A joint study by the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and the Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC) reported that Hispanics earning Technology- and Engineering-related bachelor’s degrees in America rose from 11.4% in 2018 to 13.6% in 2021, while also noting that a whopping 10.9 million total job openings will be available in those fields by 2031. Further, the Pew Research Center found that the number of Hispanic students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in STEM fields rose from 8% in 2010 to 12% in 2018.
SHPE, a society of students and professionals in STEM fields with a purpose of empowering Hispanic and Latinx individuals, is a group whose mission is in part to alleviate that shortfall in those current and future job openings. Founded in 1974 by several engineers employed by the city of Los Angeles, the club focuses on community engagement, leadership and professional development, and educational opportunities.
Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) member institution, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has an active student chapter of SHPE organization, the society of Latinx Engineers and Scientists (SOLES). SOLES is housed in UCLA’s school of Engineering and Applied Sciences. As a winner of the 2022 SHPE regional and national chapter awards, SOLES prioritizes a commitment to the core value of SHPE including Familia, Service, Education, and Resilience (for more information about the UCLA/Purdue relationship, go here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CgmIYWaunPz/).
SHPE has grown and advanced westward across the country over the past decades. BTAA Michigan State University (MSU), for instance, won the SOLES 2018 and 2017 National Blue Chip Awards, and MSU student Leah Flores-Cabrera won the SHPE undergraduate STAR award for Role Model of the year at the 2023 SHPE national conference. SHPE’s Region 6 comprises not only MSU but also much of the Midwest. and as such the traditional Big Ten universities, including BTAA member Northwestern University, winner of the 2023 SHPE Gold Chapter Award, earned annually by just four SHPE university chapters across the country.
Two-term UCLA SHPE chapter president President Kelly Espino, who is earning her MS in Structural and Earthquake Engineering, first joined SHPE to gain a sense of community. She later attended several SHPE national conferences, landing jobs at both through various career and professional networking events, while also giving back by helping to plan for conference events and help at mock interviews. Upon graduation later in 2024, she plans to work for Burns and McDonnell Engineering firm, and noted that her leadership and other contributions to SHPE are “what differentiates a student from one another in a company search.”
SHPE is the perfect way to open up new connections and network opportunities, from SHPE Nationals (with hundreds of hiring companies) to networking events with professional chapters to local chapter events. Listening to the stories of people in industry is particularly beneficial, hearing what they experienced and learned to the day, and what different career paths they explored. I hope to pass my PE soon after graduation, learn and excel in my practice, all meanwhile involving myself in SHPE in the Professional and National Level. I hope to continue making an impact in the latinx and hispanic engineering communities.
-Kelly Espino (two-term UCLA SHPE chapter president)
SHPE BTAA member institutions are divided into the following regions:
Region 1- Oregon, Washington
Region 2- USC, UCLA
Region 3- Nebraska
Region 4- Rutgers, Maryland, Penn St.
Region 6- Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Purdue, Northwestern
The SHPE national conferences serve as vital platforms for networking, skill development, and career advancement, bringing together professionals, students from STEM fields, educators, and corporate partners. Through keynote speakers, workshops, student leadership competitions, panel discussions, and career fairs with employers such as Indiana-based Cummins and Lockheed Martin, attendees gain insights into industry trends, leadership skills, and employment opportunities, contributing to SHPE’s broader goals of promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM.
Why Did you Pursue The IET and SCET Majors?
I decided to pursue a double major in both IET and SCET because I recognized the importance of combining technical expertise with a focus on business and interpersonal skills. Additionally, I appreciated the importance of Purdue Polytechnic’s hands-on learning approach and the value it adds to the undergraduate educational experience. I always had an entrepreneurial mindset, and when I discovered the opportunity of the certificate, I decided to take a couple extra classes to explore the potential value it could offer me.
Why Did You Initially Become a Member of SHPE?
I became a member of SHPE in the Fall of 2020 when I sought a professional organization to propel my professional career forward. During my freshman year, I took on the role of Social Media Director on the SHPE board, leveraging my extensive experience with media content gained before attending Purdue.
Describe the Recent SHPE National Conference you Attended in Utah
It was so surreal to see the vast amount of attendees at the convention including over 300 exhibitors. Engaging with SHPE can greatly enhance students’ career paths, offering diverse avenues for growth. As the largest association in the nation dedicated to Hispanics in STEM, SHPE provides meaningful opportunities for students and professionals alike. The organization is committed to meeting its members at their current stage, delivering impactful training, mentorship, and programming within a dynamic community, and is one of the most fruitful conventions that I have attended.
I gained a great deal from it, ranging from lifelong friendships to valuable insights into the industry. SHPE has always been a credible organization with a rich history. As a result, I was determined to seize the opportunities provided by the convention, including potential employment. My goal was to advance my career by networking with reputable companies present at the event seeking to hire undergraduates.
When I wasn’t actively participating in the career fair or engaging in networking opportunities, I frequently dedicated my time to attending workshops organized by different companies throughout the week. These sessions provided valuable perspectives on the day-to-day experiences of industry professionals. Some of the workshops included: “Your Foot Is In The Door! Tips From The Pros On How To Start Your Work Journey On The Right Foot”, “Stories of Resilience of an Engineer at Honeywell”, and “Busy Bees, the Healthy Hustle in a STEM Career Sponsored by Exxon Mobil Corporation”, “Resilience Without Burnout: Conversation on Finding the Balance Presented by PepsiCo”.
I have fond memories of my four years of active participation in SHPE, from trivia nights to soccer intramurals, and it has been a pleasure being able to connect with other like-minded individuals. Future students in the Purdue Polytechnic Institute should consider this pathway because it is extremely beneficial to their personal and professional careers. While the organization’s name is specific, SHPE has actively welcomed students from various STEM majors in recent years.
Describe Some Favorite Memories from Purdue University (and any possible advice)
In industrial management today, organizations value supply chain knowledge substantially as these positions are multifaceted and have a considerable impact on business operations. Students who studied SCET help their organizations by facilitating efficiency by streamlining processes and managing costs effectively through optimized procurement and logistics.
My advice to students looking to attend similar conventions or hold leadership positions in their respective organizations is to be the best version of yourself. Establish achievable goals and actively pursue them, consistently challenging yourself to grow. Engagement is key; making a name for yourself involves actively participating in organizations and contributing in any way possible (Student-run organizations, research, and teaching assistant opportunities) with a focus on striving for leadership positions.
My most memorable moments as a Boilermaker was when Purdue beat ranked and undefeated MSU in football in 2021 and I was able to rush the field, outings with my fraternity brothers, and purchasing the boarding pass my senior year where I attended a couple of volleyball, soccer, basketball and, every home football game.
Where Do You Hope Your Degree from Purdue Will Lead You?
My future endeavors consist of working at a Fortune 500 company as a Supply Chain Associate after graduation. Looking ahead, my aspirations include pursuing a master’s degree in Engineering Management or a related field. Additionally, I want to start my own business in an industry related to operations and technology.
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The SHPE hopes to continue to attract and galvanize likeminded students such as Aaron who will be at the forefront of the next generation that will fill the skills gap of needed Tech and Engineering workers in Indiana and beyond.
