NSBE Professionals, the 6,300-member organization for technical professionals of the National Society of Black Engineers, will host its Fourth Annual Professional Development Conference (PDC) at the Hilton Hartford in Hartford, Ct., Oct. 8-11, 2015. The conference theme is "Transforming Your Path to Professional Success."
The PDC is the premier event entirely focused on the NSBE Professionals. Over the course of three days, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with other professionals, corporate representatives and executives; transform their technical and professional acumen by attending various workshops and panel discussions focused on leadership, career development and personal growth; attend the annual Evening of Excellence, during which individuals and organizations are recognized for their contributions and commitment to excellence in community achievement; and close the conference with a community impact project. The project will bring middle school and/or high school students from the local area to participate in hands-on activities led by the NSBE Professionals, to inspire the next generation of engineers.
This year's keynote speaker will be Steve Perry, Ed.D., founder and principal of Capital Preparatory Magnet School in Hartford. Capital Prep has sent 100 percent of its predominantly low-income, minority, first-generation high school graduates to four-year colleges every year since its first graduation in 2006. In addition to being the principal of Capital Preparatory Magnet School, Dr. Perry is an education contributor for CNN and MSNBC, an Essence Magazine columnist, a best-selling author and host of the #1 docudrama for TVONE, Save My Son.
Conference attendees will have the opportunity to participate in technical training that will yield continuing education units and prepare them for certifications. Technical training offerings include Lean Bronze Belt training sponsored by United Technologies Aerospace Systems; CM-at-Risk: Contracting for Owners, Consulting Engineers, and Contractors, presented by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Attendees will also engage in several PDC Signature Events focused on leadership development, including Inside the Executive Suite, Executive Women's Panel, and Executive Mentoring, all featuring executive employees of NSBE's corporate partners.
"This conference is a great example of how the NSBE Professionals are supporting NSBE's mission to '...succeed professionally and positively impact the community,' " says Mary McWilliams, national chair of NSBE Professionals and lead engineer for DLA Land and Maritime in Columbus, Ohio. "As a Society, we've set our sights on an ambitious goal: to increase the number of African-American engineering graduates from 3,620 to 10,000 per year by 2025. This event will help give our members the impetus to achieve it."
