I first got involved with SHPE as a student at the Colorado School of Mines but it just feels like I was always a part of SHPE. It's been my life since 1992. And in 2009 I became a Lifetime Member.

I was with IBM for 17 1/2 years straight out of college and I had many opportunities. I also ended up going back to school and pursuing my MBA.

To be in SHPE you just have to support our mission and vision to bring up our youth in an environment where they have an opportunity to learn STEM technologies and pass that on.

My advice would be: don't care too much about what other people think, step out of your comfort zone, get involved, and give back.

I attended Cal State LA and we had a very active SHPE chapter. I became a member in 1999 so if you count, I am now celebrating 20 years as a SHPE member.

Engineering is one of the best things that has happened in my life. I've been a part of a lot of projects and teams that have made world history.

I’ve been to about 17 SHPE conventions. My favorite part now is being on the other side, as a professional.

My best advice is that you have to learn how to sell yourself in person and on paper. When you have an opportunity to come to the conventions and meet the recruiters, go meet them and introduce yourself.

I'm originally from El Paso and I wanted to broaden my horizons. I was very lucky to get into MIT and I’ve been going there for the past four years. It's been an outstanding opportunity.

Once I got into MIT, the first thing I did was find the SHPE chapter. They became my Familia away from home and that's where I grew for years.

I just graduated from MIT. I'm staying there for a fifth year to do my Master's and then once I finish I'll hopefully go work at NASA JPL, if everything goes as planned.

After I graduate and go into professional life, I plan on being active in the SHPE professional chapter. Also I'd like to be able to mentor a SHPE Junior chapter, and attend conferences.

I got into college at the University of Texas El Paso. At first, I was really interested in biomedical engineering. Instead, I chose to do electrical engineering - I thought I would never be without a job.

Through one of my classes, my professor ended up introducing me to SHPE. I was able to get amazing mentors there who put me on the right path.

My advisor told me,'You are enough. You don't have to be better than everyone else, just be you.' And I feel like the moment she told me that, she took a lot of pressure off my shoulders and I just embraced who I was.

You don't have to be an officer to make an impact on SHPE. I have never been an officer and yet I feel like I've had so much impact on my chapter. It's just a matter of wanting to help others.