Raytheon Sponsors 2012-2013 San Diego Region Joint Planning Conference for Engineering and Science Chapters

STEM pathways

Raytheon Company, along with the San Diego Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) Alliance staff, hosted a unique event that brought student leaders and professionals together to network, collaborate and exchange ideas for improving math and science education. Their goal is to increase the number of students to pursue academic and career paths in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) industries, increase retention in these disciplines and promote opportunities in post graduate studies.

“Hosting the MESA Joint Planning Conference is a benefit to Raytheon because Raytheon believes in diversity in our workplace. Our Employee Resource Group/Employee Network Group (ERG/ENG) are eager to support our community and STEM activities,” said Marie R. Ang, Software Engineer for Raytheon.

Joint planning

The 2012-2013 San Diego Region Joint Planning Conference for Engineering and Science Chapters took place on Friday, August 3, 2012, from 8:00 am to 4:15 pm, at Raytheon Company in San Diego, California.

Approximately 40 student leaders attended, including professionals from various industries and student leaders from University of California San Diego, San Diego State University, San Diego City College and Southwestern College.

The following student and professional organizations were represented:

American Medical Student Organization (AMSA)
Black Student Science Organization (BSSO)
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE – San Diego Professional Chapter)
Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Sciences (SACNAS)
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE – San Diego Professional Chapter)
Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists (MAES)
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
Society of Women Engineers (SWE – San Diego Professional Chapter)

“Being a new organization on campus, the most beneficial aspect of the JPC was being introduced to all the different engineering clubs on campus,” Emily Escalante, San Diego State University MAES Co-President, said. “The planning sessions served as an orientation to the typical events held by engineering and science organizations, as well as an opportunity to get to know SWE, NSBE, and SHPE students and professional chapters in the San Diego area. I would consider attending the conference in the future, and recommend it other engineering organizations looking to collaborate.”

Networking opportunities

Raytheon Company’s Mission Center Executive Randy Brandenburg welcomed attendees and Human Resources Talent Acquisition Vikki Wright provided an overview of the company and its opportunities. In ‘Diversity Theatre,’ Raytheon Company and San Diego MESA Alliance staff played the roles of student organization members and addressed issues of ethics, jealousy, diversity, inclusion, and authority.

Download ‘Diversity Theatre’ script (2012 version)

The conference culminated in leaders and industry professionals collaborating to improve chapter effectiveness and communication between stakeholders and to promote leadership development and a social/industry/professional networking experience. A former student leader alumni panel fielded questions in the following topics: Empowering others; Responsibilities of officers; Balance school, Work, Position and life; Conflict resolution; and Using your adviser. The alumni panel consisted of:

Naomie Baptiste, Strategy Engineer at Solar Turbines, NSBE – San Diego Professional Chapter Co-Chair
Susie Kirkland, System Test & Qualification Engineer at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, SWE – San Diego Professional Chapter Director of Collegiate Outreach
Delnita Moore, Biology Masters program at SDSU, former Black Student Science Organization President
Michael Nguyen, Software Test Engineer at Covidien, former Pacific Asian Society of Engineers President
Brian Ware, Project Manager at Select Electric Inc., NSBE – San Diego Professional Chapter Pre-College Initiative Director

About Raytheon

Raytheon Company, with 2011 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 90 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 71,000 people worldwide. For more about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter @raytheon.

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Event photo gallery