Partnering with Universities to Advance DE&I in our Industry

Partnering with Universities to Advance DE&I in our Industry

by Tamia Burkett (Project Officer, STV) and Robert Belitz (President & CEO, Tighe & Bond) with input from the ACEC/MA DEI Task Force

In recent years, the importance of diversity in engineering has come to the forefront of discussions and initiatives in our industry. ACEC-Massachusetts hosted an event this past Spring with various educators on a two-part panel to discuss and strategize on advancing diversity in the field of engineering. Panelists were representatives from MIT, Boston University, UMass Lowell, Merrimack College, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Smith College, Northeastern University and UMass Dartmouth.

What Universities are Doing to Advance Diversity in Engineering

Universities are at the forefront of addressing diversity challenges to prepare the future generation of our workforce, and the event highlighted some pioneering steps they are taking:

• Holistic Admission Processes: Schools like WPI have started to look beyond just grades and scores. They are focusing on an applicant's experiences, challenges faced, and perspectives they might bring to the classroom and broaden the pipeline.
• Mentorship Programs: Universities like Merrimack College and UMass Lowell have introduced mentorship programs, pairing minority students with senior mentors who guide and support them through their academic journey starting as early as the summer before their freshman year and through their senior year & capstone experiences.
• Summer Programs: Many institutions have created bridge programs targeting high school students from underrepresented backgrounds to help them transition from high school to college. MIT, UMass Dartmouth and Boston University have programs that work with K-12 students to expose them to the industry. UMass Lowell and Northeastern University even have programs to transition students from high school to college by exposing them to Introductory courses.

How Industry Firms can Support This Training and Education

ACEC/MA Member Firms have a vital role in shaping the future of engineering education. Some of the ways that firms can get involved:

• Bridging the Gap: Direct engagement with universities helps companies bridge the academia-industry gap, ensuring graduates are job-ready and aligned with the industry's evolving needs. Internships and co-op programs are a great way to enhance the relationship between university and industry. Member firms can also collaborate with universities to provide feedback on how to improve education and training to best prepare students for jobs.
• Fostering Innovation: Member firms can support students through the development of their capstone projects and participating in a Design Clinic at Smith College to expose students to real projects for real clients for example.
• Long-Term Investment: Engaging with universities in diversity initiatives is an investment. Companies get early access to talented individuals, fostering loyalty and potentially shaping them into future leaders. Companies can consider sponsoring pathway programs for diverse students, covering professional society dues, conference attendance, and even scholarships.

What can firms do to provide meaningful opportunities to the emerging workforce?

• Early Opportunity & Engagement: Create  purposeful Internships and Co-Op opportunities. Ensuring they are well supervised and provided comprehensive exposure to the field. Firms should consider offering opportunities to cohorts of student’s vs individuals from schools to facilitate engagement. Mentoring students through their experiences is key.
• Professional Licensure: Incentivize early career professionals graduating with an FE/EIT licensure. Firms can support universities by explaining to students the value and benefits of obtaining licensure early in their career.

The collaboration between universities and industry firms in advancing diversity is more than a trend; it’s a need of the hour. The future of engineering lies in tapping into all reservoirs of talent, irrespective of background or ethnicity. This event and the panelists highlighted the importance of sharing initiatives, strategies, collective vision and the steps being taken to actualize it. The journey might be long, but with such collaborative efforts, the future looks promising.