APPENDIX FULL LISTING OF COMMENTS IN EACH RECURRING THEME
12 Lack of focus and resources for high-level members/job opportunities
• Most of my colleagues have 25+ years of experience. They associate NSBE with college and will not join the professional chapter. • Involvement is significantly compare to when I was in college. As a professional, the time is not there but I don’t see grasping activities in the organization to justify time taken from my Family or business. Needles to say, I still support the intention and will not end my membership. • For kids in college, I totally would recommend it. For myself in the professional realm, I would recommend it to the younger professionals. • NSBE seems to be very conference focused - there need to be other avenues for members - especially Professionals - to be involved. Due to project milestones and other work obligations I can’t always make a conference (just because a project milestone may happen two months after a conference does not mean that the two months prior are available - it may take 2-4 months out to make a milestone) • I see the PCI components as very valuable, however the professional benefits are not as consistent. I love this organization and wish that the consistency across chapters was stronger. • As a seasoned professional, NSBE can not provide any professional or technical development for someone at my experience level. However, I encourage and recruit young people to the organization and work heavily to build the pipeline by focusing on support to NSBE Jr, Advisors, and mentoring others. That’s why I gave a 8.
• The premier organization for Black engineers. If there is any organization for a Black engineer to join and be able to find support immediately, it is this one. However, national convention is generally focused towards undergraduate students and building their skills, connections, and opportunities in the field, maybe Masters Degree seekers too. Doctoral students who are interested in going into industry, like me, would love a similar space or opportunity among other African-Americans to build these connections with a focus on higher-level jobs. • If i know students or recent Grads i think its a great organization, however as a more senior professional its harder to give reasons for joining if they arent tied to the cause through children or past experience or the need for a job • NSBE was the community I needed to get through Engineer and I built up several skills I use today in my professional life. It’s very different being involved with NSBE once you’re a professional, but I understand the value NSBE brings to undergraduates and I believe everyone should know that. • Disproportional Membership Numbers from the Collegiate to Professional, as evidenced by the drop in numbers after graduation. • “I am an older professional and communicate mostly with older professionals. Over the last year I’ve been a non-committed participant because most activities seem focused on the college-age to @35 crowd.
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Stakeholder Pulse Checks 34
Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog