I entered STEM knowing that I would be working as a minority in the field. I was prepared for it. Nonetheless, when I stumbled upon an organization called the National Society of Black Engineers, it became obvious that my professional journey would be so much easier if I had access to support from those who understood my situation.
My experience with the organization would begin in college and extend through the early stages of my professional life, and continues to this day, thanks to my equally supportive employer, ASML.
What is NSBE, and what does it do?
The National Society of Black Engineers, or NSBE, was set up to “increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.”
The ultimate goal of NSBE is to create a global network of Black (and minority) STEM individuals who embody its mission. NSBE supports and promotes the aspirations of collegiate students and technical professionals in the STEM fields, either for graduate degrees or for career development. It also has a pre-collegiate initiative to help high school students prepare and get accepted to university for STEM-related studies. The organization is governed by an executive board of college students and engineering professionals who are elected annually at the National Conference.
NSBE offers leadership training and mentoring services, and a wealth of opportunities in career placement, professional development and community service. NSBE helps to facilitate and run two career fairs through its local and regional chapter organizations, usually at universities. It also runs a national career fair once a year for undergraduates, graduates and professionals. These fairs include internship and co-op opportunities, undergraduate and graduate college recruiting, and job opportunities offered by engineering and technology companies.
This blog and image originally appeared on LinkedIn. Click here to read the full blog.
