Leslie Hamilton
Each year, we celebrate the contributions that engineers make to society. Admittedly, this is the first time I have heard of such a celebration, but I will continue to act otherwise. Naturally, S&T celebrates this unique celebration given its hand in producing a relatively large quality engineers, out of our entire student population. Per S&T’s website, the S&T campus uses this time to “celebrate the return on another S&T tradition” and in conjunction “of a national effort to celebrate how engineers make a difference in the world, increase public dialogue about the need for engineers and most importantly, to bring engineering to life.”
Ironically enough, S&T’s website identifies the career fair and career fair preparation as events encompassing and celebrating National Engineers Week, which is from February 18th to February 24th. Not to be critical of the university, but going to the career fair is the last way I want to celebrate ingenuity/innovation and other qualities that encompass the engineering attitude. Talking to recruiters in the pursuit of obtaining a full-time or internship offer is more of a celebration of anxiety ridden conversations. Not to mention that the identification of this being associated with National Engineers Week, austricizies those other non-engineering majors, whether STEM-related or not, in their journey to employment. I think more special events, that encourage innovation or stress release, and fun-freebies on campus, such as coffee or snacks, would better celebrate and encourage our continual academic pursuit. You do have to graduate and pass your classes to do so anyway. Jobs and internships are fun, but ultimately not the backbone of engineering, to which I would say is research which is then implemented in industry.
Thankfully the career fair and preparation are not the only thing that S&T identifies as a means to celebrate engineers. On Thursday, February 22nd, there will be a luncheon. It will serve as a lunch and learn environment, wherein students can learn about research and other relevant information from guest speakers. Lunch is free to the first 80 students in attendance and will all have the opportunity to listen to guest speakers from various STEM disciplines; such as Dr. Dan Lin from computer science, Dr. Bill Fahrenholtz from materials science and engineering, Dr. Doug Bristow from mechanical and aerospace engineering, and Dr. Dimitri Feys from civil, architectural and environmental engineering. This luncheon will be from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM in the Missouri-Ozark Room in Havener. As said before, this event is limited to 80 students, so reserve your spot while you can on the S&T website.
To end National Engineers Week, S&T will hold a more hands-on engineering experience in celebration called Spotlight on Engineering. Spotlight on Engineering will be held on Friday, February 23rd, in Gale Bullman Recreational Center from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. At this event, you will have the opportunity to see and experience various demos, exhibits, and first hand activities. Spotlight on Engineering is hosted/sponsored not only by the university, but more specifically, local (university) chapters of NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers), IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers), and ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers).
Celebrate our school, alumni, and students in celebrating National Engineers Week.
