VCU’s black engineers scout jobs at regional conference

Selling doughnuts, washing cars at gas stations and working eight-hour shifts at Kings Dominion were some methods VCU’s student members of the National Society of Black Engineers used to fund their trip to the group’s regional conference.

“It is a lot better than any local career fair. There will be a lot of companies, not just four or five. You will have a lot more options,” said Calvin Cropper, development chair for VCU’s black engineering society.

The regional conference slated for Nov. 4 to 6 in Charlotte, N.C., will unite chapters of the engineering group as far north as Pennsylvania and as far south as South Carolina. Graduate, undergraduates and alumni from 50 universities, including VCU, will participate.

“You get to meet the best professionals in the industry as well as the best student minds,” said Priscilla Wallace, VCU’s chapter adviser.

VCU society members plan to attend a multitude of conference workshops that can prepare them for employment via building their resumes and learning interview techniques.

In addition, members learn about African-American culture by competing with other chapters in the African-American Quiz Bowl provided at the event.

“We are striving to win the African-American Quiz Bowl,” said Priscilla Eddings, VCU’s chapter president.

As president of VCU’s chapter, Eddings has the incentive to win the competition.

“You can win money to help pay for travel and lodging for next year’s FRC,” she said.

Fundraisers alone cannot pay all expenses involved in sending members to the conference. Help comes from Infineon and Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) Chemicals for VCU’s chapter.

“A good portion of our money comes from the Student Government Association,” Wallace said. “They give us money for transportation, for housing, and they cover the cost for registration for two people, which are primarily your primary officers (president and vice president). It’s a big help but it is not enough.”

Wallace said she wants to send as many members as possible to conferences such as the fall regional one.

“My most memorable experience as president last year was being able to send as many as 15 people to the national conference in Boston,” she said.