Looking back at the first 20 years of my life, I can definitely say I’ve been blessed.
I’m blessed to have parents from Nigeria who didn’t have the opportunity to get a higher education in their home country. And so, coming to the U.S. in the 1990s, they made sure their kids — my younger brother, my three younger sisters and I — knew the value of college.
High academic achievement has been a part of my identity for as long as I can remember. Throughout my early education, in my hometown of Alexander City, Alabama, I was always at or near the top of my class, and in high school, my GPA was over 4.0, with the extra points I received for my AP classes. I’ve continued to exhibit academic excellence during my time at Tuskegee University. I was admitted as a TU Merit Scholarship recipient as a freshman, in 2015, and I’ve made the Dean’s List each academic year since, as a mechanical engineering major. This is my senior year, and my current GPA is 3.881.
Why are African Americans underrepresented in engineering? Many say a lack of role models in the field for black K–12 students and a lack of early exposure to STEM for our kids are two of the main reasons. Looking back at my life, and the success I’ve had as an electrical engineering student at the University of Houston, I see a lot of truth in those ideas.
You made it! You worked hard, got admitted to college and graduated from high school. And your family, NSBE Jr. advisors and peers, teachers and community are applauding you! I am, too! But now what?
Since complaints alleging deplorable behavior by Harvey Weinstein surfaced late last year, hardly a week goes by without one or more new sexual harassment allegations being made by women against men with whom they’ve worked or, most tragically, for whom they’ve worked. The #MeToo movement that has burgeoned in the wake of these revelations has empowered women (and men) to speak truth to power, challenge the status quo and demand an inclusive workplace that ensures opportunities for success for women on equal grounds with their male peers and supervisors.
“…Black candidates asked for $112,800, the lowest ask of any racial group included in the study.”
Change Your Attitude! Embrace Effort
The difference between success and failure is the internal resolve to overcome obstacles in the pursuit of excellence. Many engineers, including me, dealt with adversity during their academic and professional journey.
Why have we focused on 10K? There has been an ongoing debate about this country’s ability to fill science and engineering jobs with qualified candidates. One obvious solution is to increase the talent pool by graduating more scientists and engineers2. At 13.3 percent of the total population3 and only 4.0 percent of engineering degree holders, African Americans are vastly underrepresented in this field, one that has high earning potential and makes a significant economic impact.