2019 Hispanic Engineer & Information Technology | FALL - VOL. 34, NO. 2

T H E

J O B S / I N T E R N S H I P S

I S S U E

Fall 2019 | $6.95

Rodrigo Garcia Co-Founder and Board Member, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers

SHPE

NEEDS

YOU! Now that SHPE has over 10,000 members, it’s co-founder refelects on the past and what’s to come

INSIDE • Just Finished High School?

Why You Should Attend Community College First

• What’s an M.B.A. Worth in Your Engineering Career?

• 26 Million Jobs Available. Where Are the Blue-Collar STEM Jobs? www.hispanicengineer.com

10 Scholarship

Opportunities For College

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FEATURES

CONTENTS

2

COVER STORY 16

With over 10,000 members, SHPE is one of the largest national engineering organizations. Co-founder Rodrigo Garcia reflects on its early beginnings and the responsibility of a legacy for Latinos in STEM.

INSIDE

10

BLACK COLLEGES DIVERSIFY

All over the country, Hispanic enrollment at HBCUs is on the rise. Read all about it here.

14

TOP SCHOLARS:

These college students set the bar high on the road to success.

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2019

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PUBLISHER'S PAGE VOLUME 34 | NUMBER 2

DEPARTMENTS News & Events ....................6 Read the latest news about STEM education, test deadlines, and DACA/ immigration policy.

Scholarships ....................... 7 Are you looking for a scholarship? Here are some of the best opportunities available.

Financial Aid ...................... 8

Financial aid and loans can provide some extra cash for college.

Internships ....................... 20 Dreaming about a good internship isn’t enough. Start planning today with Hispanic Engineer.

Graduate Life ...................22

There are benefits to having engineering and business degrees. Professionals tell you why.

THE DIVERSITY OF STEM

Some of our favorite photos taken during the 2019 commencement season are of graduates with fun and inspirational messages on their mortarboard hats. This issue of Hispanic Engineer & Information Technology magazine not only celebrates their success; we also bring encouragement, tips, advice, and motivational stories on how they got through. We visit community colleges to learn about the innovative things they are doing to provide affordable training and education that enhance the digital skills of those starting lifelong learning for the digital workforce. Without a doubt, two-year colleges are doing more to raise awareness of the guidance you can get on career paths, scholarships, professional development, research, and even fitting in. Finally, Hispanic Engineer’s cover story features a wide-ranging interview with Rodrigo T. Garcia on how the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) was founded in Los Angeles, CA, in 1974. A lot has changed since Hispanic Engineer magazine first interviewed him.

More than 25 years on, we rediscover how SHPE established student chapters to begin the network that would grow rapidly around the United States. SHPE's mission is to change lives by empowering those in the Hispanic community to realize their fullest potential and impact the world through science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) awareness, access, support, and development. The challenge is huge, but we all have a responsibility to do our part as citizens of the United States, he says.

At last count, there are 25 million children in our nation’s schools. Less than half of the 3 million young people who graduated from high school entered a community college or other institution of higher education. More than 100 million people in the workforce do not have a two-year degree.

Junior College Life ..........24 Everything you need to know and why you should consider a junior college education.

Job Tools ..........................26

Tyrone D. Taborn Publisher and Chief Content Officer

Do you have an interview coming up?

Here are 10 tips to help you nail it!

Career Outlook ................29 Blue-Collar STEM: Where are the bluecollar STEM jobs in America?

• Industry Overview • Job Horizon

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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 ©2019 by Career Communications Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

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HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2019

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NEWS &EVENTS Francisco

Pamela

Amanda

Carlos

SAVE THE DATES Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Annual Conference October 5-7 in Chicago, IL

by Lango Deen ldeen@ccgmag.com

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), the largest Hispanic-Serving Institution in Texas and the second largest in the United States, has been sharing its “Student Profiles in Excellence” feature with the online world since 2015. This year, Hispanic Engineer magazine showcases a few of the 2019 science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) students spotlighted for their “outstanding contributions to the university and local communities.” Students are nominated by UTRGV faculty and staff to the office of the Dean of Students (https://www.utrgv.edu/en-us/ student-experience/profiles-in-excellence/index.htm).

Francisco Javier Menchaca, a mechanical engineering major in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, has worked as an undergraduate research assistant for Partnership for Research and Education in Materials Science (PREM) among other oncampus jobs. They “have helped me develop important soft and technical skills to build a strong resume and find opportunities like internships, full-time offers, etc.,” he says.

Pamela Cepeda is a manufacturing and industrial engineering major. “Engineering always intrigued me, so I decided to take the challenge and go for it,” she said. Cepeda was a little more conservative about financing her education. “I knew opportunities for growth and development were available at UTRGV for those who looked for them. Therefore, I decided not to take out loans to go elsewhere and stay close to home,” she explained.

Amanda Champion is majoring in physics. “UTRGV is not only more affordable than other UT schools, but it is close to home, making it the perfect university to earn a bachelor’s from,” she said.

Carlos Hevia Alejano is majoring in computer science. He was offered a chess scholarship while in his last semester at the University of Havana and got into programming while playing a game of Twister.

Joshua

Mariana

Joseph

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Joshua Ruiz, another computer science major, said his father owns a software company. Computers have always surrounded him, he said.

Mariana Cerda is majoring in biomedical sciences. Her parents attended the university when it was the University of Texas-Pan American. “I love the opportunities UTRGV gives us and the people here. I’m fortunate enough to work for the Department of Recruitment as an orientation leader,” she said.

Joseph Lee Marquez had a poignant and inspirational story.

“UTRGV offers a degree in finance, and it’s very good-quality education at a reasonable cost. Growing up with a father that had five strokes and open-heart surgery, and a mother who has a bone spur in one arm, made my journey difficult ... UTRGV gave me this amazing opportunity to stay close to home, and I am extremely grateful for it,” Marquez said.

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2019

(https://www.hacu.net/hacu/Annual_ Conference1.asp)

American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) National Conference October 10-12 in Milwaukee, WI (http://conference.aises.org/registration)

Prospanica (formerly the National Society of Hispanic MBAs) Conference & Career Expo October 30-November 1 in Orlando, FL (http://www.prospanicaconference.org/)

Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) National Diversity in STEM Conference October 31-November 2 in Honolulu, HI ( https://www.sacnas.org/)

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) National Convention October 30-November 3 in Phoenix, AZ (http://convention.shpe.org/)

Test Deadlines

GMAT testing is available yearround. For more information, visit https://www. prospanica. org/page/ StudentMembership

Public Policy and Immigration

In June, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would offer citizenship to immigrants, including “dreamers” who were brought to the United States as children. The vote was 237 to 187 for the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019, which would grant dreamers 10 years of legal residence status if they meet certain requirements. The bill will now move to the Senate.

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SCHOLARSHIPS

by Lango Deen ldeen@ccgmag.com

10 SCHOLARSHIPS TO HELP YOU SAVE FOR SCHOOL

S

ince 1975, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund has provided scholarships and support services to as many Hispanic-American students as possible. Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors, community college transfer students, undergraduate students, and graduate students. In this edition, Hispanic Engineer has compiled a few other competitive scholarship programs you need to know about.

The First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FCHCC) awarded a total of $20,000 in scholarships to 10 deserving applicants in 2019.

According to FHCC’s website, the winning students will be recognized at the Annual Hispanic Heritage Gala held every fall. FHCC’s Achieving the Dream Scholarship is for students of Hispanic/Latino descent who are pursuing an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree. (https://fchcc.com/ scholarship/) The Leo and Trinidad Sanchez Scholarship is open to HispanicAmerican students enrolled or planning to enroll in a program leading to a degree in architecture. For more information or an application, visit www.aiasiliconvalley.org.

The National Scholarship Award will cover your tuition and fees up to a maximum of $14,500 for an associate degree and $29,000 for a bachelor’s degree. The award is renewable each year. For more information, visit https://www.thedream.us/scholarships/ national-scholarship/.

The period for submitting applications to the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) HACER National Scholarship program reopens in October. HACER scholarships are awarded to Hispanic students beginning their freshman year of college. Visit the website for more

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information: https://www.mcdonalds. com/us/en-us/community.html.

Candidates for the Morgan Stanley Richard B. Fisher Scholarship program must be undergraduate sophomore or junior students enrolled in a four-year university. If selected, you will receive a financial scholarship for academic achievement following acceptance of a summer internship with Morgan Stanley. For more information, visit https://www.morganstanley.com/ people-opportunities/studentsgraduates/programs/diversity/morganstanley-richard-b-fisher-scholarshipprogram-north-america/.

According to PG&E, the company has a range of scholarships to help the next generation of Californians succeed in STEM. The Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) Company Latino Employee Resource Group offers scholarships to college-bound high school seniors or continuing students in college. To learn more, visit https://www.pge.com/ en_US/residential/in-your-community/ education-programs/grants-andscholarships/scholarship-opportunities/ scholarship-opportunities.page.

The ExxonMobil/LNESC Scholarship helps outstanding high school seniors who plan to pursue a degree in engineering. Sponsored by Exxon Mobil Corp., LNESC awards one scholarship of $20,000, paid over four years, and 12 $2,000 scholarships. LULAC National Educational Service Centers, Inc., or (LNESC), implements educational programs that narrow the opportunity gap. LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) is the oldest Hispanic civil rights organization. For more information, visit https://www. lnesc.org/exxonmobillnesc-scholarship.

who come from underrepresented or underserved communities. The scholarship program offers mentoring and Lockheed Martin internship opportunities to those who have completed their freshman year in college. Scholarship applications for the 2020-2021 school year will open in January. Visit the website (https:// www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/whowe-are/communities/stem-education/ lm-scholarship-program.html) for more information.

Applicants for the El Cafe Del Futuro Scholarship must be full-time undergraduate or graduate students attending a four-year HACU-member institution within the U.S. or Puerto Rico; of Latino descent; and a legal resident of the 50 United States, Washington, D.C., or Puerto Rico. The scholarship is open to ALL majors.

For more information or to apply, visit https://www.hacu.net/hacu/ Scholarships.asp.

Massport's Office of Diversity & Inclusion/Compliance offers a scholarship program to foster diversity in the transportation industry and connect graduating minority high school seniors to college scholarships to support the state’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Initiative. All graduating minority high school seniors from the neighboring communities interested in pursuing a degree in areas of study including aviation, business administration, accounting, architecture, engineering, finance, and human resources are eligible to apply for the STEM Scholarships. Contact Magda Plumb at 617-568-3125 or email mplumb@ massport.com. HE

Lockheed Martin launched a scholarship program in 2018. The program is open to individuals studying engineering or computer science

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2019

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FINANCIAL AID

By Charles Owen-Jackson editors@ccgmag.com

5 WAYS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS TO SAVE MONEY Without a full-time income, trying to save money can seem impossible, even if you have financial aid.

However, while you might be reluctant to sacrifice some of the things you enjoy, you certainly won't regret cutting your expenses. The following takes a look at some of the ways to save on food, entertainment, transportation, study materials, and rent.

•

Cook large meals during the weekend and freeze additional portions. This way, you always have meals available when you are too busy to cook.

•

Cook with your roommates or fellow students. It is more economical to cook for a group of people rather than cook just for yourself. There also tends to be much less food going to waste. If everyone puts some money toward a meal, you can eat very cheaply.

•

8

Take advantage of coupons and subsidized food and drink deals.

Be sure to buy coupons online for discounts on food and vacations using sites such as Groupon.com.

•

Take a look at the public transport available in your area. In most countries, students enjoy discounts on public transport passes. Also, if you can avoid driving, you won't have to pay expensive car insurance premiums.

•

Getting to class by bicycle is often a favorite among students who are living within a few miles of the campus. It costs nothing to ride a bicycle, and you will get plenty of exercise too.

•

If you can share rides to classes, everyone involved can save a fair amount. Also, consolidating your trips will help to decrease fuel costs, and in some cases, you may even be able to pay less on insurance.

2 – Entertainment Entertainment tends to be among the largest expenditures. Even if you go to student venues for nights out, you can still spend a great deal. If you enjoy an active social life that involves going to various events, you can end up spending more than $50 per week.

•

•

1 – Food The student lifestyle often involves frequent takeout and eating at cafes/ canteens either on-campus or off. Having to budget might seem depressing, but it can save you hundreds of dollars.

Avoiding takeout and eating out less will allow you more control over your diet, and wallet.

to drive a significant distance to get to your classes. Public transportation costs are also quite high. However, there is a range of options.

•

Take advantage of free events organized and subsidized by your educational institution. While many students get tired of spending much of their time on-campus, such events tend to be much cheaper than the average night out on the town.

Use online discount directories such as Groupon.com to search for discounts on sports games and trips. Such websites provide a range of deals that are often heavily discounted.

Be flexible. When it comes to entertainment, it is cheaper to go out during the week rather than the weekend. On weekdays, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and other entertainment venues have special promotions to attract customers.

3 – Transportation Transportation can run into hundreds of dollars per year, particularly if you have

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2019

4 – Study Materials The average university student pays well over $1,000 on textbooks and other study materials. However, most people also spend far more than they need to.

Fortunately, it is easy to save money on things like textbooks.

•

Avoid buying new textbooks, even if their prices are subsidized at on-campus bookstores. Instead, purchase used books from online retailers or second-hand bookstores.

Used textbooks sometimes cost next to nothing.

•

Sell old textbooks and other study materials once you no longer need them. There are many online resources where you can sell used books, including Amazon.com, Bookfinder.com, and eBay.

•

Try searching for alternatives, such as electronic books. These usually come in the form of PDF files, and

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FINANCIAL AID

Getting to class by bicycle is often a favorite among students who are living within a few miles of the campus. It costs nothing to ride a Check state and local government websites bicycle, and regularly for scholarship award announcements. you will get Community organizations also award scholarships plenty of based on academic ability or other factors. exercise too.

they tend to be cheaper. However, you will also need an e-book reader, such as the Amazon Kindle.

•

5 – Rent Rent will most likely be by far your largest monthly outgoing. Apartment rentals vary from place to place, so you will need to be prepared to spend time researching.

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•

If you have a large enough place, be sure to let out any spare rooms. In some countries, any rental income from letting out a spare room is non-taxable, and you will usually have a degree of flexibility over how much you can charge.

Looking around for a more affordable location can also make a difference. As long as there

are affordable and convenient transportation options available in the area, living off-campus can save you money on your rent.

