“See What You Can Be” Program Kicks Off with Event in Michigan

ASME recently presented the first of two fall “See What You Can Be” workshops, which are intended to provide high school girls of color with inspiration and career guidance from undergraduate engineering students and practicing engineering professionals. The first event was held Sept. 21 at Michigan State University in East Lansing, with a second scheduled to take place early next month in Washington, D.C.

Lack of role models, structured support and cultural affirmation in STEM fields can have a significant impact on female minority students’ interest in STEM, specifically engineering. The “See What You Can Be” events aim to address this problem with sessions designed to help high school students understand that careers in science, technology, engineering and math are viable career options for them. 

The new workshops, which were developed with a grant from the Lenovo Foundation, are day-long experiences focused on innovation and mentoring that are designed to engage high school girls with mechanical engineering through hands-on activities that explore the intersection of being a woman of color in the engineering profession.

Working in collaboration with the nonprofit STEM organization the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP), 17 high school students from the metropolitan area met with nine engineering undergraduates at MSU’s College of Engineering on Sept. 21 to discuss topics ranging from exploring academic pathways and preparing for college experiences to becoming acquainted with various job opportunities within STEM fields.

The students who participated reported finding the MSU workshop both thought-provoking and motivating. “It made me reconsider my options in the workforce,” wrote one student in an appraisal after the session, while another responded, “I felt inspired to do great things with my life and accomplish my dreams.” Another student noted that the workshop provided “perspectives … (and) useful advice that I can apply to my college life.” Other responses included, “They taught me things I didn’t know and engineering. This might be my new starting field.”

A second “See What You Can Be” workshop is planned for Nov. 2 at the University of the District of Columbia. In addition, based on the success of the initial Michigan State University workshop, ASME plans to host another event at MSU next April in conjunction with ASME E-Fest North.

ASME’s continued collaboration with LENOVO and the LENOVO Foundation allows the Society to offer attendance at the workshop free-of-charge to participating students. For more information about the “See What You Can Be” program, contact Patti Jo Rosenthal, Engineering Education, by email at rosenthalp@asme.org.

― Patti Jo Rosenthal, ASME Students and Career Development