2024 Project Connect participants: Elik Tek (TAMU), Reece Winmond (Morgan State University), Tawfik Osman (ASU), Abhay Samant (NI, PC Organizing Team), Mitch Plaisir (FAMU/FSU, PC 2023), Vaiva Markevicius (UIC), Carlos Diaz Jacobs (USF)
For the last 11 years, the IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium (IMS) has been the host event for the noteworthy outreach enrichment activity, Project Connect (PC). PC is a program that aims to broaden participation in the field of wireless/microwave engineering in partnership with the Education Committee of IEEE MTT-S. Financial support comes from the Society`s flagship conference, industry partners, federal agencies in the United States, and private donors. Organized by a committee of volunteers from academia and industry, PC takes place annually in conjunction with the IMS. The goal is to provide students with exposure to industry and educational opportunities and the chance to learn about graduate school and pathways through career advancement.
Project Connect is an immersion program that is interleaved with the technical and networking activities of the IMS and professional development for the student cohort. The program is designed to ensure the best possible experience for the students, including networking with key members of the IMS and MTT community and interacting with like-minded peers within the Project Connect cohort. The students are expected to commit to full participation in the PC activities, and this comes with a certain amount of effort that is designed to enrich the student outcomes. They are intentionally not given responsibilities for supporting the conference through activities such as being student volunteers or mentors for other students. The only deliverable expected of students is a video presentation that describes the unique interests and experiences that excited and educated the members of the student teams during the program.
Thanks in large part to the incredible support from the IMS organizing committee and dozens of engineering professionals who share their time and knowledge with student participants, the impact of the program has been awesome. In its first 11 years, there have been 187 student participants who were either undergraduate or graduate students from one of 45 different universities. The ethnic and gender demographics of the student participants are notable — at least 55% female participants and 77% students of color. 94% of respondents strongly agree that Project Connect is a valuable professional development experience, and 55% maintain contact with their peers/fellow participants after the event.
Even more outstanding is the fact that PC students pursue graduate degrees at 3- to 4 times the national average in the United States. Of the 49 students in the 2014-2020 cohorts who received their BS degrees at least 1 year after participating in Project Connect, 49% have completed a master’s program and 12% are in or have completed a Ph.D. program. Moreover, the current professional positions of the 2014 – 2022 cohorts are predominantly in the RF/microwave/wireless field and graduate school.
Perhaps the best proof of the Project Connect model is that former student participants are now practicing engineers and academic faculty who are leading the organizing committee. Thus, it seems that Project Connect will continue connecting a diverse community of students with the RF/microwave field, one cohort at a time.
Rosalind Agasti, University of Oklahoma, Rhonda Franklin, University of Minnesota; Enrique Gonzalez, Qorvo; Rashaunda Henderson, University of Texas at Dallas; Netra Pillay, Skyworks Inc.; Heena Rathore, Texas State University; Abhay Samant, National Instruments; Jena Staab, National Instruments; Alex Stutts, Apple; Tom Weller, Oregon State University
One Response
Nice learning experience!