Black Collegian Career Center

At some point, every student wonders about their future after college. The question, “Now what?” is usually the impetus that starts students thinking of their future beyond their undergraduate degree.  To enhance career opportunities and earning potential, students should consider undergraduate research experiences and graduate school. There are numerous programs to help undergraduates become more aware of, receive funding for and enhance admission possibilities for graduate studies. Monetarily, there are numerous opportunities to fund undergraduate research opportunities and graduate education independent of using your own money.  In the following, some of the more widely known and successful national programs are highlighted:

NASA-RISE

The NASA sponsored Research In Science and Engineering Summer Institute (RISE), administered through DCES Educational Services is entering its third year of operation. The program offers a summer research experience to first and second year NASA scholars, providing a strong model for expanding and diversifying the pool of individuals interested in and successfully competing for selective summer internships, science and engineering research positions, and graduate fellowships. Over 80 NASA Scholars have matriculated through the rigorous curriculum RISE offers.  "RISE is a very unique opportunity for science and engineering scholars to learn the critical skills necessary for successful research experiences. To be able to gain those tools and do so at premier research institutions is extremely valuable," stated DeAngela Wiley, RISE program manager. During the first two years RISE has partnered with Purdue University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, University of Michigan, and added Florida A&M University to the consortium for 2001. Applications for 2002 will be accepted beginning in January 2002. The application and supplementary forms are available for download from the DCES Educational Services website at www.dcaes.org.

GEM

The National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science, Inc. (GEM) is a nonprofit organization established in 1976 to increase the number of American Indians, African Americans, Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and other Hispanic Americans pursuing graduate degrees in engineering and natural science disciplines. GEM is well known for providing financial support for advanced degrees in engineering and science as well as providing academic enhancement workshops and seminars on such pertinent issues as minority student and faculty mentoring and retention.

GEM fellowships consist of funding for tuition and stipends. Fellows are required to intern during the summer with one of the sponsoring GEM employers. Financial assistance may be obtained in three different programs: GEM MS Engineering Fellowship Program, GEM Ph.D. Engineering Fellowship Program and the GEM Ph.D. Science Fellowship Program. GEM Fellowship awards are only valid at GEM Member Universities, and each GEM University exercises its own admission requirements and standards that may differ from GEM Fellowship requirements and standards. GEM Fellowship information and applications are available on college campuses from the GEM University Representatives, Minority Engineering Program offices, college and department offices, and other sites. Fellowships and applications may be obtained from the organization’s Web site at http://www.nd.edu/~gem/. Completed applications, including supporting documentation, are due at the GEM office on/or by December 1.

NACME

The National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, Inc. was established in 1974 with the mission to increase the representation of successful African-American, American Indian and Latino women and men in engineering and technology, math- and science-based careers. NACME continues to develop partnerships and to foster research-based changes in policies and practices to secure equal opportunity for all Americans in the areas of Science, Math, Engineering and Technology. NACME also creates and operates pre-college, university and workforce programs, and disseminates critical information via meetings, conferences, the media, publications and the Internet to further support its mission. NACME is also the nation's largest private source of scholarships for minorities in engineering. NACME has various scholarships for Native-American, African-American, and Hispanic/Latino students who are college-bound high school seniors planning to major in engineering or undergraduates majoring in engineering. For complete information on scholarships, various NACME programs and a list of participating colleges visit the Web site at http://www.nacme.org.

FOCUS

FOCUS is a three-day series of lectures, tours, panel discussions and social events sponsored by Georgia Tech.  The program brings approximately 300 outstanding African-American juniors and seniors from more than 80 colleges and universities to Georgia Tech in Atlanta to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Week and to be informed about the opportunities for graduate study. The students are either recommended by faculty at their schools, by Georgia Tech students, or by communication with Georgia Tech faculty, and faculty at other schools. The trip is by invitation only and students must have a GPA of at least 3.0. FOCUS participants are supported for three nights lodging, meals, a cultural event, and travel subsidy. They spend three days at Georgia Tech visiting all six colleges, and enjoy participation in several King Week events. Students meet with professors and students, tour labs, visit dorms, and participate in graduate workshops. "FOCUS has been successful because of the Georgia Tech leadership, the Black Graduate Students and the internal financial support. It has also raised the consciousness of other majority technological institutions regarding diversity," stated Robert Haley, director of special projects in the College of Engineering and coordinator of FOCUS. As such, other universities including Michigan, Purdue, Illinois and MIT have developed similar programs to expose students to graduate opportunities.

NASA -Harriett G. Jenkins Predoctoral Fellowship Program

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has partnered with the United Negro College Fund Special Programs, Inc. (UNCFSP) to develop and manage the Harriett G. Jenkins Predoctoral Fellowship Program (JPFP). The mission of the JPFP is to increase the number of women, minorities, and disabled persons participating in the math, science, engineering, and technology (MSET) disciplines in the workforce. “JPFP facilitates the development of a more inclusive, multicultural and sustainable workforce by providing access and opportunity to those underrepresented and underutilized persons of society who want to earn advanced degrees” stated Dr. Kendrick E. Curry, Director of JPFP.  The Harriett G. Jenkins Predoctoral Fellowship provides full-time pre-doctoral graduate students underrepresented in the NASA-related (MSET) disciplines with up to 3 years of funding. Fellows receive annual stipends of $16,000 and annual tuition offset of $8,500. Furthermore, fellows participate in numerous professional, personal and academic development workshops and symposia. The application deadline for the 2001-02 academic year is: February 1, 2002. Application forms are available via e-mail: hgjfellows@uncfsp.org or phone: (703)-205-7635.

Often, we do not know what the future holds, so all students should interest themselves in such opportunities and programs. Do not shut the door to graduate school by stating that you are not interested in research, especially if you have not investigated the possibilities. As the economy has taken a turn for the worse, many now see the benefit of having additional credentials and diverse experiences to make themselves more marketable. The only price you should pay for your graduate degree is hard work and sacrifice. Too many governmental, institutional and extramural funding sources exist for qualified students to allow money to be a source of stress. Students should seek additional information on semester and summer programs at their home institutions.

Dr. Calvin Mackie is an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Tulane University.