Students Walk Away With Job Offers at NSBE Convention

Pictured from left: NYIT students Teylor Harris and Jenni Fonkwa at the National Society of Black Engineers 45th Annual Convention.

Electrical and computer engineering technology major and president of the NYIT-New York City chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Teylor Harris reflects on her experience at the NSBE 45th Annual Convention in Detroit, Mich., a trip sponsored by NYIT College of Engineering and Computing Sciences and the Student Government Association.

Twenty-three student members of the NYIT-New York City and NYIT-Long Island chapters of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) attended the organization’s 45th annual convention in Detroit, Mich., from March 26 through 31. We were accompanied by Vanessa Newman, director of STEM afternoon programs in International and Experiential Education, and James Finbarr Kelleher IV, laboratory/machine shop technician in NYIT College of Engineering and Computing Sciences

Students had the opportunity to network with representatives from tech companies such as Facebook and Microsoft, and some received full-time job offers and summer internships. Kehinde Williams accepted a machine integration and calibration internship position at Cummins, Brilendra Panta accepted an offer from Zebra Technology, and I was offered an internship position with the Capital One Technology Program.

Student members of NYIT’s New York City and Long Island chapters of NSBE.

When students weren’t networking, they competed in the Boeing Flight Competition. They were tasked with creating a glider out of a 3”x36” piece of balsa wood. The glider could be cut into any configuration, as long as it was made from the balsa wood. Team NYIT Techmongers—Hashim Gray, Amoako Darkwa, Leasean McDonald, and Howard Millien—placed second in distance, first in design and presentation, and won the Overall Award. Team NYIT Raptors—Joel Lopez, Chris Almeida, Yusuf Bishi, and Lynnd Nkodia—placed first in distance and third in design and presentation.

Students also met with former NYIT-New York City NSBE chapter president Scott Paillant (B.S. ’17) who was at the NSBE Career Fair recruiting for Snapchat. Paillant spoke to the group about his transition from New York to Los Angeles and his experience working at one of the most popular social media companies. The group also connected with Will Udoh (M.S. ’16), an EE design and analysis engineer at Boeing.

In addition to the networking opportunities available, there was a variety of workshops and keynote addresses offered.

“This year’s NSBE convention is one to remember,” said energy management student Candace McCoy. “There were many great workshops and conference events. I had the opportunity to network and make connections with many different professionals within my field. Overall, attending the NSBE convention was a great experience and has helped me grow as a professional,”

Learn more about the National Society of Black Engineers.