One of the invaluable aspects of a WPI education is the opportunity for students to make connections that benefit their future careers, with both peers and professionals already in the field.
Thanks to WPI’s chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), members of the Hispanic community on campus are able to see the myriad ways they’ll be able to influence and improve the world through STEM.
As a chapter of the national society, which was founded in 1974, WPI’s SHPE gives Hispanic students the opportunity to attend professional events, complete community service activities, and focus on personal development and networking opportunities.
General body meetings are held weekly and include a variety of activities, such as panels with company representatives, resumé reviews, mock interviews, and STEM experiments. Other events run by the society are the newly created Networking Dinner, as well as empanada sales and challenges where students play games and answer trivia questions in exchange for the delicious pastries. In the process, students are able to increase awareness of the Hispanic community.
“It’s had an enormous impact on my time at WPI. I couldn’t believe how far this organization has taken me, and how much I owe to it. It’s taught me how to be not only a great professional but a better person who cares about issues that surround our community. Overall, SHPE has taught me more than I could have ever hoped for.” -Waleria Duarte
Previous chapter president Waleria Duarte ’20 has been part of the society since her first year on campus after stumbling upon the various events held by SHPE throughout campus. The opportunity to take advantage of leadership opportunities also appealed to her, and she soon was elected interim Fundraising Chair before ultimately becoming president.
“It’s had an enormous impact on my time at WPI,” Duarte says. While interviewing with different companies during the SHPE National Conference during her sophomore year, Duarte received a verbal offer from GE, something she credits to the numerous resume reviews, mock interviews, and panel discussions with alumni offered as part of WPI’s SHPE chapter. “I couldn’t believe how far this organization has taken me, and how much I owe to it.
“It’s taught me how to be not only a great professional but a better person who cares about issues that surround our community. Overall, SHPE has taught me more than I could have ever hoped for.”
Interested students may email the club for more information on meetings and to see how they can get involved.
- By Allison Racicot
