARKETING

Gwendolyn Bethea, Vice President, Corporate Development Kameron Nelson, Account Executive Elyse Holdaway, Account Executive Kenyatta Malloy, Sales Support Assistant Jay Albritton, Account Executive

JOBMATCH AND STUDENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Ashley Turner, University & Professional Relations Development Manager Rod Carter, Recruitment Specialist, College Relations Shelia Richburg, College Coordinator

CONFERENCE AND EVENTS

Ana Bertrand, Conference Coordinator Jennifer Roberts, Customer Success Manager Brandon Newby, Administrative Assistant Rutherford & Associates, Conference Planning

ADVERTISING SALES OFFICE Career Communications Group, Inc. 729 E. Pratt Street, Suite 504 Baltimore, MD 21202 Phone: (410) 244-7101 / Fax: (410) 752-1837 www.hispanicengineer.com ike us on Facebook: L facebook.com/HEITMAG

Hispanic Engineer & Information Technology, (ISSN 10883452) is a publication devoted to science and technology, and to promoting opportunities in STEM fields for Hispanic Americans.

This publication is bulk mailed to universities and colleges nationwide and in Puerto Rico.

The editors invite editorial submissions directed toward the goals of Hispanic Engineer & Information Technology. In particular, HE&IT magazine wishes to present ideas, current events, and personality profiles of successful Hispanic Americans in science, technology, and related business pursuits. Fully developed articles may be sent, but queries are strongly encouraged.

Articles and letters should be sent to: Hispanic Engineer & Information Technology, Editorial Department, 729 E. Pratt Street, Suite 504, Baltimore, MD 21202. No manuscript will be returned unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Hispanic Engineer & Information Technology cannot be responsible for unsolicited material. Copyright ©2022 by Career Communications Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

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Caring for the Land and Serving People

Building on over 100 years of stewardship to meet the needs of present and future generations

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Learn more about careers with the Forest Service at

https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/jobs/events USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

NEWS &EVENTS $5M grant will increase support for Hispanic and low-income STEM students at UArizona The University of Arizona announced recently that a multimillion, fiveyear grant from the U.S. Department of Education would increase support for students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). According to university communications, the Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) typically has about 11,000 undergraduates in STEM majors at any given time.

Mattel Hispanic Heritage Month dolls not for sale The toy company Mattel celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by releasing two new one-of-a-kind Barbie dolls.

The dolls honored Cuban salsa, Celia Cruz, and Dominican-American poet and novelist Julia Alvarez.

Fans have been searching the Internet to get their hands on these dolls, but they are not for sale. These dolls are part of the one-of-a-kind “role model” collection, highlighting women who have made their mark on history.

by Ada Romano aromano@ccgmag.com

DOD aims to widen the pipeline of STEM talent under the National Defense Education Program Last fall, through the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the Department of Defense announced more than $47 million to 15 awardees under the National Defense Education Program in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Biotechnology, and Enhanced Civics Education.

Dominion Energy partners with HACU to develop leaders for the energy industry.

Dominion Energy has announced a partnership with The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), supporting seven higher education institutions in Virginia, North Carolina, Connecticut, Utah, and Puerto Rico.

Do Latinos lack financial literacy?

How Space Force is building a future workforce through partnerships Last fall, the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and the University of Texas Austin signed agreements with the U.S. Space Force. According to UTEP, the memorandum of understanding between the University of Texas System and the military branch provides new opportunities for advanced research and workforce development.

According to a study by the Pew Research Center, Black and Hispanic families are less likely to invest in the stock market than white families.

About 61 percent of white U.S. households own some stock, compared to 28 percent of Hispanic households.

View these stories, and others like them online at www.hispanicengineer.com Salsa singer Celia Cruz honored with Barbie doll as part of the "Inspiring Women" collection

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HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | SPRING 2022

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Son of immigrant farmworkers graduates from Harvard and becomes a doctor As a young boy, Erick Martinez was enamored with doctors in their white coats and medical instruments in the exam room when he went to the doctor with his mom. He went on to study neurobiology at Harvard University and graduated in 2015. Martinez graduated as a medical doctor from Augusta University in Georgia in 2021.

Erick Martinez with his family

SAVE THEDATE American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) National Conference October 6-8

Air Force Research Lab hosts a career fair in STEM City USA. Career Communications Group (CCG) welcomed Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and AFWERX to the STEM City USA Platform March 14 to 18. They kicked off the first virtual hiring event, which took place in STEM City USA’s Educational Discovery Center. HE

Palm Springs, CA

Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities (HACU) Annual Conference October 8-10 Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, CA

Advancing Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) National Diversity in STEM Conference October 27-29 San Juan, PR

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) National Convention November 2-6

The AFRL Hiring Sprint took place in STEM City USA March 14-18

Charlotte Convention Center Charlotte, NC

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HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | SPRING 2022

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AD We’re building a team of innovators and disruptors who can lead the next era of American energy and solve the world’s toughest energy challenges.

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Expanding our Opportunities Greater diversity is expansive, not restrictive, and contributes to company growth and profitability

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stability, and growth potential for all Health Catalyst team members, our clients and the patients they serve.”

Dan Burton CEO https://www.healthcatalyst.com/company/careers/ Connnect with Health Catalyst

*Source: McKinsey study “Why Diversity Matters”

INTERNSHIPS

by Ada Romano aromano@ccgmag.com

UPCOMING INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Internships are an essential aspect of college life because they prepare you for your future professional endeavors. You will have the opportunity to connect with professionals in your field and build relationships that can benefit you later in your career. Sometimes it comes down to who you know.

N

etworking is one of the most important tools you can use to get your name out there.

Companies like to see young people who are eager to learn and connect with professionals in their field. This shows initiative. In addition to the network, sometimes you can even make some money or get hired as a

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full-time employee at the end of your internship. Take advantage of all the professional opportunities available to you, and you will surely be successful in the future. Here are three internships you can apply to right now.

•

Amazon Propel Program (APP) Internship - This 12-week internship program provides hands-on

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | SPRING 2022

learning and building experiences for students interested in a software engineering career. In addition to working on an impactful project, you will have the opportunity to engage with Amazonians for professional development, expand your network, and participate in activities such as team building

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INTERNSHIPS

with other interns throughout your internship. To be eligible, you must have a minimum of one semester remaining after the training concludes. The start dates for this internship are May 16; June 6; June 13; and June 20. Please visit the Amazon website to apply.

•

•

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) internship - Students partner with JPL scientists and engineers to assist with research efforts.

Students also can participate in enrichment activities, including tours, lectures, and career advisement, arranged by the JPL Education Office. The program is 10 weeks long and requires interns to work full time (40 hours per week) for the internship duration.

To be eligible for this internship, you must be a currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics disciplines from an accredited U.S. university and have a minimum cumulative 3.00 GPA. This internship is open to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. The first internship experience must be 10 weeks or more. Subsequent internship terms are flexible. Please visit NASA’s website to apply.

