We are thrilled to celebrate two of our TRIO STEM Scholars, Ari Reyes and Joseph Mondragon, who recently represented TRIO STEM Scholars and Boise State University at the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) 2024 National Convention in Anaheim, California! Both students embraced this exciting opportunity, which offered a full spectrum of events to connect with leading industry professionals and graduate programs from across the nation.
Ari, an electrical engineering student, gained invaluable experience engaging with recruiters, exploring cutting-edge technology, and learning how to navigate the professional landscape. He found the convention immensely beneficial, especially the chance to attend TechTalks hosted by companies like Waymo, where he learned about the rapidly advancing field of autonomous vehicles and their impact on society. “It was incredible to see how technology is changing the world in real-time,” Ari shared. Ari spent each day connecting with companies at the career fair, refining his networking and communication skills. He faced the intensity of long lines at hospitality suites, waited hours to meet company representatives, and even completed multiple interviews. Through these challenges, he found himself growing as a candidate and future professional. “These interviews were my first technical experiences as an engineer,” he reflected. “I realized that with practice, I can become more confident in my abilities.” Ari’s takeaways include a newfound understanding of where he stands in the field and what he’ll continue to work on as he moves forward with his career aspirations.
Joseph, a civil engineering major, focused his time at the convention on connecting with graduate programs, including prestigious schools like Stanford, UC Berkeley, and Carnegie Mellon. This experience was essential for his goals of applying to graduate school, and he found it invaluable to learn about funding opportunities and make personal connections with faculty. A highlight was receiving expert feedback on his NSF GRFP statement of purpose from a Duke University professor, who helped him clarify his research goals to make his application even stronger. Joseph also attended the career fair, where he spoke with the vice provost of Carnegie Mellon, who encouraged him to apply for a unique fellowship designed for students with leadership experience. “Meeting the people from my top-choice programs gave me insight into the campus culture, academic environment, and even the living situation at each university,” Joseph noted. “I now feel more prepared and confident about my grad school applications and future research path.”
Both Ari and Joseph returned from Anaheim with new skills, connections, and a clearer sense of their professional and academic futures. The TRIO STEM Scholars Program encourages all our students who are interested in conferences like these to reach out to our team. Whether your goals involve career development, networking, or exploring graduate school opportunities, conferences like the SHPE convention can provide a pathway to your aspirations!
