Can I Get a TOOO -HYPPEE?

     This is the chant that I heard all weekend at the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) conference this weekend. The mission of NSBE is to, increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers, who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community. While the mission statement may sound a bit cliche and drawn out, I believe that NSBE’s purpose is to build leaders. NSBE is the largest student run organization in the United States and therefore it is literally an organization run by we the students. I joined NSBE my first year because my peer advisor was on the executive board and dragged me to the meetings. Having free food at the meetings was plus, yet there was something that NSBE offered that kept me coming back for more. At the time, I think it was the family aspect of seeing other people my race in my major that first got me hooked.

    After attending this conference, I've begun to see that’s what’s started my interest in NSBE, but now it has changed to making a difference not only at UVA, but in the world. In NSBE I have a sense of power and drive to change things around me. I was secretary last year and this year I am programs chair. Next year, I plan to run for president or a regional position because I want to make a difference to those around me. In October, I was able to take 7 kids that we tutor/mentor to a UVA football game. Honestly, I could have emailed the appropriate people to make arrangements to receive free tickets without having a position in NSBE. Yet it wasn't until NSBE that I learned if I want to change something than I can. It is completely up to me to do something about it instead of having a woe is me party with my friends.

    A speaker at the conference told a story about a pregnant dog that had its hind legs amputated. The mother dog was not given any sort of wheelchair so she would drag her body using her front two legs. Now when the dog had her puppies they were all born without any abnormalities. However, the dog’s owner started to notice that all of the puppies would walk using only their two front legs because that is what they saw their mother doing. This story really hit me, not only because I love dogs, but how people tend to act like this every day. We get stuck in this fixed mindset that what we see is how we should act or otherwise learn to accept as law. I know I tend to speak a lot about changing my mindset, but being an engineer a fixed mindset is all that I know. Every action requires an equal and opposite reaction. What must come up must come down. Bragg’s Law is 2dsin(θ)=nλ. Things like these never change and there are pages of proofs to explain them in detail. I’m getting better at keeping an open mindset within my major, but being a realist doesn't always allow me to see the silver lining with ease. NSBE is one avenue that has been able to help me to not only think outside the box, but get rid of the entire concept of a box whatsoever. Now with NSBE, I have not figured out what is the exact reason that I have such a burning passion and drive, but I know it exists. I just hope with my future job I have this same passion that pours out as my passion for NSBE is evident in this blog.