•

Many landlords are happy to negotiate rent, and quite often, people don't end up paying as much as the advertised price. Even if you only save $50 a month, it is still well worth it in the long term. HE

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by Lango Deen ldeen@ccgmag.com

HBCUS DIVERSIFY Historically Black Colleges and Universities Increase Hispanic Enrollment

Huston-Tillotson University is Austin’s first and only historically Black college and university (HBCU). Four years ago, The Chronicle of Higher Education reported that almost 20 percent of the student body at the HBCU were Hispanic. According to federal data, Latinos made up 19 percent of students at Huston-Tillotson in 2014.

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T

his upward trend is nationwide.

Over the past 30 years, researchers say Latino enrollment at HBCUs has increased, especially in regions of the country where the Hispanic population is growing rapidly.

One study, The Changing Face of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, published by the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, found that Latino enrollment has been particularly vigorous at HBCUs in Texas. At Prairie View A&M University, Latino students now represent 4 percent of the student body, a 123 percent increase from 1980, the report said. Similarly, in 2011, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), which is quoted in

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2019

the report, found that Texas College and Huston-Tillotson University have seen a proportional growth in Latino students—by 9 percent and 19 percent, respectively.

Speaking to Houston Public Media, Brian Armstrong, the executive director of admissions at Texas Southern University, said that Hispanic numbers have gone from 4 percent five years ago to almost 7 percent.

“As the country moves closer to becoming a minority-majority population, several opportunities exist for HBCUs, from increased enrollments, funding, and overall attention. However, the appropriate strategic leaders and vision must be in place to take www.hispanicengineer.com

advantage of any opportunities that arise for these schools,” said Brian Bridges, who is quoted in the report.

Bridges is executive director of the United Negro College Fund’s Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute.

Kara Turner, vice president for enrollment management and student success at Morgan State University, the largest historically Black college in the state of Maryland, says Morgan State has always been open and welcoming to students from all backgrounds.

Turner is at the helm of “deliberate efforts underway” at Maryland's preeminent urban public research university.

Graduate School of Education report noted, however, that with a full quarter of HBCUs across the nation having at least a 20 percent non-Black student body, some people worry that the changing composition of HBCUs endangers the very aspect of these institutions that make them unique.

"Others argue that diversity makes these institutions stronger, by fostering mutual respect and an appreciation for Black culture among a broader population," the report said.

Last August, writing for Diverse Issues in Higher Education, senior staff writer Dr. Lamont Jones said

“HBCUs, since their founding, have been open to all manner of students and included all, regardless of race. They are the only class of higher education that since their founding have been that. They have never, ever been race-based.”

Lezli Baskerville, president and CEO, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education “We are optimistic about the potential for future growth among degreeseeking Hispanic students choosing to come to Morgan,” Turner said.

“Diversity is one of Morgan’s core values, and it is embraced throughout all that we do. Over the past few years, Morgan has made an even more concerted effort to ensure that we offer a supportive environment. This includes hiring a Spanish-speaking admission officer, developing bilingual recruitment materials, and increasing our presence at Hispanic-focused college fairs. We've also helped our Hispanic students start a Latino Student Association and a Latina sorority on campus.”

Morgan State’s Office of Institutional Research, led by Cheryl Rollins, is responsible for compiling and disseminating information, including student enrollment and demographics.

The office plays a major role in responding to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) data collection program for NCES, a system of surveys designed to collect data from providers of postsecondary education.

The University of Pennsylvania www.hispanicengineer.com

Equal Opportunity in Higher Education in the Diverse Issues article. “HBCUs are the only class of higher education that since their founding have been that. They have never, ever been race-based.”

ation l u p o P t n e ud Hispanic Snt State University at Morga

BY KENNETH BARNES editors@ccgmag.com

244 FALL o2f0to14ta:l enrollment 7,698) (3.2% 279 FALL 2015ta:l enrollment 7,725) (3.6% of to

266ent 7,689) : 6 1 0 2 L L A F of total enrollm (3.5% 257 FALL 2017ta:l enrollment 7,747) (3.3% of to

264 FALL o2f0to18ta:l enrollment 7,712) (3.4%

that white students at West Virginia State University accounted for 62.8 percent of the enrollment in the fall of 2017. African Americans constituted 8.9 percent, Asian/Pacific Islanders made up 6.2 percent, students identifying as multiracial constituted 5.5 percent, and just over 15 percent chose to not selfidentify, Diverse Issues said.

“The faces of our campuses are going to change over the next two decades,” West Virginia State University (WVSU) President Dr. Anthony L. Jenkins told Jones. “We can be the actual case study in terms of how this thing works well, and in terms of not losing your HBCU identity.”

Jones also noted that HBCUs have never had policies of exclusion even though they were established with the specific mission of educating the descendants of slaves in a segregated society that limited their access to anything that could provide upward economic and social mobility.

“HBCUs, since their founding, have been open to all manner of students and included all, regardless of race,” said Lezli Baskerville, president and CEO of the National Association for

Office e University organ Stat

h nal Researc

o of Instituti

Source: M

Dr. Steve D. Mobley, Jr., an assistant professor of higher education at the University of Alabama who studies HBCUs, was also interviewed for the article. He is the co-author of a chapter titled “Re-coloring Campus: Complicating the Discourse About Race and Ethnicity at Historically Black Colleges and Universities” in Advances in Education in Diverse Communities: Research, Policy, and Praxis.

Demographic changes in the community surrounding a school and high-quality specialty programs at an affordable price are other enticements to non-Black students, Mobley told Jones.

Over the decades, non-Black scholars found a home teaching at HBCUs when they were “quotaed out” of historically white institutions or rejected because of anti-Semitism, which is a reason Albert Einstein once taught at Lincoln University, Mobley said. HE

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2019

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40%

According to New CBcampus.com Survey

of hiring managers would hire college interns for full-time, permanent positions.

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Top

BY GALE HORTON GAY editors@ccgmag.com

scholars

ROAD TO SUCCESS REQUIRES SETTING THE BAR HIGHER The pathway to success in career and life starts with goals, motivation, and commitment. Setting the bar high academically is but one of many routes to success, as is pursuing professional experience through internships and seeking leadership opportunities.

Even before graduating, many young people pursuing STEM careers are clearly on the success path. Juan Pablo Guerra achieved a 3.9 GPA in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Florida International University in Miami, FL, and was also a board member of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society.

Michelle Torelli had a 3.87 GPA while working toward a master’s degree in environmental engineering at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. She also was the founder and president of Latinos on Fast Track. Danny Munoz achieved a 3.74 GPA in his senior year at City College of the City University of New York while working on a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

Leading to graduation, he also interned at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI in the Space Sciences and Engineering Department and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD, as a research intern.

Daniel Bosquez offers the following tips to achieve success: • “Sit in the front. Take excellent notes, review them immediately after class, and you will never have to study again.”

• “It is infinitely harder to scheme your way around your work and memorize. It is much easier to learn things by understanding the why and how behind them. That way you’ll know things and not memorize facts you will soon forget.”

• “The only person you should be better than is who you were yesterday.”

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HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2019

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Lizbeth Sanchez offers the following tips for success: • Don’t be too rushed. “Not everyone works at the same pace. Everything will come in its time.”

• “You can always find a better version of yourself.” She suggests working toward self-betterment.