S. Department of Energy (DOE) Minority Serving Institution Partnership Program (MSIPP) Internship (Environmental Plastics in Freshwater Systems) - This is a new program to promote the education and development of the next-generation workforce in critical science, engineering, technology, and math (STEM)-related disciplines that complement current and future missions of DOE national laboratories. The SIPP Internship

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program is designed to provide an enhanced training environment for next-generation scientists and engineers by exposing them to research challenges unique to our industry. SIPP interns will be allowed to complete summer internships aligned with ongoing U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (DOEEM) research under the direction of a host national laboratory. The internship will be performed at the host national laboratory, utilizing its facilities and equipment under the guidance of a research staff member. This internship is available to U.S. citizens only who are pursuing a degree in STEM with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher. Please visit the DOE website to apply.

So put yourself out there and step out of your comfort zone. Sometimes you must take risks to see progress and reward. Talking to professionals can be intimidating, but they want to talk to you too. In the end, you never know who you will meet. HE

"Networking is one of the most important tools you can use to get your name out there.

Companies like to see young people who are eager to learn and connect with professionals in their field. "

You can stay up to date on more internship and scholarship news by visiting us on the web daily: www.hispanicengineer.com

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | SPRING 2022

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The power of diversity in leadership.

We understand that our future is tied to the success of diverse talents and future leaders of innovation and technology. And to develop the world’s most advanced systems, we need the contributions and talents of all employees.

Learn more at lockheedmartin.com/diversity

VC19-06213 © 2019 Lockheed Martin Corporation

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AD NASA GPU HACKATHON JOIN US AT THE NASA GPU HACKATHON 2022

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, NVIDIA, AND THE OPENACC ORGANIZATION

If you have an application relevant to NASA missions and you’re thinking about porting to GPUs, or if your NASA application is already using GPUs and you could use a helping hand getting to the next level of performance, consider applying to participate in the NASA GPU Hackathon. Whether your code is a traditional HPC-centric application or if your goal focuses on AI/ML technologies, please apply!

WHEN

SEPTEMBER 19 & 26-28, 2022

WHERE

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DETAILS AND HOW TO APPLY https://www.nas.nasa.gov/hackathon

WHAT IS A GPU HACKATHON?

A GPU hackathon is typically a multi-day intensive coding event that puts application teams together with experts in programming and performance. The goal of the event is to port and optimize codes on GPU technologies in a focused, highly collaborative environment. This year we will be offering several pre-hackathon training opportunities; please use the Details and How to Apply link for further information and important deadlines.

GRADUATE LIFE

by Ashley SImpson editors@ccgmag.com

FURTHERING YOUR EDUCATION: CHOOSING A MASTER’S DEGREE Studying for a master's degree takes a lot of time, dedication, and sacrifice. However, the thirst for knowledge is never quenched for some people, and pursuing further education is becoming increasingly popular.

F

or working adults, gaining a master's degree opens new doors to exciting opportunities.

It brings a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem for older and retired people. Whatever your age, you're never too old to study for a master's degree; the most senior graduate student in the world was 94 years old.

But, once you've made up your mind to study for a master's degree, there are several essential things you need to consider before enrolling in a course.

First, which teaching method suits you the best? Are you more inclined to learn in a classroom setting, or would you be better off learning online at your own pace? Whichever option you choose, there will still be a great deal of self-guided study on top of the time you spend in virtual or real-life lectures.

Depending on the course you've chosen, the required reading can take anywhere from six to 16 hours a week.

With that in mind, you also need to

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decide whether you're studying full time or part time. If you're uncertain, try keeping a diary for a week to discover how you're currently spending your time and what your day-to-day commitments are. How many hours do you have left in the week when you've finished with work and spent time with your family? This will determine if you're able to consider a full-time course of study.

Then, decide on your budget. Earning your master's degree can cost anywhere between $25,000 and $120,000. This seems like a very high price, but consider it a significant investment in your future. On average, people with a master's degree earn $8,000 a year more than people who have a bachelor’s degree in the same subject.

You may conclude that you don't have the time or money to further your education with a master's degree.

Most people wouldn't be able to fit in a full-time course of study around their current schedule. Finding the money to fund a course when there are so many other necessities can be hard to justify, but make sure to consider all your options before giving up on the idea. Have you shopped around enough? Many international universities offer master's degrees online in English at a fraction of the cost. Does your workplace offer a study leave or a bursary? More forwardthinking companies are happy to make allowances and help employees learn relevant skills for their employment.

Are there any scholarships available for which you could apply? There are thousands of scholarship funds available, particularly for minority groups and the underprivileged.

You've already got a good idea about what you want to study, but even if there are many colleges offering

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | SPRING 2022

ESSENTIAL THINGS TO CONSIDER » Which teaching method suits you best? » Full-time or part-time student? » Decide on your budget » Shop around » Apply for study leave or bursary if available » Research modules master's degrees with the same title, make sure you look at the modules in the curriculum, as it varies from institution to institution. If more than a few modules leave you feeling doubtful, or if you find yourself yawning when you read the title, strike that course from your shortlist and move on to the next college. You will find a system that's ideally suited to you somewhere. HE

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GRADUATE LIFE

Would you like more tips on your academic journey? Visit www. hispanicengineer.com to find more stories like this. www.hispanicengineer.com

“On average, people with a master's degree earn $8,000 a year more than people who have a bachelor’s degree in the same subject.”

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | SPRING 2022

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NOAA

SCIENCE. SERVICE. STEWARDSHIP.

AD National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is an agency that enriches life through science. Our reach goes from the surface of the sun to the depths of the ocean floor as we work to keep citizens informed of the changing environment around them. From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, and climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce, NOAA’s products and services support economic vitality and affect more than one-third of America’s gross domestic product. NOAA’s dedicated scientists use cutting-edge research and high-tech instrumentation to provide citizens, planners, emergency managers and other decision makers with reliable information they need when they need it. NOAA employs some of the world’s top Scientists supported by a vast array of Administrative Support Professionals to accomplish this mission and we welcome you!

Join the NOAA team!

Hispanic Employment Program (HEP) Point of Contact: Amneris.Caba@noaa.gov, HEP Manager, Office of Inclusion and Civil Rights, NOAA - Hablo Español!

On the Web: http://www.noaa.gov/  On Twitter: @NOAA  On Facebook: NOAA

AD I’VE BEEN ABLE TO EMBRACE GREATER COMPLEXITY IN MY WORK

AND GREATER OPPORTUNITY FOR MY CAREER At FM Global, we help clients identify the risks their businesses face and help them safeguard by building resilience to those risks — hence protecting their assets. I started nearly six years ago as a Field Engineer I. Due to the complexity of the visits I performed and the amount of work in my area, I’ve already moved to Field Engineer II, then Senior Engineer and now Engineering Specialist. Currently I am in the Earthquake and Chemical Risk Specialist program. The level of challenges and responsibilities that I face today is exponentially bigger than when I began. I feel like I’ve experienced so much in a relatively short time. There aren’t too many places this level of growth and exposure is possible.

4ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES

What you are exposed to at FM Global is incredibly diverse, from the industries you engage with, to the people you meet, to the types of challenges you face and the opportunities for growth and ongoing success. I can’t think of anywhere else that can offer this range of experience.

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Uncommon careers and an uncommon approach. Take a closer look, and discover just how different a career in insurance can be.

