The GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology (CET) has the goal of increasing opportunities for students in the fields of engineering, technology, and more. The department works with many programs and organizations in STEM, one of which is the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE).
NSBE was founded in 1975 as a place to support and promote aspiring Black engineers. Since it has been founded, it has grown into a worldwide organization even finding a home at Eastern Michigan University. EMU's NSBE organization wants to continue this success by making an impact in Ypsilanti.
Usually, the organization hosts career-building workshops or game nights where they can connect, such as their last meeting where they collaborated with the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) in a Family Feud game night. This was the first time the two groups collaborated.
Read more: Club Spotlight: Society of Women Engineers is engineering a brighter future at EMU
Current freshman and member Mussa Geyre was adamant about having the minority groups on campus work together.
"Its so important to have us and groups like SWE because being a minority it is harder to connect. Like in my classroom, there are only three minorities," Geyre said. "Having these groups bring us together and allow us to grow."
Recently with the help of CET some of the members were able to attend the NSBE national conference for the first time. Hosted in St. Louis, Missouri, the conference featured collegiate organizations from across the country, in addition to guest speakers, job fairs, and more.
Kevan Pack, the current president of NSBE at EMU, saw this trip as a great opportunity for all members involved.
"The experience at the NSBE conference was very eye opening I was able to see all the companies I can work for and that were accessible to me. I was able to network with all types of people that I wouldn't be able to if i wasn't in NSBE in the first place," said Pack.
Other members like Geyre were also inspired by what they witnessed in Missouri.
"Academically, it pushes me to grind more. After going to the NSBE conference I can tell there are people like us that are pushing themselves to be the best person possible. It makes me realize I can't be lacking and I have to push myself," Geyre said.
Now, after the knowledge and experience from the conference and the school year, NSBE is planning on bigger and better things.
"We plan to go to the next conference in Orlando, Florida, and bring more members than just five. We want to collaborate with more companies and we plan to have more workshops on resumes, LinkedIn, cover letters, and more. Just making NSBE a safe space for minorities to succeed in the engineering program and graduate." Pack said. "NSBE is like a brotherhood everyone in NSBE will feel the camaraderie."
Those interested in joining NSBE can learn more through their Discord or Instagram.