• Goals are good and important, but it’s also important to balance work and life goals. Don’t forget about the other aspects of your life when pursuing career goals.

She said it’s important not to be so consumed with career goals that you forget about enjoying all that life has to offer.

Hispanic Engineer & Information Technology Magazine asked two high achievers for insight into their goals, motivations, and advice they could give others who want to chart their paths to success.

Daniel Bosquez

A 23-year-old University of Houston senior with a 3.91 GPA, Daniel Bosquez is in his final semester working on a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He has interned at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX. Asked why he chose a STEM career path, Bosquez said three things led him to engineering.

“I have this hyper-logical brain that also drives this never-ending curiosity to learn the ins and outs of everything,” said Bosquez. “A combination of loving to learn fascinating things, wanting to create, and being a key part of something bigger than myself all led me to engineering. I am lucky something like engineering exists.”

While he has his sights set on some lofty ambitions, Bosquez said that getting some rest and relaxation is first on his agenda.

“Finally rest,” said Bosquez when asked what he planned to do after graduation.

“Anything is better than the rigor of 24/7 school. Professionally, I want to dig in deep into something technical with aerospace surrounded by some very great people—good advice and knowledge are contagious. I want to capitalize on all the science and knowledge I have gained before I forget it all. Personally, this is the time to lay the foundation for my future lifestyle and family. I am lucky enough to be able

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to determine the level of success I can experience in the near future, so I will not squander the opportunity.”

Bosquez gives credit to his parents first and foremost for his motivation.

“Everything that I am is a product of the teachings and sacrifices of my parents, so I owe them my best effort at the very least. Beyond that, I have seen and read about many great achievements done by very impressive people, but often at some significant personal costs. I believe by surrounding myself with good people, staying focused, and having a plan [so] I can ensure success in whatever I set out to do without losing myself or my family in the process.”

Lizbeth Sanchez

Lizbeth Sanchez is a 26-year-old who graduated from University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez in 2018 with a degree in chemical engineering and a 3.5 GPA. While in college, she took leadership seriously, serving as president and founder of her school chapter of Global Bridges, executive board member and recruiting manager of the school’s chapter of Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and school

chapter of Society of Women Engineers.

Her first job out of college was in West Virginia as a project engineer in a manufacturing chemical plant, overseeing small ($50,000) and large ($1.9 million) projects. After a year in that position, she was hired in her current job in Washington, D.C., working as a technology consultant.

She’s wildly enthusiastic about the work she does, sharing, “I love it. I feel like there’s a lot of growth here. I feel like there are so many things you’re able to do, projects you can join … It’s good to be part of the process.”

Initially, Sanchez wanted to pursue a career as a pharmacist, but her brother was in mechanical engineering, and she was exposed to some of the people in the field and gained a better understanding of what was involved in engineering. She liked what she heard and saw.

Sanchez said her motivation comes from within.

“I feel like I am naturally motivated,” she said. “How can I be a better version of myself?” is what she asks herself. HE

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" W H E N I TA L K T O STUDENTS, I A LWAY S T E L L T H E M T H A T ' H E Y, I F I C A N M A K E I T, YO U C A N M A K E I T. "

Rodrigo Garcia Co-founder and Board Member, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)

A R E YO U S U R P R I S E D? I asked Rodrigo T. Garcia, currently a board member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE).

“No, we're not surprised,” he said on the phone from his office at Century Diversified Inc. "We're engineers, and we planned for it to be a national organization. So, we're happy that it did grow."

Today, SHPE has 230-plus chapters spread across the United States—from the West Coast to the Northeast, and the South to the Midwest.

However, almost five decades ago, when Garcia joined the Los Angeles City Employees Chicano Association (LACECA), the city was "so conservative" that the early-career engineer didn’t want to stand out so he could move up in his career.

Garcia eventually became membership chair for the fledgling group, and news from Fernando Nunez at one of their 16

evening meetings changed the course of his trajectory.

instrumental. He mentored me quite a bit."

Nunez mentioned that there was a movement on the East Coast to increase the number of minorities in engineering. The national effort was being funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, a grantmaking institution that supports research and education in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and economics.

Garcia became the first president of SHPE, supported by Alex Vidaurazaga, the first treasurer, Andres Santamaria (secretary), Americo Garza (first vice president) and George Esquer (second vice president).

Ernie Valdez, then president of the LACECA, decided in that meeting to appoint Garcia as a liaison with the new effort.

After a couple of meetings, Garcia went back to members of LACECA, which was set up primarily to deal with grievances that Latino city employees were experiencing with career progression or disciplinary matters.

"I picked five people there to help establish SHPE, and they all agreed," Garcia said. "William Nunez wasn't on the first board, but he was

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Over the next few months, the "cohesive group of city engineers" would meet regularly at lunchtime and in the evenings to chart SHPE’s path.

"We were aware of the political scene and plugged into other Latino efforts," Garcia said. "That helped, but also, we were civil engineers and members of the American Society of Civil Engineers, so we took that as our model to make SHPE work."

Born in East Los Angeles, Garcia's family moved from a low-income community to Montebello, a predominantly white, upscale neighborhood with good schools at the time, when he was 10. Garcia also grew

www.hispanicengineer.com

THE LEGACY OF SHPE SHPE MARKS MILESTONE WITH 10,000 MEMBERS

More than 45 years ago, five Latino civil engineers working for the city of Los Angeles started an organization that is now over 10,000 strong.

BY LANGO DEEN ldeen@ccgmag.com

up against the backdrop of America’s space race to beat Russia's Sputnik program.

"The school I was going to was preparing students to go to college, into engineering and STEM-related fields," Garcia said. "I was pretty good at math, so I just got caught up in that."

At the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), he found he was one of the few Latino students, if not the only one, in engineering. For the first time, he was exposed to fraternities and the way they helped each other forge through college. "That was an influence in establishing SHPE student chapters," he said.

He also recalls an unfortunate encounter with someone who wondered out loud why he (Garcia) was at UCLA. Feeling isolated and questioning his ability, Garcia dropped out. The experience gave him an understanding of how first-generation college students can become www.hispanicengineer.com

traumatized by root shock.

"My parents were happy that I was going to college and were supportive, but they didn't know much more than that," he said. “They didn’t even have high school diplomas.”

Out of four-year college in 1963, Garcia landed a job as an engineering aide, got married, and started a family, while he continued professional development at night school to become a licensed professional engineer. Outside of work, he also rode what he called the “cultural revolution wave” that came on the back of the civil rights movement.

"Latinos were becoming more aware," he said. "SHPE got support from city engineers, the Board of Public Works, and eventually the city council. That helped," he said.

Looking back, Garcia says the growth of SHPE would have been harder without support from political entities and people like Gil Vasquez, a certified public accountant who introduced him

to a Latino forum that represented Hispanic organizations nationwide.

"Right away, we were plugged in.

Gil opened up doors, and there I was representing engineering at the national level," Garcia recalled.

Opportunities continued to fall in place, despite the absence of city or county diversity and inclusion policies and a prevailing trend to push all groups to downplay ethnicity.

From academia, Garcia got a letter from the dean of engineering at California State University, Los Angeles, the school Garcia eventually graduated from with a bachelor's degree in 1972.

