Focusing on the FIRST FIVE: Supporting Young Technical Professionals
Typically, NSBE key member activities can be very event-focused. This emphasis can leave more systematic, evidence-informed programming in the background. However, select Pre-Collegiate (READY!) and Collegiate (SET!) activities benefit from evidence-informed, meaningful programming. Given these precedents, the Professional SPTF workgroup felt it important for NSBE Professionals to engage NSBE (i.e. including leadership, management, and staff) to establish robust out-of-conference, repeatable event activities and programming. Currently, NSBE Professionals operate with a subtle Breadth & Depth tension. Practically, its ambitions for quality and fidelity do not correspond with its volunteer and operational capacity. However, if right-sized and re-aligned, NSBE staff could focus its energies and developing meaningful programming. For example, it could re-establish the TORCH Centers. A SMALL WIN: Programs & Activities Evaluation. To start making progress, the Workgroup suggests taking NSBE’s website-listed programs list of 12-13 programs ground an evaluation of the effectiveness of NSBE current programming to professional members. With counsel and support from NSBE’s World Headquarters, the National Programs Chair’s team would determine which programs are effective and support NSBE’s 10k Goal by 2025. On the other hand, if reviewed program activities do not support NSBE’s 10k Goal by 2025, these activities would be archived. Overtime, a broader, chapter-wide inventory of worthwhile programs would be conducted at the chapter level. MAKING MID-CAREER VITAL CONNECTIONS: SIGs, MOUs & Powerful Partnerships Because Professional members’ needs are generally non-technical (centering on establishing connections within industry), the Special Interest Groups (SIGs) can provide powerful programmatic support to the 5 – 15-year experience level. SIGs are well-positioned to help mid-career professional members make meaningful, value-adding connections to the breadth of the Engineering and STEM industry infrastructures (e.g., Government Agencies, Professional Organizations, etc.). The Workgroup saw the optimal method for forging these connections was through very specific and structured Memorandum of Understandings (MOU). Examples of partnerships might include: • an MOU/Partnership between the Entrepreneurship SIG and the Minority Business Development Agency of the Department of Commerce; • an MOU/Partnership with the Congressional Black Caucus and the Public Policy SIG. Ideally, MOU Partners would be the bride-points facilitating connections between NSBE members and leading industry organizations and interesting field initiatives. To begin this reset of the SIGs, the Professional Executive Board should evaluate the structural components around who leads SIGs, how long should they lead, and who creates their strategic direction. An annual evaluation of goals and objectives to determine impact and effectiveness, should also be included in SIG operations.
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