Your career. Explored. jobs.fmglobalcareers.com FM Global is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ©2021 FM Global. All rights reserved.

FINANCIAL AID

by Ada Romano aromano@ccgmag.com

5 FINANCIAL TIPS FOR YOUR COLLEGE JOURNEY

A

s a first-generation college student (in the United States), my background knowledge of financial aid was extremely limited before starting college. My mother did a college program in El Salvador and was a teacher for 15 years. But college in the United States is quite different. For one, it is a whole lot more expensive. My family is lower middle class with three children, so my parents did what they could to make ends meet. I remember going with them after school as they cleaned offices once they clocked off their day jobs.

My siblings did not go to college, so I researched independently. I made many mistakes, but I did learn some valuable lessons along the way.

Luckily, resources are available for students who may need a little extra help understanding how college works.

Career Communications Group (CCG) is committed to assisting minority students with their college endeavors to succeed during school and beyond.

Here are a few tips to help you be financially successful during your college career.

Community college is not a bad option - Let’s face it, most 17- and

18-year-olds don’t know what they want to do with the rest of their lives, and why should they? Luckily, you can take the same core curriculum at a community college as you can at a four-year institution. The best part is that it’s much cheaper. Get statistics and English out of the way, and it will even buy you some time to decide what field you want to study.

Scholarships and grants - This one is significant for your pockets. There are scholarships available for just about everything. You don’t have to play sports to get some extra money to help ease your student loan debt. Minority students have many opportunities for

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“There are scholarships available for just about everything. You don’t have to play sports to get some extra money to help ease your student loan debt.” scholarships and grants. Don’t forget to look at our scholarships page to see what is available to you right now.

Apply Early - Just like applying to college, you need to apply early for financial aid. Funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, so make sure you are at the front of the line to receive those funds. Filling out a financial aid application can be tedious, so make sure you give yourself enough time to go over every detail to ensure you are filling it out correctly. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications for the 2022– 2023 school year are due by June 30, 2022.

Summer Job - This one may seem like common sense, but on top of making money to save for college, a summer job can provide some extra funds toward your tuition. Companies like Amazon and Capital One offer tuition reimbursement if you keep your grades

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | SPRING 2022

above a specific benchmark. This is an excellent way to help take some of that financial weight off your shoulders.

Consider staying home - This one goes with the community college tip.

Staying home may not seem like the most glamorous option, but it can be the smartest. You can even work part time or look for a paid internship so

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FINANCIAL AID

you can start saving. It is never too early to start planning for your future.

Sometimes you must make some sacrifices, but they will surely pay off in the end.

Being a student is already stressful, so don’t let money prevent you from shining academically. Focus on your grades because that will also help you

www.hispanicengineer.com

take advantage of financial assistance programs. As mentioned before, some companies will help you pay for school if you keep your grades up. Do your research and find all the resources available to you. You never know what can be waiting for you. HE

Interested in stories about financial literacy? Here is another great story: https://l.ead.me/bcuSGa

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | SPRING 2022

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SCHOLARSHIPS

by Ada Romano aromano@ccgmag.com

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR YOU! College can be a financial burden, and if you are a firstgeneration college student, the process of applying for college and scholarships can be even more of a challenge.

C

areer Communications Group (CCG) is committed to providing resources to underrepresented communities in the hopes of cultivating success. Here are seven scholarships and grants you can apply for right now.

Pell Grant- Federal Pell Grants usually are awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree. Unlike loans, Pell Grants do not require repayment. To be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Please visit studentaid.gov and fill out a FAFSA form by the deadline of June 30, 2022, for the 2022–2023 school year.

Nina L. Coleman Memorial Scholarship- This scholarship seeks to support low-income students who need financial assistance to fund their college education with a prize of $2,000. The application includes a 400- to 600-word essay about what success looks like to you and where

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you see yourself in 20 years. High school and undergraduate students are encouraged to apply by the deadline of June 5, 2022. The winner will be announced on July 5, 2022.

Education is Bling: The Moore the Blingyer Scholarship- This scholarship will support the education of Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) undergraduate or graduate students pursuing a career in social work or human services. To apply, you must be a member of an underrepresented racial minority and actively pursue your undergraduate or graduate degree in social work or human services. For your application, you must write a 400- to 600-word essay about your long-term career goals, how you support your community, and your vision to impact social change. The deadline is June 15, 2022, and the winner of the $1,000 prize will be announced on July 15, 2022.

Women’s History Scholarship- Women face a unique set of obstacles in the workforce. This opportunity aims to assist a female-identifying high school, undergraduate, or graduate student with a $500 prize. The deadline for this scholarship is Aug. 31, 2022. The winner will be announced on Sept. 7, 2022.

A Voice for Mental Health and Addiction Awareness ScholarshipThis $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to any high school or undergraduate North Dakota student battling a mental illness or recovering from drug or alcohol addiction. To enter, please submit a 400- to 600word essay about how mental health, drug addiction, or alcohol addiction has affected your life and what you are doing to triumph over your illness by the deadline of June 15, 2022. A winner will be announced on July 15, 2022.

Minority Women in STEM Financial Need Scholarship- This scholarship is

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | SPRING 2022

specifically for undergraduate BIPOC women at the University of Texas at Dallas who are pursuing careers in STEM. To apply, please submit a 400- to 600-word essay about your career goals after college, and how you plan to achieve them, by the deadline of June 20, 2022. Winners will be announced on July 20, 2022.

NACME Block Grant- NACME is responsible for over $3 million in scholarships awarded annually to underrepresented minority students.

According to their website, NACME expects to support approximately 1,000 underrepresented minority engineering and computer students annually. To be eligible for any of the NACME administered scholarships, students must either be a high school senior applying to an engineering or computer science program at a NACME Partner Institution or be currently enrolled in an engineering or computer science program at a NACME Partner Institution. You must also be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. The Block Grant will award $2,500 to one minority student. Please visit the NACME website and submit your application by Sept. 15, 2022. HE

Do you want more information on available scholarships? Then check out this article: https://l.ead.me/bcuSBz

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BLUE COLLAR STEM

by Gale Horton Gay editors@ccgmag.com

NOT ALL WELL-PAYING STEM JOBS REQUIRE A COLLEGE EDUCATION According to the Brookings Institution report The Hidden STEM Economy, as of 2011, 26 million U.S. jobs—20 percent of all jobs—require a high level of knowledge in any one STEM field.

The paths to wellpaying, challenging, and satisfying careers are many.

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hile college is often touted as the best route to secure a job and future in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), it’s not the only way. Many STEM jobs don’t require four years of college; some don’t require any college education.

According to the Brookings Institution report The Hidden STEM Economy, as

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of 2011, 26 million U.S. jobs—20 percent of all jobs—require a high level of knowledge in any one STEM field.

“STEM jobs have doubled as a share of all jobs since the Industrial Revolution, from less than 10 percent in 1850 to 20 percent in 2010,” according to the report. “Half of all STEM jobs are available to workers without a fouryear college degree, and these jobs pay $53,000 on average—a wage 10 percent higher than jobs with similar educational requirements.”