In response to the alumni survey, Garcia challenged the dean, Dr. Leslie Cromwell, to do more for Latinos in engineering. The two men met shortly after, and the first SHPE student chapter was founded at Cal State Los Angeles.

Cromwell also wanted SHPE to be part of a consortium that was submitting a

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Alex Vidaurazaga, treasurer, SHPE, Fernando Nunez, a charter member and person who informed the group about the national effort to increase the number of minority engineers; Bill Nuanes, second national president, SHPE, and first chairman of SHPE Foundation, Manny Moya, 4th national president, and Rodrigo T. Garcia.

" I A LWAY S T E L L STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS T H AT I T ' S U P T O THEM TO STEP UP A N D N O T WA I T F O R S O M E O N E T O TA P THEM ON THE SHOULDER," GARCIA SAID. "THEY NEED TO TA K E L E A D E R S H I P ROLES, CAREER WISE, OR W H AT E V E R I T MIGHT BE." new proposal to the Sloan Foundation to increase the number of minorities in engineering. The group was made up of Cal State Los Angeles, California State University, Long Beach, California

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State University, Northrop University, and the University of Southern California.

tirelessly to facilitate the strategic mission: Change lives by empowering the Hispanic community.

SHPE's growing network was also helped by Richard Carrizosa's newsletter that captured the zeitgeist of SHPE for distribution to “everybody and anybody”—a good promotional tool at the national level.

He doesn’t want to be the only leader.

He tells every Hispanic/Latino student and professional who will listen that as citizens of the United States of America, they need to do more because they have a lot to bring to the table.

"When I talk to students, I always tell them that 'hey, if I can make it, you can make it," Garcia said.

Reflecting on a long-ago introduction to engineering speakers’ event he attended at East Los Angeles College, Garcia recalls the advice to be innovative and good at mathematics as a recipe for success in engineering.

"I was good at math, but I couldn't think of anything that I developed on my own," he said. "I was very young, and it was pretty scary at the time. Later in life, I learned that a lot of people feel inadequate. But if you hang in there long enough and begin to share stories with others and collaborate, you begin to feel more comfortable."

More than four decades on, Garcia says he has been involved with SHPE for as long as he can remember. He still feels “impressed, excited, and invigorated” each time he goes to an SHPE conference. He invites other non-engineer Latinos to attend, but many do not. He wants to share the success and energy that is displayed at the conference, where 7,500-plus professionals and students attend.

Back on SHPE’s board, he still works

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2019

"I always tell students and professionals that it's up to them to step up and not wait for someone to tap them on the shoulder," he said. "They need to take leadership roles, careerwise, or whatever it might be."

Garcia also sees the discrimination and challenges faced by young people today, who are either first in the family to go to college or from families who are recent immigrants.

He has an abiding hope and lasting desire to see SHPE and Hispanic media organizations promote more science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) career information in communities, with support for parents who want to get their children excited about opportunities in engineering.

Like many great moments in history, the story of Rodrigo T. Garcia and the five city engineers in Los Angeles has been told often.

It's still worth telling because SHPE continues to make a difference in “empowering the Hispanic community to realize its fullest potential and to impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support, and development.” HE www.hispanicengineer.com

Inspiring & Igniting ADInnovation NOW!

Our Mission is to unite and empower diverse talent to enable innovation and value creation.

Our Vision is to inspire and ignite untapped potential in the global community.

Core Values • • • • • • • •

Commitment Courage Humility Open-mindedness Servant Leadership Visionary Integrity Trust OUR PARTNERS

www.glfnow.org

INTERNSHIPS

By Charles Owen-Jackson editors@ccgmag.com

APPLICATION TIPS THAT YOU NEED

Take note of these tips and you'll land the internship of your dreams During the spring semester, many companies and corporations around the country search for college students to fill their summer internship positions.

These companies want students who are passionate, diligent, and self-motivated.

After you search high and low for information, the next step is to fill out the application form. If you found the internship through your school, then they will have the forms you need to complete. However, if you heard about the internship from a colleague or from an online forum, then you can do one of two things: search the company’s website for an internship page to find out more information, or send the company a personal email stating that you would like to receive more information about the internship.

Most of the time, the application will request an attached resume upon submission. If this is the case, then do so; in fact, if submitting an application by mail, attach two copies of your resume just in case one is misplaced.

Before you can start to think about the interview, you must first get through the application process. Hundreds of college students compete for the same internship. How can you stand out from the rest and be sure that you are one of the few scheduled for an interview?

If you have a second resume, which gives job history in a career field unrelated to the position you applied for, go ahead and send it as well. For example, an actor who applies for a marketing internship can send a second resume that entails his or her previous gigs. Do not mix your job resume with your acting, dance, or writing resume; they are two different elements and should be treated as such. The second resume gives the interviewer a deeper look into your personal interest. If he has experience in your second career field, you two may be able to connect on a personal level, giving you an edge over the competition.

First, get acquainted with the company.

What type of company is it? What is the age range of its targeted customers? What is the company’s mission? Who are its competitors?

Most of this information can be found on the company’s main website. The

If filling out an online application, make sure all information is correct, including contact information for previous employers. Often, companies use the provided information to contact previous employers or to get in contact with you. Do not be the person the

Y

ou do not need a 4.0 GPA to land the internship of a lifetime, but you will need a well-executed strategy. Many college students will not even reach the interview process because they failed during the application process.

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research you do now will help you in the interview as well; do not be afraid to use your newfound knowledge to impress the interviewer.

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2019

interviewer could not contact because of an “inactive email address,” which is “inactive” because it was misspelled.

If you fill out an application by hand, make sure to write neatly. Do not write in cursive because many times it is difficult to distinguish certain letters.

Also, double check your information to make sure everything is spelled correctly. Unlike an online admission, spell check is unavailable.

Not all companies give information about possible internships; instead, they wait for people to contact them. If there is a company you would like to intern for and they did not state whether they are in need of interns, go ahead and send an email. In the email, write a little information about yourself telling them who you are, what you study in college, and why you want the internship.

Also, inform them of any credits you may look to receive at the end of the internship. Sending the first email not only displays your interest, but also shows that you take the initiative to get things done.

Do not wait around for a response once the email is sent; instead, apply for more internships. It is always good to have more than one option just in case you do not get the first internship you applied for.

If several weeks pass and you do not receive a response about your application, then go ahead and give the company a call. Tell them that you applied for their internship, and you are calling about the status of your application. If they tell you they already found their interns for the summer, thank them for their time. However, if they tell you your application is still pending, thank them and practice patience. Try not to call more than once. Many companies are busy and cannot afford to answer phone calls from nervous applicants.

www.hispanicengineer.com

INTERNSHIPS

First, get acquainted with the company. What type of company is it? What is the age range of its targeted customers? What is the company’s mission? Who are its competitors? The research you do now will help you in the interview as well; do not be afraid to use your newfound knowledge to impress the interviewer.

Knowing how to search and apply for an internship is just as important as the interview. Many students miss the opportunity of a lifetime because they called one too many times or because they failed to double check their application form. Do not be that person.

