NSBE Magazine - Fall 2011 - (Page 8)

From the ExecutiveDirector Achievement Finds an Ally By Ane Joan Muvadgah, Guest Writer rowing up in Cameroon, I was taught that hard work led to achievement and achievement brought rewards. In the U.S., my experiences have sometimes challenged those truths. But in the end, they have prevailed, thanks in large part to NSBE. Math and physics were my strong suits in high school, so I decided to pursue a career in engineering. I applied to universities abroad, received a scholarship and decided to attend the University of Central Oklahoma, where I am now a junior majoring in engineering physics-mechanical systems, with a minor in mathematics. In the summer of 2010, I was looking to join an organization that had the retention of minorities in science and engineering as one of its major objectives. I was already a Pioneer Member of the Society of Women Engineers chapter at my school, but I wanted to reach out beyond that. I was introduced to NSBE by an engineering student from another G NsBe member ane Joan Muvadgah (right) with “Brother e.D.,” NsBe executive Director carl B. Mack, at NsBe World Headquarters in august “I have learned that NSBE looks out for each one of its members — international as well as others.” university that had a NSBE chapter. I joined NSBE in July 2010 as an at-large Region V member and petitioned to start a NSBE chapter at my university in January 2011. This past March, I was excited to attend the NSBE Annual Convention for the first time. I participated in the NSBE Spoken Word event and the Technical Research Exhibition. The Career Fair, which is one of the convention’s highlights, offered attendees the opportunity to get internships or jobs with Fortune 500 companies and other employers. My interests were in the energy, aerospace, automotive and manufacturing companies. On the first day of the Career Fair, I set out 8• nsbe magazine • fall 2011 with my portfolio containing my resume and a list of the companies I wanted to speak to. By the end of the second day, I had spoken to Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Eaton, BP, HewlettPackard, Raytheon, Toyota, Caterpillar, United Technologies, Lockheed Martin, Goldman Sachs, BAE, Cummins and a few others, but had still landed no internship. They had all looked at my resume and said it was great but that they could not offer me an internship because I was an international student, and their interns were potential hires. My resume included a 4.0 cumulative GPA after seven semesters; bilingualism; extracurricular activities, including membership in several organizations, leadership positions, community and other volunteer service, and job experience in school, but I could not get an internship with these companies because I was an international student. At the end of the Career Fair, I was disappointed and felt that all of my hard work in school had come to nothing. After my two-day internship search, I decided to present my case to NSBE’s executive director, Dr. Carl Mack. He listened patiently to my story and then said, “I got you. Ane, Brother E.D.’s got you.” After the convention, he followed up. He told me he knew some companies that had internship opportunities for international students. When I told him I was interested in the energy industry, he said, “I know just the right company for you to work for. JCI (Johnson Controls, Inc.) is looking for interns, even international students.” Dr. Mack sent them my resume and transcript, and a few weeks later, I got a call from JCI with a summer internship offer. I had a great experience with JCI and am seeking another internship with the company next summer. I have learned that NSBE looks out for each one of its members — international as well as others. NSBE gave me the opportunity to start my career as an engineer. ■ NSBE member Ane Joan Muvadgah is an international student at the University of Central Oklahoma. www.nsbe.org http://www.nsbe.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NSBE Magazine - Fall 2011

NSBE Magazine - Fall 2011
Contents
The Next Level
Achievement Finds an Ally
Leadership, Your Way
The Programs Zone
Dr. Philicity Williams of the National Security Agency
Chapter News
Membership News
International News
NSBE Advisor Makes History
Pack Out Pittsburgh!
Empowered by Vision
Top Officers
St. Lucian Students Thrive at IIT
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
SEEKing Excitement for STEM
What’s New?
NSBE Calendar
The Professional’s Perspective
Shifting to Renewables for Electric Power
Alumni Officers
The Japan Effect
AE Members on the Move
Golden Torch Honoree
‘Brother Founder’ Donates $100K to NSBE
XL’ent!
Building Successful AE Chapters
Advertisers Index

NSBE Magazine - Fall 2011