Various experts agree that many of these jobs require deep knowledge gained from direct learning, online courses, or experience often gained independently.

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According to a National Science Board (NSB) presentation on blue-collar STEM, the unemployment rate for bluecollar STEM workers is “relatively low.”

In a 2019 report titled “The Skilled Technical Workforce: Crafting America’s Science and Engineering Enterprise,” the NSB noted that the skilled technical workforce (STW), the millions of people with STEM skills and knowledge who do not have a bachelor’s degree, are a “crucial but underappreciated part of the science and engineering enterprise.”

Among the recommendations in the 57-page NSB report:

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BLUE COLLAR STEM

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•

•

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The NSB and NSF, and other science and engineering leaders, should communicate the importance of skilled technical workers.

Prioritize nationally representative data collection on skilled technical workers' education, skills, and workforce characteristics. NSF should promote partnerships between governmental and nongovernmental (industry, academia) stakeholders in the STW to share data and develop tools for public use and workforce planning.

NSF should conduct a complete portfolio analysis of its STW investments and then use some of that information to publicize and inform stakeholders about the breadth of NSF’s contributions to skilled technical workers, build awareness of funding opportunities, and maximize and leverage the impact of these investments.

In strengthening educational pathways for the STW, policymakers and educational institutions should recognize that K-12 school systems, twoyear colleges, four-year colleges and universities, and other post-secondary education and workforce development programs are integral, synergistic parts of a whole. “These institutions should work as partners together with business and industry to grow the STEM-capable U.S. workforce…,” states the report. “Policymakers can encourage the creation of such partnerships by developing federal programs that require partnership participation from stakeholders from multiple sectors.”

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Pay ranges vary as widely as the types of STEM jobs that do not require a college education. They include technicians, installers, and specialists, to name a few. A listing of such jobs from Stemtropolis.com include:

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Software developers: median

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Computer support specialist: median pay in 2019

pay in 2019 of $107,510 annually, 22 percent projected job growth through 2029

of $51,470 annually, 8 percent projected job growth through 2029

StairwaytoStem.org, a website that provides resources for students on the autism spectrum transitioning from high school to college, particularly in STEM fields, determined that the following are projected to be among the fastestgrowing STEM jobs that require less than a bachelor’s degree for 20142024:

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Pharmacy technician: median

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Electrical and electronics installer/repairers: median

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GEOLOGICAL AND PETROLEUM TECHNICIANS ($55,610)

Machinists: whose jobs combine

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ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS ($48,500)

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AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SCIENCE TECHNICIANS ($36,480)

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AEROSPACE ENGINEERING AND OPERATIONS TECHNICIANS ($66,180)

pay in 2019 of $33,950 annually, 4 percent projected job growth through 2029

pay in 2019 of $59,080 annually, 1 percent projected job growth through 2029

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engineering and technology, often set up and operate complex machines that utilize computer software programs to create precision parts. Median pay in 2019 of $45,750 annually, 3 percent projected job growth through 2029. HE

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becoming the leader of your own pack

by Ada Romano

Dr. Yazmin Feliz is a postdoctoral researcher at the Columbia University Medical Center, where she develops lowcost medical imaging solutions and supports translational research.

She has a supply chain and project management background, driving consumer product reformulations, quality recalls, and product lifecycle management at a Fortune 100 company.

Yazmin’s full High-Tech Sunday podcast episode: https://l.ead.me/bcuHqn

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HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | SPRING 2022

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n 2016, Feliz became a GEM Fellow and after obtaining her master’s degree in mechanical engineering, she embarked on her Ph.D. journey while also exploring entrepreneurship. She is launching her startup, Ultrasonos, to provide a more user-friendly and economical imaging system that can be handled in the comfort of the user’s home.

Feliz said that as a minority, she feels like receiving the GEM recognition is a challenge, but she has found solace in this community. She said she wants her struggles to inspire others and give them the motivation to give back.

In her episode of “High-Tech Sunday,” a podcast by Career Communications Group, Feliz discussed where her motivation to create such a product came from.

“I’m a scientist and engineer with a passion for learning,” Feliz said. “I enjoy solving engineering challenges related to health care in low-resource areas that can improve the quality of life, so I enjoy giving back and helping others in my community work towards their professional dreams as well.”

Feliz did not come from a life of luxury.

She was the child of a single mother, living in the Bronx, NY. Growing up, her mother had to keep two jobs to make ends meet, but she always encouraged Feliz to continue her education because it was the only job she had as a child.

Feliz’s mother was an immigrant from the Dominican Republic. Feliz said her mother was given the opportunity to attend medical school in Cuba but had to decline the offer because she had nine siblings at home that she was expected to help raise.

“I always thought about that,” Feliz said. “I always thought about the sacrifices that she had to make, that others had to make, for me to get where I am.”

Feliz said her father was deeply passionate about spirituality. She said that he believed that people are reincarnated into a new body to serve a purpose, and she felt like she had a reason to be on Earth. Her father’s lessons have guided Feliz through her educational journey and beyond.

In school, Feliz enjoyed science and math. She said these were the most

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“I’m a scientist and engineer with a passion for learning,” Feliz said. “I enjoy solving engineering challenges related to health care in lowresource areas that can improve the quality of life, so I enjoy giving back and helping others in my community work towards their professional dreams as well.” “fun” subjects to her, unlike some of her other classmates and friends, who despised the subjects.

When she was in the sixth grade, Feliz attended her first STEM workshop. She was enamored with the thought of being able to build things but felt like it was out of reach for her. She said it wasn’t until she had the opportunity to work with mentors that she believed she could achieve remarkable things in the STEM world.

Her first year of college, Feliz learned a lesson that has stuck with her to this day. One of her professors gave her the opportunity to put together a team of students to create an antibacterial surface. She cleared out a lab in the basement of her school, gathered equipment, and got to work.

“I wanted the most rewarding experience and to be able to make that impact,” Feliz said.

When asked about how she got to where she is, Feliz said it was especially important for her to put herself out there. When she approached her professor, she made a connection and opened doors to other opportunities such as internships and future jobs.

On the other hand, she said she also learned about her disadvantages as a woman in science during this time.

She recalled a colleague she was training who she said refused to be taught by her. Feliz observed that he walked out of the room when she tried to teach him something but was much more receptive to others. She took it personally and realized that she had obstacles to overcome to get where she wanted to be.

Feliz said she has overheard some of her peers invalidating her credentials or questioning her success, but she tries not to take this personally.

“It sucks because those are your peers that are with you in the same lab, working towards this Ph.D. together,” Feliz said. “These are the peers that have seen you go through all the coursework just as hard as them, and they will still say these things.”

When asked what advice she would give other young women facing the same obstacles, Feliz said, “When you’re in a classroom and you’re the only woman of color in that classroom of 30-plus, every time, raise your hand.

I assure you everyone’s going to look, and everyone is going to listen.” HE

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Vaccine

Development

in

Cuba Vaccines often take years, sometimes decades, to develop, but as COVID-19 spread out from Wuhan, China, in December 2019, scientists in every country helped speed up the global race to find a safe and effective vaccine. The world was on a mission, and Cuba was no exception.