While you wait for the scheduled interview, get ahead of the game and update your resume, or have a friend ask possible interview questions. You can never be overprepared for an interview, only underprepared. HE

www.hispanicengineer.com

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2019

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GRADUATE LIFE

by Gale Horton Gay editors@ccgmag.com

ENGINEERING AND BUSINESS: A GREAT COMBINATION FOR SUCCESS

The many benefits of acquiring both engineering and business degrees An engineering degree is a highly soughtafter academic goal for many, as is a degree in business. Both have the potential to lead to promising careers doing work that’s challenging, meaningful, and lucrative. An increasing number of people are finding benefits in pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree after achieving engineering degrees or enrolling in programs that combine business and engineering studies.

C

olumbia University offers a Master of Science degree in management science and engineering. The University of Pennsylvania has a Wharton/ engineering dual-degree program, and the institution states on its website that its programs are for students “looking for a career trajectory leveraging the strong combination of business leadership interests and strong

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Fikru Boghossian, Ph.D., Dean of the Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management, Morgan State University

technical skills.”

“A combination of the ‘soft skills’ in addition to the ‘hard skills’—accounting and finance from business and ‘technical skills’ from engineering— can open doors in many directions to reach the upper echelons of

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2019

corporations, domestic and global,” said Fikru Boghossian, Ph.D., dean of the Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management at Morgan State University (MSU). The business school is named for Black Enterprise magazine founder and publisher Earl G. Graves.

www.hispanicengineer.com

GRADUATE LIFE

Boghossian said engineers who don’t want to have their career choices limited would be wise to secure an M.B.A. He added that a good alternative for those not wanting to pursue an M.B.A. would be a master’s degree in engineering management.

Of the approximately 8,000 students at MSU, 125 are pursuing an M.B.A., Dean Boghossian remarked. “We are in conversation with the engineering school about how we market our entrepreneurship and innovation to the engineering undergrads interested in an M.B.A. and how we can deliver a joint degree program at the master’s level, which will position our graduate students for leadership and management success in the tech space.

Morgan State is embarking on an “engineering undergrad plus M.B.A.” approach, according to Boghossian.

MSU offers a two-year M.B.A. program with a specialization in accounting, finance, project management, etc. It is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). MSU’s engineering school offers three undergraduate engineering degrees and three graduate engineering degrees.

“It gives one more flexibility to move in and around the corporate world,” said Boghossian, adding that an M.B.A. is also best for those engineers considering an entrepreneurial path.

“Engineers are builders and problem solvers, and may have ideas for great products or businesses, but often lack the requisite business acumen to bring ideas to the marketplace.”

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“MSU is working in partnership with the Wharton School of Business in reviewing and possibly revising its business school curriculum to ensure it provides students with an offering of the highest quality possible,” said Boghossian.

The university also is in early interactions with Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business about the development of a prospective advanced degree in innovation and entrepreneurship, he said.

Boghossian pointed out that CEOs of tech companies have complemented their engineering degrees with an M.B.A. For example, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, has an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering as well as an M.B.A., and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella earned a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree before pursuing a master’s degree in computer science followed by an M.B.A.

Boghossian said engineers who don’t want to have their career choices

limited would be wise to secure an M.B.A. He added that a good alternative for those not wanting to pursue an M.B.A. would be a master’s degree in engineering management.

“A master of engineering degree will limit your future career choices compared to an M.B.A.,” he said.

He pointed out the following benefits of getting both engineering and business degrees:

•

M.B.A.s prepare graduates to lead and to manage people and processes while engineering degrees do not offer this same preparation.

•

M.B.A. studies provide exposure to finance, accounting, marketing, and supply chain knowledge.

•

Engineers have “hard” skills: quantitative and problem solving, but lack “soft” skills such as teamwork, leadership, ethics, communication, critical thinking, negotiation, and strategic planning.

•

An M.B.A. is more valuable (flexibility and broad exposure to business problems) for most nontechnical professions than an M.S. in engineering.

•

Engineers with M.B.A.s will have a broader field of careers to consider when seeking to change jobs. Leveraging an engineering background in non-technical industries such as banking, finance, entertainment, etc. will be easier with that additional business degree.

Boghossian added that engineers seeking to ascend into C-Suite leadership would find that having an M.B.A. is more desirable than having a master’s degree in engineering. HE

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JUNIOR COLLEGE LIFE

by Stephanie Nusbaum editors@ccgmag.com

COMMUNITY COLLEGES: AMERICA’S BEST-KEPT SECRET?

D

r. Scott Thayer has an impressive resume. He received a doctorate in higher education administration and leadership from the University of Southern California.

He co-founded A2MEND, a nonprofit that promotes academic success among African-American males. He has secured more than $5 million in grant funding to aid underrepresented students seeking higher education.

And he’s sitting on what he calls one of America’s best kept secrets: community college.

Thayer is the vice president of student services at San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC), a community college in California with just over 17,000 students.

“I think there have been some historical misconceptions of what community college is,” said Thayer, who began his post-secondary education at Normandale Community College in Minnesota. “And I think once people look at it a little more closely, they see that it’s affordable, and it’s a great opportunity to advance yourself.”

Dr. Guillermo Martinez, (left) interim vice president of student affairs, Austin Community College; Dr. Scott Thayer, (right) vice president of student services, San Bernadino College

Dr. Guillermo Martinez, interim vice president of student affairs at Austin Community College (ACC) in Texas, echoed those sentiments.

That transition is even more pronounced for students from low-income families, who not only struggle to afford college but often are expected to go straight into the workforce. Both SBVC and ACC are federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institutions, or HSIs, and have learned that communication is key to helping minority students succeed.

“A lot of people say that community college is easier and watered down,” he said. “But a lot of the times, it’s folks that haven’t taken a course at a community college. Our staff are just as credentialed.”

As the cost of higher education soars nationwide, Thayer and Martinez are among a growing number of voices touting the benefits of community colleges—among them affordability, familiarity, and quick access to both good jobs and further education.

The benefits start at home, literally.

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“Some students aren’t ready to leave home at 18,” Thayer said. “They need a few more years to work their way toward moving, and community college is a great place for that.”

“It’s important that the families understand what the educational experience will be like,” Thayer said.

“Ultimately, once you leave high school, at some point, you have to go to work. The training we can offer allows them to maximize their earning potential. So, we’re trying to help inform the families so they feel

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2019

“People aren’t going to ask you where you started— they’re going to ask where you finished,” Thayer said. comfortable in understanding that this is an investment in the students, an investment in themselves, in the family, so they can support spending time in class versus spending time working.”

Community college is known for being affordable—both SBVC and ACC cost well under $100 per credit hour for in-state students—and a two-year time

www.hispanicengineer.com

frame is appealing for those looking to enter the workforce at a decent wage quickly. However, the benefits aren’t capped at two years. Community colleges also offer an ever-growing network of connections to other colleges and universities.

“We’re affiliated with everybody,” Martinez said. “Texas A&M has one of the best engineering programs in the world; it’s very difficult to get into.

We set up a partnership with them where students come to ACC for their first year and are taught by a full-time faculty member affiliated with A&M, who teaches the introduction course.

They take that along with our other courses in engineering, and if they do well enough that first year, they’re guaranteed admittance to the Texas A&M engineering school.”

A partnership with Texas Tech lets ACC students take courses through both schools, complete an internship, and graduate with a bachelor’s degree, ready to enter the classroom. Texas Pathways lets students take classes through both ACC and one of six partner schools, getting the benefits of

www.hispanicengineer.com

both and transitioning smoothly into a four-year college.

