By Anthony Howard
THEE Aristocrats STEM and Health Sciences Program at Jackson State University provided 40 students with the opportunity to attend the 38th Black Engineer of the Year Award Conference in Baltimore. The three-day conference was held February 15-17, exposing students to thousands of engineering professionals.
“Our organization does its best to help students as they matriculate at Jackson State and into the workforce,” said Noel Gardner, Ph.D., director of THEE Aristocrats STEM and Health Sciences Program. “It’s important that they attend these conferences to network with different industries and professionals in the industry.”
Gardner said the BEYA conference is an opportunity for students to gain valuable information beyond the classroom. The students can learn about industry needs and developments and understand what it’s like working in their prospective careers.
The BEYA STEM Conference annually brings professionals and students from around the country together to network and learn. Leaders in STEM are also recognized for their accomplishments.
This year, JSU alumna Wanda Gilmore, a 1987 graduate, received the Black Engineer of the Year Award for Science Spectrum Trailblazer.
Engineering students who’ve attended the conference in the past partook in onsite interviews for jobs and internships. Some went on to gain real-world experiences to complement the practical skills they acquired in the classroom.
“The first time I attended the conference was one of the best experiences of my life because of the mass amounts of people I got to know, networking opportunities, and the companies I got to see,” recalled Jordan Collins, a sophomore electrical engineering student. “This time, I hope to get internship opportunities and get my foot in the door with companies like Raytheon and Boeing.”
McCollins, a member of THEE Aristocrats and the Delta Phi chapter president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, encourages first-time conference-goers like JSU civil engineering student Delmoney Robinson to take advantage of this experience.
“I’ve heard from my peers that this conference is a way to gain a lot of experience and learn what employers have to offer,” said Robinson, a senior. “I enjoyed learning about different career paths outside of civil engineering.”
The BEYA STEM Conference recognizes the achievements of those at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation. It celebrates trailblazers and their achievements and the importance of recognizing and supporting the minds of engineers.