Vicente Vérez Bencomo, directorgeneral of the Finlay Institute of Vaccines in Havana, Cuba, displayed a lot of optimism during the initial stages of the COVID-19 vaccine development.

According to the institute’s website, it is internationally recognized for leading new approaches in synthetic vaccines, combined vaccines, therapeutic vaccines, and infectious disease vaccines.

However, an embargo that prohibited

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U.S.-made products from being exported to the island nation made things significantly difficult.

Nonetheless, Cuba strived to develop a vaccine without relying on other countries’ financial or scientific support.

The highly transmissible delta variant was wreaking havoc in Cuba while Bencomo’s team was hard at work formulating a vaccine against the virus. One of the institute’s vaccines,

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | SPRING 2022

Soberana 02, proved to be more than 90 percent effective in protecting against symptomatic COVID-19 infection when combined with a related vaccine.

In August and July of 2021, Abdala and Soberana 02 were authorized for adults. They were approved for use on children a few months later. By November 2021, 89 percent of Cuba’s population had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

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However, Soberana 02 was not the only vaccine on the market. Abdala, produced at the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) in Havana, was reported to be more than 92 percent effective against the virus.

Cuba has begun exporting vaccines to Venezuela, Vietnam, Iran, and Nicaragua. It is on the road to receiving approval from the World Health Organization to make them available to the rest of the developing world.

When the omicron variant proved to be more contagious than the delta variant, Cuba did not see as big of a surge in cases as the U.S. did.

According to experts, Cuba's COVID-19 vaccination coverage, including the vaccination of children, proved to be essential in beating the highly infectious omicron variant before it took over the island nation. During the country’s peak, deaths were reported at about 10 percent.

Showcasing the ingenuity of Cuban scientists Dr. Vicente Vérez Bencomo has published in scientific journals of impact and served as the Cuban representative to the International Carbohydrates Organization and a senior member of the Cuban Academy of Sciences.

He has also served as a director of the Center for the Study of Synthetic Antigens during his career, under the aegis of the University of Havana's Chemistry Department. He led the team that discovered and developed the Cuban haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine using a synthetic antigen, the first of its kind in the world.

Educated in Cuba, Russia, and France, Vérez has received numerous awards, including the World Intellectual Property Organization's Gold Medal (2005) and the Cuban National Chemistry Award (2006). In 2007, when the Cuban Hib vaccine was undergoing evaluation by the World Health Organization for vaccination packages for use in the developing world, Vérez sat down with MEDICC Review online to discuss what motivates him as a scientist and how synthetic antigens might be applied to other vaccines.

In November 2021, he gave an interview to Cuba Sí (News from Cuba and the World) shortly after being granted the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa in

Cuba has developed five COVID-19 vaccines and vaccinated children as young as 2 years old.

Unlike the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, Cuba’s vaccines are protein-based and do not require refrigeration. This means that when transporting these vaccines to other countries, there is no need to purchase special refrigeration equipment, making them much more economical.

Cuba's success to date against omicron also comes as a relief to Cuban authorities. A spike in cases in 2021 and an economic crisis led to food and medicine shortages, power blackouts, and the largest anti-government protests since Fidel Castro's revolution in 1959.

“Cuba is a victim of magical realism,” John Kirk, professor emeritus of Latin American studies at Dalhousie University in Canada, told The Guardian newspaper. “The idea that Cuba, with only 11 million people and limited income, could be a biotech power might be incomprehensible for someone working at Pfizer, but for Cuba, it is possible.”

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One of the institute’s vaccines, Soberana 02, proved to be more than 90 percent effective in protecting against symptomatic COVID-19 infection when combined with a related vaccine.

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | SPRING 2022

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chemical sciences by the University of Havana.

"This is a significant recognition to me because it is granted by the University of Havana, where I spent 30 years of my life, where we created the first major vaccine against the haemophilus influenzae type B, a synthetic antigen,” he said. Vérez also recognized the group’s effort to make vaccines and save lives over many years. “This moment made me review my career, my life. And I want to thank especially all those who have contributed to 40 years of professional life.”

A chemical engineer by training, Vérez studied in the Soviet Union. In 1977, he joined the University of Havana and was there for 30 years. During that time, they successfully made the vaccine against the haemophilus influenza. He also noted that although some vaccines existed already, they were too expensive and inaccessible to developing countries. One example was the pneumococcal vaccine, which was $100 per dose out of the gate.

With the standard requirement being four doses, he said it was impossible to

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“The idea that Cuba, with only 11 million people and limited income, could be a biotech power might be incomprehensible for someone working at Pfizer, but for Cuba, it is possible.” think of a child living in a developing country, whose complete vaccination scheme would cost his family $400, having access to this vaccine.

Facing the challenge of an unknown virus in 2020, Vérez said vaccine development was fast-paced. There was immense pressure to get it right.

“We could not make mistakes. If we were wrong, we would be delayed, and well, it has been a beautiful story, which has allowed us to enjoy the successes, although we suffered a lot with some setbacks along the way. But it has been an inspiring moment,” he said.

said he was satisfied that his team of researchers could prove that their vaccine could be used in children before Pfizer did. “Besides, we are not any less than other groups of scientists elsewhere. So, when you achieve it, you feel great,” he said.

"When results came out, for example, the results in children are spectacular.

The safety in children is very high, the immune response of children is very high. So that has been a moment of great satisfaction." HE

Vérez was also asked about performing science from a country like Cuba. He

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COMMUNITY COLLEGE LIFE

by Jessica Mayfield editors@ccgmag.com

BACK TO SCHOOL FOR GROWNUPS: STARTING COMMUNITY COLLEGE Many adults find themselves drawn back to school after deferring college to raise their families.

Others enter college to seek new careers after downsizing or disability forces them out of longtime jobs.

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hen education becomes a pathway to a new profession, the commuter campus of a local not-for-profit community (or junior) college can offer an ideal way to ease back in, accomplish personal goals, and rejuvenate a stalled career.

Two-Year Degrees

Two-year curricula serve as gateways into technical fields, confer nursing credentials, or offer a cost-effective way to complete general education coursework before transferring to a four-year institution. The trick to obtaining full value from community college credits is selecting courses that either apply directly toward a specific certification or transfer fully to a baccalaureate program. Like technical schools, community colleges offer wide-ranging subject matter, not all of which align with traditional four-year schools' undergraduate requirements.

Before you enroll in a class for credit toward a different degree, verify that the institution you plan to transfer to

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will accept the credits and add the grade to your four-year grade point average.

Ask and Receive

A sizable percentage of the community college population consists of so-called non-traditional students, many older adults with jobs, families, and limited time for schoolwork. Community colleges emphasize maintaining and boosting their enrollments, so they want their students to do well and stay in school. To that end, two-year institutions offer tutoring centers, preparation classes to assist with computer literacy, and many services designed for student retention. Take full advantage of what your college offers. You're entitled to receive these services as part of your tuition costs, and they can smooth your progress through school. Talk to your academic adviser about how best to make headway through your coursework.