SBVC also has articulation agreements with several universities, with a designated articulation officer constantly making sure SBVC’s courses meet the same requirements and standards, creating a smooth transition for students.

“We also have an associate degree for transfer, called ADT,” Thayer said. “If our students complete an ADT and it’s articulated to a university like Cal State, they enter as a junior, so their first two years are validated. They do their 60plus units with us, get their associate degree for transfer, start as a junior and have two years remaining toward their baccalaureate degree.”

However, it’s not just the institutional connections that help get students into the jobs they want.

“We also have a very robust industry partnership base,” Martinez said.

“Being in Austin, the IT world is huge.

Our healthcare industry is also large, so we have a large connection there.

Industry partners are very important, and institutional partners are very

important.”

Many states also allow community colleges to offer certain four-year degrees. Texas joined the list in 2017, and ACC immediately seized the opportunity.

“We quickly went after nursing because it’s a local need, and it’s pretty much a need everywhere with the aging population, for bachelor’s degree-registered nurses,” Martinez said. “We have our inaugural class that started this past fall into the bachelor’s program—students who already, on our end, had gotten their associate’s through us and were registered nurses, but needed their bachelor’s degree.”

The school will see its first bachelor’s degree graduates this summer.

“People need to understand that you can begin here, and people aren’t going to ask you where you started—they’re going to ask where you finished,” Thayer said. “If you go on to get your doctorate, your medical degree, your law degree ... a lot of students begin at a community college, and it’s a great foundation to start on that educational journey.” HE

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JOB TOOLS

by Lango Deen ldeen@ccgmag.com

NOT TO BE MISSED: VIRTUAL CAREER FAIRS No suits, no crowds, all you need is your computer Career Communications Group held a successful Virtual Career Fair on March 20. Leading up to the event, a portal was set up to connect job seekers with hiring representatives before the start of the fall recruitment season to discuss summer and full-time opportunities in engineering or computer science.

C

areer Communications Group held a successful Virtual Career Fair on March 20. Leading up to the event, a portal was set up to connect job seekers with hiring representatives before the start of the fall recruitment season to discuss summer and full-time opportunities in engineering or computer science.

Employers and students were able to engage remotely via one-on-one web chat, make new connections, and broaden their networks from their home locations.

After logging in and joining the event, users were asked to upload their resumes. Next, they chose which employers to engage in a one-onone chat with a representative—like choosing which booth to visit in a physical career fair. Then, job seekers

26

were asked to provide highlights of their resume and career interests and ask questions about the company.

Following each interview, users could select additional employers to engage with until the virtual career fair was over.

Before all that, users had to create an account, complete the registration form, view information about participating organizations and opportunities, and then, log in and join the chat from any device.

At each virtual booth, representatives were on hand for one-on-one chats.

Exhibitors included Alion Science and Technology Corporation, which supports NASA as the space agency moves forward with new programs; Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., an aircraft manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters; and Exelon Corporation, which works in every stage of the energy business and employs approximately 33,400 people nationwide. There was also Black & Veatch, an engineering, procurement, consulting, and construction company; NASA; the U.S. Department of Energy; and Qualcomm technologies, whose engineers, scientists, and business strategists invent mobile technology breakthroughs.

The National Security Agency/ Central Security Service (NSA/CSS), which leads the U.S. government in cryptology that encompasses both signals intelligence (SIGINT) and cybersecurity products and services, was looking for computer scientists and engineers, as was Oak Ridge Laboratory, The MITRE Corporation, Gibbs and Cox, the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Diplomatic Security, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.

they could scroll through company booths above left to right, or top to bottom in the list to the left. They could also click on the picture in the booth to view more about each company.

Resources available included PDF documents on the top five careers at the NSA. At the virtual information desk, users could click for tech support.

Career Communications Group's JobMatch focuses on the promotion of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) opportunities to historically underrepresented groups.

With access to thousands of students in STEM fields, in some of the nation's most prestigious academic institutions, CCG's JobMatch helps fit diversity talent pipelines while dramatically shrinking college recruitment costs.

PARTICIPATION STATISTICS FOR BEYA VIRTUAL CAREER FAIR Total Registrations:

2488

Total Users that Logged In:

456

Total Number of Booth Visits:

3297

Unique Booth Visits:

2254

Once logged in, users found themselves in a virtual lobby where

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2019

www.hispanicengineer.com

JOB TOOLS

How does the CCG Virtual Career Fair work?

Virtual career fairs allow employers to create their booths with the help of project managers. Online assistance is available throughout the event.

Students are organized on campuses across the country to register for the career fair and upload their resumes.

Employers have access to the database of resumes before the live event and can schedule job seekers for interviews.

Job seekers logged into the virtual career fair at the scheduled time and date of one of the upcoming events get access to booths and online job search resources. Following the live event, access to the resume database will be available for 30 days.

What are the advantages of the CCG Virtual Career Fair?

Virtual career fairs allow STEM students, recruiters, and professionals to visit exhibits and have live one-onone interviews, with the tools to find the perfect candidates. Each recruiter can chat with up to four candidates at once. Also, organizations have a group chat room for candidates visiting virtual booths.

Screenshots of the Virtual Career Fair lobby (top), and exhibit hall (bottom)

If you couldn’t meet all your recruitment needs this past year, no worries—you now have more opportunities to attract thousands of students and professionals. Career Communications Group Inc. will be hosting virtual career fairs over the next year to supply you with the best STEM talent the nation has to offer.

www.hispanicengineer.com

What is a virtual career fair?

A virtual career fair is an online event where recruiters meet job seekers through chat rooms and teleconferencing. Job seekers can present resumes, meet employers, and conduct live interviews.

Why the CCG Virtual Career Fair makes sense CCG has a proven track record of being able to connect students and professionals with corporate and federal employers. We have placed tens of thousands of students and professionals in careers in the military, the federal government, education, and industry. HE

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2019

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Calling all employers Are you an employer looking for great ways to share your company's new job opportunities for an incredible career in STEM?

AD

Let us help you!

Post job openings Connect with qualified candidates Become a featured employer If you are ready, visit

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Career Communications Group, Inc. | 729 East Pratt St., Suite 504 | Baltimore, MD 21202 | (410) 244-7101 | www.ccgmag.com

BLUE-COLLAR

STEM

CAREER OUTLOOK

INSIDE BLUE-COLLAR STEM

> Redefining the STEM Industry

Health care and cybersecurity are just a few of the areas that provide career pathways for community college students. A few weeks after Labor Day in 2017, Dr. Victor McCrary, a member of the National Science Board (NSB), defined blue-collar jobs in STEM while speaking to a panel on blue-collar STEM. The

> Do you want a career in Blue-Collar STEM?

NSB, the governing board of the National Science Foundation, cares about the STEM workforce, he said. “This includes ‘blue-collar STEM’ workers, or what the National Academies have termed the ‘Skilled Technical Workforce.’”

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CAREER OUTLOOK

RE-DEFINING THE

STEM INDUSTRY BLUE-COLLAR STEM CAREERS ARE CHANGING THE WAY WE THINK ABOUT STEM

When you think about STEM careers, what occupations come to mind? Do you think of specially trained and hard-toget technical jobs, like a nuclear engineer or perhaps managerial positions within a STEM field?

