Students benefit by becoming involved in professional student organizations in engineering. You get to travel to national engineering conferences and practice your design skills in undergraduate competitions. It’s a great way of building up a professional network, securing gainful employment, and exploring graduate school options.
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
I am the faculty advisor for the JMU ASCE Student Chapter. ASCE is the nation’s oldest engineering society representing over 150,000 members. ASCE organizes initiatives that supports the civil engineering profession in planning, designing, and constructing the built environment, while protecting and restoring the natural environment. The JMU ASCE Student Chapter coordinates with the Blue Ridge Branch Professional Chapter in technology exchanges that support student professional development. Learn more about free student membership to ASCE by clicking on this link. You can learn more about the JMU ASCE Student Chapter by contacting the faculty advisor, Dr. Castaneda. Additionally, you can reach out to the JMU ASCE Student Chapter via jmu.asce@gmail.com and/or follow them on Instagram.
Hispanics in STEM (H-STEM)
I am the faculty advisor for Hispanics in STEM (H-STEM). H-STEM is a student organization at JMU that affiliates with the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). SHPE is a national networking organization of professional engineers serving as role models in the Hispanic community. H-STEM shares SHPE’s mission of positively impacting the world through STEM awareness, increasing access to education, supporting its young members, and lifelong professional development. Students can compete in national engineering design challenges and present their undergraduate research at forums. The SHPE Career Fair and Graduate School Expo regularly brings in over 100 major companies and universities, who aggressively recruit SHPE student members. Learn more about student national membership to SHPE by clicking on this link. You can learn more about H-STEM by contacting the faculty advisor, Dr. Castaneda. Additionally, you can reach out to the H-STEM via shpe.jmu@gmail.com and/or follow them on Instagram.