Women in Engineering Day at Georgia Tech

By: Allison B.

         Here in Georgia, we have some of the top colleges in the country. Every college here is fantastic for girls! But one, the Georgia Institute of Technology, or as we know GA Tech, is one of the co-ed colleges that has the least amount of girls. It has an excellent education, cool campus, and students and professors of all diversities, there’s still one thing missing… the school is only made up of 35% women…a very small population considering the University of Georgia is the complete opposite, with 68% of its student body being women! But GA Tech is doing some wonderful things to get more girls interested in engineering, especially something they did in 2013: the Women in Engineering Career Conference.

         On October 10, 2013, walking into the GA Tech Student Center, it would look a little different than usual. Many of the people you’d see would be young girls, ranging from freshmen in high school to seniors. Sitting down at one of the tables in the conference room, one might think, “I wonder if I have anything in common with the girl sitting next to me?” Soon, they’d learn they have quite a bit in common! This conference was for girls interested in engineering and maybe even GA Tech. That’s what was so special about everyone in the room: They all had the same wonderful and reachable dream!

         The word conference might make some of you think “business” or “BORING!” but in reality, this was one of the most amazing events to take place for girls interested in engineering. There were no boring talks, no wrong questions to ask, and definitely no fears to be there! The engineering topics were some of the coolest ones out there: biomedical, mechanical, civil, environmental, industrial, nuclear, aerospace, electrical, computer, materials, bimolecular, and chemical engineering. That’s a lot of different types! The presentations were all unique. Some had slideshows to help you visualize the praiseworthy work the engineers could accomplish. Some  slideshows featured actual college girls talking about their experiences with internships, classes, projects, and job searches. Some even had visual demonstrations…like breaking a liquid nitrogen covered ball into a ton of pieces with a hammer! All the presentations were so interesting; they made it hard to decide which type of engineering was best!

Not only did professors talk about engineering, but also something very important for some girls to not be afraid about applying took place as well. A woman who looks over the college applicants for GA Tech talked to everyone about the process, and made it seem way less scary! She explained the importance of grades, SAT/ACT scores, but also the importance of being you and staying well rounded. A lot of applicants say they are nervous about their essays because they don’t know what to write, but in reality, they just have to write about themselves! The way she talked about the importance of extracurricular activities and confidence definitely sent a sigh of the relief throughout the room in the end!

During this conference, many girls learned that it really is possible to become an engineer at GA Tech. When I asked a girl who went about her experience she said “I think what I learned was that engineering is one of the coolest jobs out there…especially when you’re a woman! The professors were so nice and helpful, no one was afraid to ask questions! I loved the entire experience, and I think everyone should think about the engineering career field. There’s a place in it for all of us!”

By going to the conference, it helped prove that if you shoot for what you really want, you CAN get there! No dream is too big, and no girl is too small. We all have a place for us, and if you strive to be the best you can be, then you can be anything you want. That means that hopefully within the next few years, that 38% might rise as more girls get into engineering. So if you have a dream, don’t hold back, be yourself, and follow your heart!!!

For more information on The College of Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, click here.

What it's Like to Fly High: In the Eyes of a Future Pilot

By: Nia A

When I realized that I had been awarded a scholarship for the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals or OBAP Atlanta Summer ACE Academy, sponsored by Delta Airlines.  I didn’t know what to expect. I applied in early February 2013, and was anxious to hear. I was so excited that I even called the program coordinator to introduce myself and make sure they received my application and essay. July 6, 2013, I finally got the answer; I’d been waiting for. My mom ran into my room giving me the run-down of my schedule for the week. It consisted of early mornings, and long days of fun, including, tours, a lot of walking and even more travel and exciting adventure.  On that

Saturday, I was still trying to wake up but one thing caught my attention, she said I would be going to Washington D.C. “As in the capitol of America?” I asked. She shook her head yes. It took her explaining it three times slower with each time for me to fully get a good grasp on what she was saying. I was going to Washington D.C. for the day to the Smithsonian Aerospace museum!  Then, she hit me with another surprise, the day after we got back from D.C. we were going to fly planes. I realized that I had really underestimated what working hard in school, applying early, being professional and planning ahead, for what you want, and following your dreams really could do.  At the end of school, I was thinking to myself that I wouldn’t be doing much this summer but my summer was quite the opposite. By the quickly approaching end, I had gone to North Carolina, Florida, and I was about to go to Washington D.C, and fly an airplane. Who knew?

