NSBE49 Call For Workshops

The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) is one of the largest student-governed organizations in the world. Guided by our mission, we seek to increase interest in STEM fields, the number of minorities studying, graduating and working in STEM fields. Our organization develops and trains students, leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community

NSBE is now accepting proposals for workshops for NSBE’s 49th Annual Convention (#NSBE49)! The Convention will take place on March 22–26, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri! The theme of #NSBE49 is “I AM S.T.E.M.”

Workshop Goals

This year, NSBE will use a combination of “soft” and “strict” guidelines designed to solicit specifically curated workshops for the NSBE membership. The goal is for our Convention attendees to experience amore dynamic and engaging, fully in-person event than we have ever presented in the past. 

NSBE Annual Convention workshops are interactive experiences (showcases, panels, exhibitions, work presented for Convention attendees) specifically related to themes/topics selected by the Convention Planning Committee. These themes/topics are meant to represent what our members find most valuable and impactful.

Workshop Guidelines

Soft Guidelines:

• Engage with the attendees. Workshop participants should thoroughly interact with the workshop material and not just read information from a screen.
• Make an emotional impact. The Annual Convention spotlights the greatness of our organization and partners. Workshops should have memorable moments that inspire wonder and instill amazement in the future engineers of our Society.
• Prepare attendees for the future: Workshop participants should be taught the appropriate expectations and equipped with the necessary skills for the next step in their careers, whether that is starting high school, college, employment or their own venture.
• Make the content accessible post-Convention. Workshop participants should have long-term access to the content and related resources in some form, and/or have an opportunity to connect with the presenters, after the event.
• Offer something new. First-time workshops are preferred over experiences that have been presented in previous Conventions — unless the previous workshop had very high attendance or was highly favored by the attendees. 

Strict Guidelines:

• Convention workshops must be centered on NSBE members and may not be used, primarily, to advertise the presenter’s organization without showcasing means for members to engage meaningfully with the organization.
  • Present information such as:
    • Ways to work with the organization in the future
    • Opportunities for mentorship
    • Insider looks into the organization’s structure and areas of interest to students
•  Convention workshops must have a clear relation to one of the workshop track.
  • Exceptions:
    • Specifically requested experiences
    • Special cases as determined by the Convention Planning Committee
    • Especially informing, engaging or dynamic experiences

#NSBE49 ‘I am S.T.E.M.’ Workshop Tracks

I Am Professional

Focus: Succeed Professionally

This track aims to provide our members with specific skill sets that promote their success as students, employees or entrepreneurs. Workshop topics include but are not limited to:

• LinkedIn Networking
• Resume Review/Interview Prep

I Am the Future of Tech

Focus: Tech the Future

This track showcases technical innovation and or prowess that our members can possess or aspire to. Workshop topics include but are not limited to: 

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Machine Learning (ML)
• Internet of Things (IoT)

I Am the Next Generation

Focus: Engage the Next Generation

This track seeks to establish a STEM career pipeline from K–12 to college to the workplace. Each NSBE demographic — NSBE Jr., Collegiate and NSBE Professionals — will have an in-depth understanding of the next and how to successfully transition. Workshop topics include but are not limited to:

•  Graduate School Prep
• Speed Networking (for all demographics)

I Am.

Focus: Manage Wellness

This track promotes the importance of mental health and presents the right tools to efficiently manage stress and practice overall wellness. Workshop topics include but are not limited to:

• Time Management
• Financial Literacy
• Mental Health

Click here for access to the workshop submission application. All submissions are due no later than September 24, 2022, so please send them early!

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Submitting a workshop proposal does not guarantee selection for NSBE’s 49th Annual Convention: we will select the submissions we think are best for our attendees and that provide high-quality experiences for all attendee demographics. 
• We reserve the right to suggest alternative topics or collaborate to tweak submissions to better fit the curated experience we are looking for. 
• We ask that you submit a one-to two-minute promotional video for each workshop submission. The video should provide the gist of your workshop, as we will use it and your application in our selection process.

For more information, or to submit questions or concerns, please contact the Convention Planning Committee Speakers and Workshops co-chairs: Laquavious Thomas at cpcsw@nsbe.org or Ira Moore at cpcsw2@nsbe.org.  

We look forward to your submission! You can access the #NSBE49 Call for Workshops submission form here.