This semester 19 Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) members from Ventura College will be attending the National SHPE conference in Washington, D.C.
The conference will take place October 28 through November 1 and will be attended by both professional and student members of SHPE. Workshops, tours, and career expos are available to students providing the opportunity to network with fellow engineers.
“During the day it’s professional,” said SHPE student president Daniel Arias. “In the evening the are social events to network.”
Professional engineers and major businesses, all members of SHPE, offer information to students regarding the field of engineering. As an aeronautical engineering major, Arias was glad to have the opportunity to speak with representatives of NASA at last year’s conference. The possibility of gaining an internship is also a benefit for students attending the conference.
Even without the internships and gaining social capital, there are other benefits for students attending the conference.
“It helps students answer, ‘as and engineer, what is my role and how do I fit?'” said SHPE advisor, Marcos Lupian.
Lupian thinks that SHPE members, on both the professional and student level, are extremely committed. By working together at the Ventura College SHPE meetings and at the conference, students become involved at a higher level.
“They are extremely prepared and very competitive,” said Lupian.
For SHPE Vice President Luis Mejia, representing Ventura College is very important. Last year Mejia noticed an overwhelmingly greater number of universities than community colleges represented at the conference.
“Standing next to UCLA and UCSB, you have to show them you’re serious,” said Mejia.
The group ran into a small problem with funding for the trip. They held two car washes in an attempt to raise the $100 registration fee for each of the 19 members attending. Additional plans for fundraising are still being made. Many members may have to pay the total amount of $350 required for the trip out of their own pocket, depending on the success of their fundraising.
As Mejia put it, “Paying $350 isn’t that much. The experience is worth it.”