My experience was an experience most people dream about. It was humbling to know that not many kids or adults get this opportunity. My experience with OBAP would open so many doors and allow me to network with people from all over the U.S. Most of the kids I met were from Georgia, but we also met kids from Louisiana, Florida, South Carolina, and even Puerto Rico and the Bahamas. I made a lot of new friends and I got to meet a lot of inspirational people. It felt good to see girls and even women pilots that had the same passion as me, flying!

When we first got to our first meet-up, it was about 7am, we started with strict security clearance and identity checks, at the Delta Worldwide Headquarters at Hartsfield International Airport. I was excited but I think my mom was a little more excited that I was! We checked in and I shook the hands of the program coordinator Mr. Marcus Neyor and the program Director and Southern Regional Director of OBAP, Mr. Emmanuel Burke. I was congratulated on my essay and was also told that my stellar academic record, my professionalism in following up with Mr. Burke were all of the reasons I was chosen. It made me feel so great that I had impressed my program coordinators even before they had the opportunity to meet me. 

As I walked into the auditorium, it was amazing to see all of the people in the auditorium. It was even more amazing to see how few girls that were there. This made me realize that being a part of this program must have meant that I was headed in the right direction, making me even more honored to be there. I looked around and saw no familiar faces, forcing me to make new friends. That didn’t seem to be much of a problem because I already was getting to know this kid from The Bahamas that I admired for his extreme knowledge of airplanes. I was a little taken aback when he was telling planes apart by pictures of their cockpits. “Who does that?” I thought to myself. Over the week I got to know him and he taught me about the programs that he used to practice his flying.

When we got to Falcon Field, I was so eager, that I didn’t even want to stay in the car. I was excited because not only was this going to be my first time in a Cessna aircraft, but I would be the one flying it. Pilots and aviation schools from all over flew in with their planes to spend the day with us. I was elated when I realized that Embry Riddle Aeronautical University came with instructors. I had done a project on them in school and I was so excited because I was finally getting to meet more people than I got to experience in school every day. 

My partner and I were the first to fly with our instructor who was an Australian Native and flew in from Florida to volunteer his Cessna aircraft

and donate flight hours. I flew a total of 40 minutes to LaGrange, Georgia, and my partner flew back. We stayed no more than 3,000 feet in the air, but no lower than 2,500 feet off of the ground. It was a breathtaking experience. It felt great to be a girl at that very moment.

 I was so amazed and knew little of the sacrifice our volunteers gave in the intense GA heat, the long hours of service they donated and the expenses towards fuel and their expertise for free. We were the first to fly and we felt like celebrities walking through the door because as soon as we did, everyone gave us a standing ovation and I never felt more empowered and honored. This is an experience that I will never forget, I was so humbled to know that my week-long experience was provided through the generosity of Delta Airlines, Express Jet and hundreds of pilots, staff and fellow OBAP members who gave up their vacation time to spend the week with us. All food, training, and resources were free and donated via a scholarship.  I could have not been more proud for myself, my family and also as a Girl Scout!

One thing that I remember most is when a pilot from Delta Airlines told me that 15 years from now he expected me to be flying for someone and that I would be the in command. From that day forward I am determined to make sure that happens. I came in contact with very important, successful men and women that are expecting me to take my exposure and experiences and run with them. They are expecting me to let my destiny take me around the world and I am determined not to let them down. This experience has definitely put the right eyes on me and they are now tracking my success. I am grateful for this experience and you can look to see me flying higher than ever towards my future!  For more information and to learn more about Aerospace and Aviation Careers, go to faa.gov/eduation, to learn more about the National Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) , go to OBAP.org