I recalled my participation in the Philadelphia Regional
Introduction to Minorities in Engineer (PRIME) program while I was in high
school and, later, in the University of Delaware’s Resources to Insure
Successful Engineers (RISE) program. The
programs were designed to ensure prospective engineering students are provided
resources to maximize their chances of success with success being defined as
graduating from an undergraduate engineering program.
I would be proud if my daughter chose to study engineering
but only if she is interested. I recall during my time as an undergraduate I
recalled many of my classmates who started off in engineering who did not enjoy
their coursework and changed their majors to disciplines which interested them
and lived happily ever after.
The part of me that used to work as an engineer for over 10
years has seen the lack of diversity in many engineering fields first hand.
Particularly alarming are the scarcity of those of color and of women.
There is another part of me realizes the overall purpose of
being a parent is to set your children up for success in things they are
interested in and not what you are fascinated with since when I am long longer
alive it will be their lives.
I am grateful her teachers believe she can study engineering
or any hard science but if she is not interested in studying these subjects with
the goal of making a living then what is the point? So I declined the gracious invitation
from Alameda County. As much as I believe in the group’s mission and the benefits
of the program. Is this the right
decision?
Image Courtesy of Minority Engineer Magazine @ www.eop.com
Posts