Time Commitments

Instructors often estimate a three-toone ratio between classroom time and class preparation, including planning lessons and grading papers. As a student, you should expect to have a similar ratio in many classes. As an adult first-year student, you'll be faced with English composition, math, and other first-year subjects that you may not have studied since high school, and you'll need to research and write papers for the first time since you were in your teens. At least at first, expect the unfamiliarity of resuming your education to amplify the time requirements for classwork. If you're unsure how heavy a class load to carry when you begin, underestimate the amount you can handle rather than picking up a full course schedule in your first semester. With a lighter set of academic responsibilities, you'll give yourself a better chance to do well while you get your bearings in school.

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“If your perception of community colleges dates back to when you were in high school, bring your notions up to date and discover the value these easyon-the-wallet institutions can offer.”

Trust Your Experience

You may be hesitant to join a class populated with freshman-age first-year students, worried that you'll fare poorly next to students young enough to be your offspring. Far from being at a disadvantage, you're likely to find that your mature outlook on life gives you significant advantages over younger classmates. You've made sacrifices to go back to class, whereas some of them have continued their education without a break after secondary school.

You're determined to complete your work on time and fulfill the spirit, not just the letter, of your assignments.

Meanwhile, they may be inclined to make last-minute attempts that www.hispanicengineer.com

squeak by the requirements. Set aside your apprehensions and prepare to benefit from your maturity. You'll be pleasantly surprised at your success— and you may save money as well. Some community colleges offer free tuition for students over 60 or another specific age threshold.

in high school, bring your notions up to date and discover the value these easyon-the-wallet institutions can offer.

Regardless of the curriculum you want to pursue, you can find educational resources that meet your needs and budget. HE

For more educational news like this, check out www.hispanicengineer.com

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COMMUNITY

META VERSE

CAREER OUTLOOK

CAREERS IN THE METAVERSE Building and managing the metaverse will take the work of tens of thousands—or hundreds of thousands—of new tech workers in the next five to 10 years. Find out what industry experts say

INSIDE >

Industry Overview

>

Job Horizon

>

People to Know

some of the most in-demand skills will be.

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What is the metaverse, exactly?

Careers in the metaverse Hispanic leaders of the metaverse

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CAREER OUTLOOK

U

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A

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METAVERSE The metaverse is having a moment. It may be because people are sick of reality and are more interested in a virtual one.

Or because tech giants are hungering for the next big thing. Whatever the reason, company after company is pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into building this brave new virtual world. And that means the creation of countless new tech jobs in the coming years.

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WHAT IS THE METAVERSE, EXACTLY? The metaverse refers to virtual, 3D environments where people can meet and interact using digital personas called “avatars.” Unlike virtual reality-based games, there’s no storyline or quest or goal in the metaverse. “You can think about the metaverse as an embodied internet, where instead of just viewing content, you are in it,” says Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg.

If it sounds a little vague, that’s because it is. As Eric Ravenscroft of Wired argues, the word metaverse doesn’t refer to any one thing or specific kind of technology, “but rather how we interact with technology.” For example,

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just as email has been replaced in many cases by video technologies like Zoom, Zoom might one day give way to virtual meeting spaces accessed through virtual reality (VR) goggles or augmented reality (AR) glasses.

Online, immersive virtual worlds are not new. The grandaddy is Second Life, which launched in 2003 and still has a million or more active users. Roblox, established in 2008, has almost 50 million users.

But to go big, the metaverse needs to overcome some natural barriers, not the least of which is sheer power. “Truly persistent and immersive computing, at scale and accessible by billions of

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INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

humans in real time, will require…1,000 times increase in computational efficiency from today’s state of the art,” wrote Intel’s Raja Koduri in 2021.

DIGITAL GOLD RUSH Several companies are willing to take on the challenge—because those who succeed will reap the financial rewards.

Estimates vary wildly, but some analysts say the market value of the metaverse sector will reach $800 billion by 2024 and could eventually climb into the trillions.

The possibilities for selling virtual items, advertising, real estate, and other realworld analogs are limitless. Your digital persona is going to need clothing and accessories. You’ll want tickets to all the right in-world concerts and events.

You might want to hang out in your virtual apartment in a digital city or a mansion in a digital paradise. And you want the right neighbors. Just ask the NFT collector who spent $450,000 on the virtual property next door to Snoop Dogg in Sandbox last fall—a sentence that might make a lot more sense in a few years than it does today.

While entertainment will play a significant role in the metaverse, social entrepreneur David Seigel argues that it will eventually become a space where people can share experiences online, be it a digital picnic with far-flung relatives or a global team collaborating on designs for a new airplane. If it reaches its full potential, the metaverse could make the concept of distance functionally irrelevant: Simply put on your VR headset and find yourself in a new environment entirely.

There are at least 150 companies currently working on building and expanding the hardware and software architecture to allow the metaverse to reach the following stages of development. Still, a few big names now dominate the field: Meta/Facebook. In 2021, Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that the company was rebranding as Meta. He told the website The Verge that he believed over the next five years, “we will effectively transition

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from people seeing us as primarily being a social media company into being a metaverse company.”

Epic Games. Epic Games runs the popular online game Fortnite and plans to expand into the metaverse. CEO Tim Sweeney told Bloomberg last fall that it’s “kind of a race to get to a billion users, whoever brings on a billion users first would be the presumed leader in setting the standards.” The company recently announced a $1 billion funding round to accelerate its efforts.

Nvidia. The computer chip giant has launched Omniverse, a tool that will allow developers to bring their virtual creations to life. The company recently announced that it was making access to the Omniverse platform free for individual users to push innovation in 3D simulations and designs.

Unity. Many believe that software developer Unity will come on top of the heap in developing the metaverse. It has become an industry leader in real-time 3D content and is expanding its footprint in the development space. “We’re very much in the awkward, ‘everything is expensive, heavy, and doesn’t work that well’ [stage],” Unity’s AR chief Timoni West tells Fast Company. “But give it another good 20 years and a reasonable amount of investment, and I think we’ll bridge that gap and be in the next era of computing.”

CAREERS IN THE METAVERSE Building and managing the metaverse will take the work of tens of thousands— or hundreds of thousands—of new tech workers in the next five to 10 years.

Industry experts say some of the most in-demand skills will be: 3D Game Designers – While the metaverse isn’t meant to be a game, it will require many immersive design skills.

Along with creative vision, animation skills, and basic programming skills, ITCareerFinder.com says designers will need programming experience with “popular gaming software programs such as Unity, Blender, Maya, and Unreal Engine.”

gaming, will be available via computer, companies like Facebook and Microsoft are focusing more on developing the extended reality (XR) of virtual experiences: AR, VR, and mixed reality (MR). Programmers with experience in C, C++, JavaScript, Python, Unity, Unreal Engine, and other tools might find a home here, particularly if they also have a firm grasp of user experience (UX) concepts.

Hardware Engineers – The metaverse will be created in code, but it’s meant to be experienced. Along with next-generation VR goggles and other visual aids, the technology is likely to spread out into a wide range of wearables that allow users to “feel” their environments. “And that’s not even getting into the boring stuff, such as inertial measurement units, visual light cameras, depth cameras to help with tracking, localization…” writes Adrian Book at .cult. This will take engineers with skills in everything from programming languages to haptics, robotics, and even AI. Blockchain Engineers – The digital economy within the metaverse is likely to run on cryptocurrencies and NFTs, so those with skills in the design, implementation, and deployment of blockchain platforms will be much in demand.

