Since 1975, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) has served underrepresented and multicultural students on the STEM track. Its presence on Iowa State’s campus provides professional development opportunities, educational sessions and connections with companies outside of the university.
“We try to hit all the stops when it comes to professional development,” Kobe Laws, a senior in civil engineering and vice president of the NSBE, said. “Outside of professional development, we also do academic workshops, a lot of volunteering around Ames and we also do some social events to have some fun here and there.”
Though the NSBE highlights Black engineers in its title, the organization said you do not have to be of a certain race or major to join. NSBE urges all STEM students to attend meetings and events, as they are a valuable opportunity to grow in professionalism and learn new things.
“Just because we are the National Society of Black Engineers does not mean we are restrictive of who comes to our meetings,” Akwasi Quarcoo, a junior in aerospace engineering and treasurer of the NSBE, said. “Everyone is welcome.”
The NSBE seeks to highlight the importance of finding a community on campus. Being a multicultural student in STEM can bring struggles, whether academic or community-based. The organization urges all students in need of community, academic help or even help improving their resumes to turn to the NSBE, as they have a plethora of resources tailored to these students.
“[I was looking for a club] that I feel comfortable at that allows me to flourish and build my skills in engineering and as a person,” Andrew Gooding, a senior in computer engineering and president of the NSBE, said. “I feel like NSBE was the best place for that… It was really just the community, the people that are like me that understand what I’m going through as an engineer and as a Black student on campus. It just felt like a safe place to be.”
Because the NSBE focuses so heavily on professional development, they have organized opportunities for prominent companies to speak at their meetings. On Sept. 26, HNI is scheduled to speak at their weekly meeting. Throughout October, Apple will be the guest at NSBE meetings.
The organization meets at 6 p.m. every Thursday in Carver Hall, room 0268.
“Going through the professional development can really help you,” Quarcoo said. “Having someone to mentor you and show you ‘this is how you’re supposed to act in a professional environment’ is another way that [the NSBE] has helped not only me, but a lot of our other members understand how to develop themselves professionally.”
NSBE provides students with the opportunity to attend conferences before they graduate to improve their skills and introduce them to the professional world. This year, those conferences are planned for both the fall and spring semesters, and any student interested in attending should contact Gooding at [email protected] for more information.
Students interested in learning more about the National Society of Black Engineers can visit their website, follow their Instagram page or attend one of their meetings.
