Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers makes connections, builds relationships at annual convention

This year, ECE helped sponsor the Michigan chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), sending several students to the National Convention in Phoenix, Arizona. This convention serves as the country’s largest gathering of Hispanic STEM students and professionals and offers a unique opportunity to engage, support, educate and advance the careers of Hispanic students and professionals.

“The connections made here and throughout the conference will serve our members and our chapter very well moving forward and will allow us to be a much more capable organization on campus,” said Nancy Hernandez, Electrical Engineering undergrad and U-M SHPE President.

Students attended workshops focusing on the role of interns and new-grads in various industries, how Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) drive diversity in large companies, and what industry leading companies – such as The Boeing Company – are doing to advance technology.

Students also benefited from opportunities to speak to companies at the career fair. Many received interviews and offers from various companies in a variety of industries, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, L’Oreal, and John Deer.

In addition, students were able to build lasting connections within their chapter, their region (SHPE Region 6), as well as members and chapters all across the country. This included a group meeting involving every school in Region 6 where members got to listen and take part in a variety of empowering speeches and chants.

“These experiences would not have been possible for our members without ECE’s generous support,” expressed the entire SHPE Executive Board when they returned from the convention.