These, of course, are just a tiny sample of the types of jobs that will become available in the metaverse: game designers, storytellers, digital marketing specialists, cybersecurity specialists, moderators, and even fashion designers will all have a role to play.

Experts say that those who decide to work within the metaverse will not only need top-notch technical skills but “soft” skills like the ability to collaborate, communicate, and adapt to ever-changing conditions. Emotional intelligence is going to count as much as tech savvy. You are going to be building a whole new world. HE

AR/VR Software Engineers – While the metaverse, like legacy virtual worlds and HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | SPRING 2022

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CAREER OUTLOOK

by Alfred Lewis editors@ccgmag.com

THe MeTaVeRSe

A Growing Space for Jobseekers and Enthusiasts

T

he metaverse is a new buzzword, with many conversations on a virtual universe or network of virtual worlds.

People connect socially, purchase or sell various goods and services, accomplish tasks, or do nothing at all—just escape the physical world. You may have heard of virtual worlds such as Decentraland, The Sandbox, and Somnium Space.

Recently, Facebook announced that it would be diving into the metaverse and even changed its company name 46

to Meta as a sign of its commitment to metaverse development.

The metaverse is in some ways a hypothetical singular digital universe, as the current metaverse, as it is referenced today, consists of many virtual worlds that are separate from each other.

There are many ways to earn and spend money, especially digital currency, on the metaverse. Unique pieces of artwork called nonfungible tokens (NFTs) are found, traded, and sold on

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | SPRING 2022

the metaverse. Did you know that virtual real estate is sold and bought on the metaverse? Recently, property in The Sandbox, a virtual world, sold for over $4 million!

The metaverse is accessed using a variety of hardware, such as personal computers, cell phones, augmented reality and virtual reality devices, and other virtual world technologies. As varied as the hardware to access it, software to access the metaverse www.hispanicengineer.com

INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

by Alfred Lewis editors@ccgmag.com

is countless. The ability to link and interweave virtual worlds is a highpriority topic among developers.

While Facebook changing its name to Meta and committing to developing the metaverse is a sign of how the hype has reached a fever pitch, big tech companies such as Microsoft, Nvidia, Niantic, and Apple have all begun contributing to the metaverse development. For example, famous for its app Pokémon Go, Niantic has invested $300 million into developing a proprietary dystopian metaverse. Nvidia is indirectly furthering the development of the metaverse through its Omniverse Enterprise, a hub where digital content creators can collaborate on 3D modeling, design, and simulation.

The metaverse is opening a slew of job opportunities for those willing to bet on an emerging entity. Working behind the scenes, infrastructural developers build the blockchain, write code, maintain servers, and do other technical tasks.

Suppose you’re planning to start a degree in computer science, information technology, or other related technical majors. In that case, this is a career path that could be open to you while also maintaining broad employability in many areas. AR and VR hardware and software engineers will be critical to metaverse development and innovation.

Applying creative skills within the metaverse itself, content and asset creators such as artists, modelers, dialogue writers, character customizers, and other art-centered positions help bring color, design, and aesthetics to the virtual world. Are you a skilled artist or designer interested in computers and technology? Creating assets in the metaverse may represent a significant opportunity.

Other non-technical career paths include influencers, marketers, customer support agents, moderators, mappers, performers, and even monetized participants. If you are a gamer or esports enthusiast interested in a play-to-earn style gaming experience, consider exploring the metaverse. www.hispanicengineer.com

Focusing on the appropriate majors, skills, and understandings is crucial to future success and employment. Majors in computer science or information technology benefit from learning skills specific to the development and maintenance of the metaverse.

Still, these same skills are vital to all computer science and information technology career paths. In preparing for employment within the metaverse industry, college students and other job seekers should gain expertise and experience with popular programming languages, such as C, C#, C++, JavaScript, Python, etc. Likewise, gain expertise with popular tools like Unreal Engine, Unity, Amazon Sumerian, Autodesk Maya, and the open-source Blender. Having an eye on user experience design is also valuable because the result of metaverse development should be a user-friendly experience.

Another significant role in metaverse development is designing and creating 3D assets, typically a task for 3D game designers. Job applicants and students should seek expertise in designing, prototyping, and constructing immersive 3D experiences that engage players and immerse them in a virtual world like never before. Gaining a working knowledge of computer animation, 3D modeling, computer illustration, lighting, game interfaces, and creative competency for art and design are crucial to success as a 3D game designer.

Basic programming skills and proficiency in gaming software such as Unity, Blender, Maya, and Unreal Engine are core parts of 3D game design.

Are you looking to focus on the hardware side of the metaverse? A hardware systems engineer designs, prototypes, builds, and maintains the hardware interfaces with the metaverse.

They design AR/VR wearables and vital computer systems, such as servers, networks, and more. Gaining experience in product development, systems design, physics, and exposure to electrical, computer, mechanical, or

optical engineering will all help set you apart from other candidates. Knowing virtual reality concepts and tools such as computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) will also give you a solid foundational skill set. Mastering the hardware and engineering side of the metaverse requires a lot of skill acquisition, so start with programming languages, data collection, analysis, and robotics— explicitly focusing on sensors, cameras, and user inputs.

The metaverse is opening a slew of job opportunities for those willing to bet on an emerging entity.

The metaverse, an emerging and growing virtual network of worlds, changes how people interact and socialize. Digital real estate and NFTs are bringing in a revenue stream, and monetizing pay-to-earn users adds to this financial landscape. As the metaverse’s popularity and size grow, so will employment opportunities across all industries. Choosing a general career path depending on your skills and interests, then preparing through college programs, internships, and networking with experts is a tried-and-true method for improving employment options and will help job seekers find employment in building the metaverse. HE

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CAREER OUTLOOK

HISPANIC Leaders Metaverse of the

With these multi-disciplinary tech leaders commanding the metaverse, the future looks inclusive and bright.

Call them entrepreneurs, visionaries, creative technologists—anything but traditional. These innovative Hispanic multi-hyphenates refuse to be defined by one position, title, or purpose. The metaverse, it seems, is not just about creating a new virtual reality, but one that challenges the way we categorize creation and allows space for different genres to co-mingle.

The keyword is to experience.

Opportunities in technology and the metaverse do not require years of the college experience. Metaverse leaders have a unique skill set: creativity, openness, and the ability to pivot, expand, and consider what we’d like the future to look like, both as individuals and in our collective consciousness.

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TAMARA SHOGAOLU Creative Director Ado Ato Pictures

Tamara Shogaolu is the founder and creative director of Ado Ato Pictures, and the first Black Latina to head a leading animation and technology studio. She and her team are dedicated to creating immersive and inclusive projects in the metaverse. They include an audio-driven full-dome animated projection exhibit, a hybrid animated documentary and VR game about the love story of an Egyptian lesbian couple, and a Frontline PBS partnered experience—documentary, podcast, interactive web, and augmented reality installation—chronicling the stories of civil rights era cold cases and the legacy of racist killings in America.

