U of T's chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers' (NSBE) President Iyipoe Jibodu and Administrative Director Evelyn Mukwedeya discuss the importance of student involvement

1. Why is it beneficial/important for people to be engaged early in life (i.e. as students)?

Iyiope: Most students tend to think about student leadership roles as they approach their third and fourth years as they would like to add to their resumes. However, not only are their intentions slightly misguided, but the true leadership potential cannot be completely realized and usually leave their organizations with unaccomplished tasks and a wish to go further. It is therefore important for people to get engaged early in life, as it provides an avenue for one to not only gain valuable skills, but provides an opportunity for self-leadership.

Self-leadership is developed as you learn about yourself including strengths, weaknesses and areas of interest while identifying a circle that you can exert influence and develop your leadership potential. Leadership potential is developed through learning and as such the engagements that we are involved in as students provide these learning experiences. Experience is related to time, therefore, the earlier that experience starts, the more expansive and comprehensive it can be.

Evelyn: Our mission is "to increase the number of culturally responsible Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community." As such, our programs and events are geared towards getting young people in high schools and universities excited about the vast opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). In doing so, we help students recognize their potential to make significant contributions to their communities as STEM professionals.

2. How can this be applied in “real life” (i.e. outside school)?

Iyiope: Employers constantly seek leaders in the workplace as leaders provide a certain skill set that sets them apart from all other employees in the workplace. Aside from the workplace, leadership skills are widely applicable in families, relationships, community, and basically all works of life.

I would like to highlight three applicable leadership skills. The first is the ability to think completely and critically, which is essential to making decisions. The second is self-motivation and the ability to motivate other people to accomplish a task is valuable in the workplace as one strives to attain set goals and targets. The last skill is the ability to set a vision and align other people to this set vision. This last skill is essential to conflict resolution, attaining targets, leading a team that possess a variety of backgrounds towards a positive. Skills like this are invaluable to companies as teamwork is a focal point in most organizations. These organizations therefore look for leaders to fit their model and as such student leaders with a wealth of experience are highly valued in the real world.

3. Best thing about your club OR what makes your club unique?

Ipiope: NSBE is a very unique organization and this is because of its mission. The mission is to increase the number of culturally responsible, black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community. The facets (cultural responsibility, academic excellence, professional and community-based) that are covered in this mission statement make NSBE very rare. Our organization is also not limited to Engineers or people identified as black, but as we note, we were started by black Engineers but are sustained by positive people aligned towards a vision. A vision, I believe can change the world, impact people’s lives, and motivate people to develop and provides an environment through which people can make a true impact on society.

NSBE has a 35-year history, in which it has grown from a local six-member organization in the U.S., to the largest student-run organization in the world with over 30,000 members spanning the entire globe. The large organization is run by students and comprised of student members all aligned under the same mission statement.

Evelyn: As a whole, the NSBE is one of the world’s largest student-run organizations, which is a remarkable achievement in itself. Despite what the organization's name may suggest, our chapter is open to all students regardless of ethnicity, race or program of study - all positive people are welcome! NSBE U of T members often assume leadership roles by either running their own events or even shadowing our Chapter Executive Board members. All of our members benefit from "NSBE Love" - the sense of strong community spirit among our members through midterm seasons, tough courses, etc.

4. What do members gain/take-away. What do they bring?

Iyiope: I believe the NSBE Engineer is a different breed of Engineer. NSBE develops leaders! NSBE members are developed to be well-rounded Engineers with sophisticated communication skills, a wealth of professional experiences attained through leadership opportunities, conferences and workshops, a self-motivated individual who strives to succeed academically, and a culturally-responsible individual who has a sense of community and strives to develop other members of the community.

NSBE members are also exposed to a diverse group of individuals from all around the world through the National Conference, which brings together all NSBE members from Africa, Europe, Caribbean and North America. The National Conference is going International in 2010, and will be held in Toronto, from March 31st – April 4th.

NSBE members on the other hand bring their minds and genius to the organization. They also bring a willingness to learn and a wealth of diversity to the organization. The diversity is not based on just the different nationalities that make up our membership, but they bring a diversity of thought to the organization. The diversity of thought is the basis through which we evolve yearly as an organization. The organization in itself is completely student run and the students set the directives and accomplish all tasks in order to benefit other students.

Evelyn: NSBE U of T members run several successful programs including:

• the Annual High School Conference (which attracted 100 students and teachers from across the GTA this year)
• an undergraduate tutoring program
• a technology training program at a local community centre

The NSBE National Convention is the highlight of the year and is opportunity for NSBE members from all over the world to take part in a variety of professional development workshops and design competitions. Through all of NSBE's activities, members not only give back to the community and raise awareness of STEM fields in young people, but gain valuable leadership experience and networking connections.

5. How can participation in NSBE help one’s career?

Iyiope: NSBE Alumni are often testament to how they referred to their NSBE experiences during interviews, how they developed their resume writing skills in workshops, how they developed their networks at NSBE conferences, and jobs that they got at career fairs. NSBE members have also testified to how the organization has motivated them to succeed academically, which has helped them obtain the GPA scores that has made them more attractive to companies.

Aside from academic achievements, the NSBE board positions offer an extensive leadership experience that is unrivalled. NSBE leaders manage initiatives such as our annual High School Conference with over 200 members in attendance, fundraising activities that involve multinational organizations, and community initiatives. These experiences help to make students stand out and boost one’s career prospective as NSBE provides skills that are sought by employers.

NSBE members are special. This is based on the experiences that they are exposed to as members as well as other members they come into contact with. NSBE members are driven to succeed. The successful mentality is a motivation for new members.

Evelyn: We measure the success of our chapter by the success of our members. Our chapter is celebrating its 10th year anniversary this year. Looking back over the years, many of our Alumni members have gone on to achieve great things after graduation, including starting successful businesses, becoming faculty at Engineering institutions and working in government.

As such, NSBE is a great place to meet successful professionals and potential mentors. We actively keep members informed of internship and full-time employment opportunities provided by our strategic partners. The career fair at the National Convention is always an excellent opportunity for members to interact with Fortune 500 companies. Last but not least, our member's frequent exposure to leadership roles in the organization often makes them stand out from other candidate in job interviews.

6. Anything you’d like to add?

Iyiope: Having qualified people to fill a diverse workplace that reflects the community is rapidly becoming a larger mandate that companies must acknowledge. Here at the NSBE, we are helping companies do just that. We are providing opportunity and professional growth to the individuals that will ensure the continuing success of your company while deepening diversity in your workplace. Our mission is to “increase the number of culturally responsible black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.”

We are committed to the recruitment, retention, and graduation of minorities in Engineering, technology, and applied/physical sciences. As a supporter and member of NSBE, you will be able to place a lasting footprint on the foundation of one of this city’s greatest assets, our youth. Our recruitment efforts have been extended to include high schools and we are involved with 10 high schools and youth organizations around Toronto. These high schools get to share the entire NSBE experience and leave the mission of NSBE. We organize leadership and technical events for younger students and also as University students, we serve as role models to these students. As role models we show these students that they can also achieve success in programs such as engineering. Most students are unaware that NSBE exists and we are here to

Evelyn: Next year, the fair city of Toronto will have the honour and privilege of hosting the NSBE National Convention. This is the first time that the convention will be held outside of the United States. It will be exciting to have hundreds of Engineering professionals from around the world in Toronto.

For more info on the National Society of Black Engineers, please visit their website.

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