SBSE WORKSHOPS

The Society of Black Scientists and Engineers hosts several on and off-campus workshops and presentations to promote long range professional and academic career planning. Some of the workshops include an annual professional development seminar, multiple resume writing workshops, interviewing skills workshops, and continuing studies presentations. The diversity, professionalism and impact of these workshops and presentations demonstrate SBSE's commitment to encouraging the academic and professional excellence of our membership.

Professional Development Seminars
Each year, SBSE hosts a Professional Development Seminar sponsored by a corporation. At the seminar, we hold two modules offering three workshops each; industry professionals facilitate the workshops. This year, the workshop will take place in April, 2004. Last year's workshop was attended by over 30 chapter and NSBE Jr. members, as well as members from other nearby chapters. The seminar’s theme was Critical Skill Development. The workshops focused on effective communication, networking, interviewing and entrepreneurship. Overall, the Corporate Seminar focuses on the critical skills that are necessary for success in the business world. If you are a corporate representative interested in sponsoring this year's seminar or you would like to receive more information about the seminar, please contact the seminar coordinator, Phillip Arowosegbe, phillipa@stanford.edu

Resume Writing Workshops
Every year, SBSE invites representatives from the campus Career Development Center to present a workshop on resume writing. The representatives cover topics such as cover letters, the differences between functional resumes, skill summary resumes, and CV’s. As well as tips on writing effective resumes - particularly for a career fair. In addition to these workshops we invite industry professionals to discuss and critique the resumes of our chapter members. We encourage students to visit the campus Career Development Center and also schedule time with representatives from the center to provide helpful hints to improve each member’s resume. This one-on-one feedback has proven to be very helpful.

Interviewing Skills Workshops
Last year, SBSE hosted a presentation on both the case interview and the behavioral interview. In January 2004, Microsoft representatives discussed the technical interview. We felt that it was important to provide this information to our members because the technical interview differs greatly from the more commonplace behavioral interview. In addition, interaction with industry professionals each week allows members to get first hand information and tips about the varying types of interviews that each company offers.

PhD Program at the School of Engineering
On February 8, 2003, the Director of Diversity Programs at Stanford’s Graduate School of Engineering, Noe Lozano, presented a workshop at the SBSE Spring Regional Conference about the PhD program at the Graduate School of Engineering here at Stanford. The purpose of the workshop was to encourage minority enrollment and communicate available opportunities. The workshop served to motivate several SBSE and NSBE Region Six members to further consider continuing studies.

Graduate School Informational Presentation
In April, 2003, a panel of graduate students addressed the graduate school application process. The main topics included how to prepare for the GRE, soliciting recommendations, the importance of research experience, and writing an effective statement of purpose. Students also received contact information for graduate school admissions as well as handouts concerning available graduate fellowships. Additionally, SBSE continually facilitates the interaction between our graduate and undergraduate members, both socially at fun events and academically at study sessions where graduate students may help undergraduate members.