As an award-winning artist, director, and writer, Shogaolu’s work has been featured at the MOMA (New York), Tribeca Film Festival, the National Gallery of Indonesia, and others. She has written for Sony Pictures Animations and partnered with the Sundance Institute, Netflix, PBS, Frontline, and the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF). She’s received several accolades, such as Best Digital Storytelling Award at IDFA 2021, and has been nominated for a Gouden Kalf Award, the top film prize in the Netherlands.

Shogaolu received her M.F.A. in cinematic arts from the University of

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | SPRING 2022

Southern California. She was a Henry R. Luce Scholar, Burton Lewis Scholar in Indonesia, and an Academy Nicholls Fellowship semifinalist.

As a futurist storyteller and creative technologist who bends, redefines, and strips away labels, Shogaolu is currently working on other immersive metaverse experiences.

ALEXANDER FERNANDEZ Chief Executive Officer/Co-Founder Streamline Media Group Co-founder and CEO of Streamline Media Group Alexander Fernandez believes that technology is a necessary tool in advancing growth. As an entrepreneur, he grew his gaming startup into a global business that builds value between the video game and business enterprise sectors. The company’s brands offer game development services, visual effects, animations, art production, and a cloud-based development platform.

Fernandez speaks about entrepreneurship, outsourcing, game development, technology in nongaming industries, organizational design, business models, and financing at industry events and conventions worldwide. He currently serves on the advisory board of Gamescom, is a member of the Forbes Business Council, and is the allyship chairman for Women in Games International.

In 2016, Fernandez was accepted into Endeavor, a global network of highwww.hispanicengineer.com

PEOPLE TO KNOW

A scholar of Alvin Toffler and Paulo Freire with a degree in ethnomusicology from UCLA, Fuentes experiments with virtual and augmented reality to design social justice and art. His work has won in competition at MIT Media Lab, currently on display at the Museum of Design Atlanta, SXSW, as well as fellowships and grants at Oculus, UCLA Anderson School of Business, Google, Bose, Red Bull, and the World Bank, where he worked as an emerging technology coach for entrepreneurs in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

impact entrepreneurs, and Harvard Business School’s OPM program. Before that, he was an advisory board member for the Game Developer Conference Europe, Game Connection, and the European Game Developer’s Federation.

Fernandez hosts Video Games Real Talk (VGRT), a podcast featuring interviews with leaders in the metaverse discussing the business and future of video games and how other industries can benefit from gamification and the metaverse.

MICHAEL RIVERO Co-Founder/Brand Director TopShotPro

GEMMA BUSONI

Michael Rivero is a real estate marketer and co-founder of TopShotPro, a niche marketing company that leverages technology to provide real estate agents and loan officers with innovative digital marketing and branding through connecting consumers and brands inside the metaverse. He specializes in brand development, campaign management, and strategic partnerships for real estate leaders, including Keller Williams, Mortgage Coach, Churchill Mortgage, and brands like Long & Foster, Stitched, IndoChino, and Gymshark.

Before becoming an entrepreneur, Rivero was a social media manager and digital marketing strategist for small businesses and the health sector.

He mentors aspiring entrepreneurs, creative storytellers, photographers/ videographers, and fashion enthusiasts.

GEMMA BUSONI CEO Discovr Labs

ALEXANDER FERNANDEZ

MARLON FUENTES Global Community Lead Teller Finance

www.hispanicengineer.com

Gemma Busoni is the founder and CEO of Discovr Labs, a VR content studio focused on educational/vocational/ situational experiences.

A serial entrepreneur devoted to technology, games, education, and accessibility, Busoni previously founded the nonprofit now known as Hack Club, which provides a framework and tools for high school coding clubs and various ways for students interested in STEM to connect. She was also head of education at BuildBox, a low-code game engine.

TopShotPro is working on a project that will connect lot owners with big box advertisers inside the metaverse slated for summer 2022.

Marlon Fuentes is a creative technologist, designer, and ethnomusicologist working at the forefront of NFTs and metaverse technology. As global community lead at Teller Finance, he manages community strategy, Discord server design, and proof of attendance protocols (POAP) for the algorithmic credit risk protocol platform.

Previously, Fuentes was head of global music at the Recording Academy, immersive producer at Buzzfeed, and a former tour deejay for Shakira. His creative portfolio converges culture and technology to produce work ranging from volumetric DJ sets to health data applications. As a radical thought leader and an innovator, his goal is to empower communities to embrace technology to design their future.

MARLON FUENTES

Busoni was a Thiel Fellow, a fellowship that allowed her to launch a startup instead of attending college, and a research associate at Caltech. She received the Forbes 30 Under 30 award for her work in XR and education and, in 2016, shared the cover of Seventeen magazine with Michelle Obama. HE

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | SPRING 2022

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Empowering All A parental leave policy giving birthing mothers six months of paid leave, and four months of paid leave to a non-birthing parent.

Because members of our employee resource groups spoke up, this bluesky idea became a world-class reality.

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We’re highly invested in technology. And people.

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Our associates bring their whole selves to work—their convictions, talents, and passions.

If you’re seeking a meaningful technology career in a culture that thrives on teamwork, we invite you to join us.

Contact us at troweprice.com/careers.

And let’s discuss your future.

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AD DIVERSE IDEAS INSPIRE

INNOVATION At Abbott, diverse ideas, perspectives and expertise allow us to create the life-changing solutions that help people all over the world live healthier lives.

A global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life, our portfolio of technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 113,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries and together, we’re changing the face of healthcare.

Learn more at: abbott.com/careers Deborah (pictured) is a senior director for our Toxicology business. Read more about her journey to a career in STEM: https://abbo.tt/37Q9tXi

Connect with us: Abbott is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.

Keerthika Pandiselvan, (left) Autonomous Vehicle Senior Systems Engineer, PRIDE Employee Resource Group Kiersten Robinson, (right) Chief People & Employee Experience Officer, PRIDE Employee Resource Group

Rekha Wunnava, IT Director, Industrial Platform

Liz McMann, Electric Vehicle Product Marketing Manager

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Alison Nelson, Director DEI Strategies & Governance

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Alma Reyes, HR Business Advisor, Ford Next

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Linda Zhang, Chief Engineer, F-150® Lightning™

Karna Crawford, (left) Director, Marketing Communications Suzy Deering, (right) Global Chief Marketing Officer

Ekaeke Umoh, Team Manager, HF45 Assembly

Melissa Schwager, EMC Engineer, FEDA Employee Resource Group

Women who Move the World How do you change the face of a historically male-dominated industry? By empowering more women.

At Ford, we’re amplifying female voices across all levels of our organization, putting women at the heart of everything we do. From the Production Team member ensuring the plant runs smoothly to the Chief Engineer who brought us the all-electric F-150® Lightning™, each woman of Ford makes us who we are.

“We’re encouraging women to be bold and step out and see that they are remarkable and capable and ready to take on that new assignment,” says Alison Nelson, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategies and Governance. Through mentorship opportunities, allyship within Employee Resource Groups, and fostering community outreach, we’re working to empower women with the tools and confidence to pursue their dreams.

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