While some careers in STEM command a four-year or graduate degree, over half of all STEM jobs are available to applicants without a traditional fouryear college degree. In addition to these fields, coding is a rapidly growing and well-paying career that is considered

by Wired to be the “next big blue-collar job.” Debunking the myth that coders need to be highly advanced, innovative designers, Wired describes a growing group of coders who manage and maintain websites, login portals, etc.

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Another large segment of blue-collar STEM jobs include occupations that require apprenticeships and learned technical skills that lead to higher earnings, like electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians. These valuable workers install, service, and maintain vital infrastructures from as large as state and citywide systems to individual businesses and homes. According to The Hidden STEM Economy, “installation, maintenance, and repair occupations constitute 12 percent of all STEM jobs, one of the largest occupational categories.”

According to The Hidden STEM Economy, education-adjusted wage premiums for blue-collar STEM jobs are on average 10 percent greater than their non-STEM counterparts for an average salary of $53,000. In some regions of the country, these average wages are 50

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percent higher than non-STEM wages.

Another point to consider is that graduates of apprenticeship programs (more common in STEM fields) earn an average of $250,000 more in lifetime earnings, according to Harvard Business Review. More specific to several industries, electricians and plumbers earn an average of around $57,000, while HVAC technicians earned an average of $50,000. IT employees such as web developers and computer programmers earned an average of $87,500, far above the national average salary of all jobs, which is $47,000.

These higher-than-average salaries are even more appealing considering that obtaining a bachelor’s degree only raises the average U.S. salary to $70,000, but potentially carries the burden of student loans and fewer years of earnings while in school.

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INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

by Alfred Lewis editors@ccgmag.com

An overall trend influencing blue-collar STEM is the national discussion on the need to replenish the pipeline of skilled technical workers to the economy by training future blue-collar STEM workers.

This renewed focus is attempting to reverse the trend that David Stern of U.C. Berkeley identifies, “…the noncollege track is gradually disappearing from American high schools.” From national policies to National Science Foundation programs, there are highlevel discussions on how to best fill these necessary jobs with high school graduates and those seeking training other than a traditional four-year degree. Blue-collar STEM jobs are more widespread geographically than highereducation STEM occupations, which tend to be focused more in metropolitan areas. This is good news for students spread out across the nation searching

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for a higher-paying job than average.

Articulating this trend further, Alicia Sasser Modestino states, “Within these major occupation groupings, critical vacancies exist in detailed occupations that primarily employ middle-skill workers. For example, within the healthcare practitioner and technical occupation group, critical vacancies exist in detailed occupations such as medical and clinical laboratory technicians, surgical technologists, licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, and medical records and health information technicians—jobs that employ a high share of workers with only some college or an associate’s degree.”

This shortage of workers for higherthan-average paying STEM careers is good news for job seekers and students alike—the time to think ahead for technical training is now!

Blue-collar STEM careers will continue to grow and flourish as the overall trend of STEM career growth continues.

However, it is unknown yet how national policies and programs will affect the general trend of shrinking apprenticeship programs and a greater focus on preparing students for college rather than a career and technical education.

Coupled with this trend, historically, job skills have been shifting from incremental skills that are learned on the job to more advanced technical skills, according to Harvard Business Review.

This trend has caused many regional areas to start training and apprenticeship program partnerships, such as the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership, a network of unions, companies, and educational institutions that provides technical and general skills training programs. HE

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CAREER OUTLOOK

by Alfred Lewis editors@ccgmag.com

HIGH PAY WITHOUT A FOUR-YEAR DEGREE? CONSIDER A BLUE-COLLAR STEM CAREER

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HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2019

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JOB HORIZON

The future is bright for bluecollar STEM occupations.

Blue-collar STEM careers are defined as those requiring technical skills, problem solving, and specialized training that is more than a high school diploma, but less than a traditional four-year degree. These types of jobs cut across many industries, such as IT, computer science, engineering, energy, and many more. These jobs range from staff who install, maintain, and service systems in homes and businesses to programmers who develop and maintain landing pages, login portals, servers, and databases.

These jobs are also spread out across the United States in larger swaths than higher-education STEM careers, which tend to be more centrally located within specific metropolitan areas. The Hidden STEM Economy states, “sub-bachelor’s STEM jobs are prevalent in every large metropolitan area.” Specifically, the metropolitan areas of San Jose, CA and Washington, D.C. were noted to have the most STEM-based economies, while Baton Rouge, LA; Birmingham, AL; and Wichita, KS have the greatest share of STEM jobs that do not require four-year degrees. These broad options for employment and more widely distributed locations offer job seekers and students a lot of options for future employment.

As mentioned earlier, blue-collar STEM

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careers cut across many industries.

Education Week compiled and analyzed salary data, demands for hiring, and training needs for STEM careers and determined that the following blue-collar STEM jobs are most in-demand: wind turbine service technician, industrial machinery mechanic, automotive service technician, health technologist, home healthcare aid, and computer user support specialist. These careers are projected to increase in demand by double digits—in some cases, 40 percent or higher. In the case of wind turbine service technicians, employment is expected to increase dramatically—96 percent over the next seven years!

Additional employment opportunities exist in the IT industry, with coding being called the “next big blue-collar job” by Wired. Another industry with a wide range of blue-collar STEM opportunities is manufacturing. From the government to private industry, employers need skilled mechanics, service technicians, and operators for manufacturing machinery and systems.

When it comes to seeking a blue-collar STEM job, there are two optimal ways to prepare yourself to increase your appeal to potential employers—apprenticeships and internships. In an internship, one learns and works for an employer, sometimes for low pay or free. By doing so, the job seeker learns valuable skills and makes connections to the employer.

An internship is a more common program, but one that has no guarantee of employment after it ends. On the other hand, apprenticeships are less common in the U.S., although they are more commonly used for technical jobs such as STEM fields. Apprenticeships are longer-term, pay more, and guarantee a job with the employer/sponsor. These benefits of an apprenticeship make them highly competitive and desirable for candidates. The Department of Defense and Army Educational Outreach Program offer several STEM programs that offer technical training, comprehensive trade curricula, and support to talented high school graduates and adults. Private sector employers offer apprenticeship programs to help reverse the growing shortage of STEM employment

candidates, such as Corning’s technical pipeline program. Corning’s program has a 100 percent retention rate! The nonprofit group LaunchCode partners with universities and employers to provide education, training, and connections that serve underrepresented communities.

From the government to private industry, employers need skilled mechanics, service technicians, and operators for manufacturing machinery and systems.

According to accomplished electrical engineer Nicholas Lampe, job seekers should develop their skills in problem solving. He notes that job candidates should “have a questioning attitude.

Look for conditions and situations that are out of the ordinary and investigate until you resolve the issue. Employers are looking for candidates like that in today’s market.” In the course of an internship or apprenticeship, seek out situations as described above and network with more experienced peers to seek their counsel.

Ask them about the common problems, issues, successes, and trends that they’ve seen in their specific industry and job role. You’ll find that people are always willing to help and provide support.

Making these genuine connections will better prepare you for a career and help you achieve success.

Students, graduates, and job seekers should be encouraged by these overall trends and employment options.

Seek out local or regional networks for STEM job training and general job skill attainment. Use reliable, trusted sources for training and work diligently to improving yourself. You may find that well-paying technical jobs are more accessible than you previously thought.

HE

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