Empowering the Next Generation: Black Senior and Young Professionals Shaping the Future

Alex, Jasmine and Ilisel bring their best selves to work by reflecting on their personal and professional values and goals, delivering their best in terms of mindset, time and work quality, while balancing work with personal life. They also seek support from others when facing challenges and are intentional and open about addressing personal and professional challenges head-on.

Alex: "I bring who I am, what I am and what I can do to the table every day to prove to myself that I am capable."

Jasmine: "I bring my best self to work by first reflecting and asking myself every morning when I get up, “What is my why?”… I am intentional with the work I do, …that help[s] me circle back to those same values and goals. Ensuring that I balance my personal/social life with work enables me to bring my best self to work. By having conversations with my managers, peers and being vulnerable…about what personal/professional challenges I go through as a woman of color, allows me to handle the issues head on rather than sweeping them under the rug."

Ilisel: "I take hold of what is in my control and deliver the best that I can each day. That includes: my appearance, my mindset, my time and the quality of my work. I reflect on the origin of my expectations and dial back when it takes a toll on my mental health. On some days, when I need support, I reconnect with individuals and ERGs that remind me that I am not alone in facing technical, professional and I&D challenges."

Ilisel: "I take hold of what is in my control and deliver the best that I can each day. That includes: my appearance, my mindset, my time and the quality of my work. I reflect on the origin of my expectations and dial back when it takes a toll on my mental health. On some days, when I need support, I reconnect with individuals and ERGs that remind me that I am not alone in facing technical, professional and I&D challenges."

Alex, Jasmine and Ilisel encourage Black YPs to take initiative, be vocal and confident in their passions and goals. Jasmine suggests, "getting comfortable being uncomfortable" and thinking outside the box to explore different opportunities. Ilisel advises challenging the standard way of doing things and stepping up to voicing thoughts on areas in the industry that can be improved. They all emphasize the importance of making individual contributions for overall impact.

Alex: "I advise them to take the initiative and be more vocal about opportunities that come their way. As Black YPs, society has implicitly suggested where we should be. If this field is what you’re passionate about, then don’t limit yourself and be confident. Continue working hard even if no one looks like you, and be that model for the next generation."

Jasmine: "By placing myself in “uncomfortable” positions, asking “uncomfortable” questions and steering away from my fears of being shy has placed me in positions that I have never even dreamed of before. Be sure to think outside the box and navigate this dynamic field while shining your personality through your work. Even if you have an ideal end goal for yourself, do not be afraid to go a different route to explore potential outlets for your dreams."

Ilisel: "Challenge the standard way of doing things. Many different areas in the industry are left as-is and are copied over, time and time again without question. If there is an area in this industry that impacts you and you see ways to improve it, step up and voice your thoughts. Your individual contributions may lead to slow change but overall great impact."

The YPs all credit family members and role models for inspiring and motivating them in their careers. Alex was inspired by his older brother who became a software engineer, Jasmine was motivated by seeing Black women in STEM fields. And both of Eric’s parents are engineers.

Alex: "I was inspired by my older brother who became a software engineer. In our family, we became the only two to continue to higher education. He laid the foundation for me, to work hard and not limit yourself just because of where you come from."

Jasmine: "Having the opportunity to see Black women as doctors, scientists and construction workers meant the world to me because I knew that could be me one day. Despite the negative depictions that social media or society may paint me to be, Black STEM professionals have always guided me to use my adversities as motivational tools to obtain my dreams."

Eric: "My parents, both of whom were engineers, were often one of the only few people of color among their peers and had to pave their own path to succeed in a field where Black representation is so scarce. They instilled a strong work ethic and resilience in me, and through their example broadened my horizons of careers that were within my reach."

Black YPs face challenges in the engineering industry due to underrepresentation and societal stigmas that devalue their skills and worth. Despite some progress in increasing the representation of Black individuals in the field, there is still a need for improvement, especially in senior leadership and management roles. Microaggressions are still present and require increased resources and training to dismantle. The recent increase in representation has been inspiring for young professionals, but more needs to be done to ensure a more inclusive and supportive work environment.

Alex: "As Black YPs, our environment changes as soon as we begin work and become professionals. In this industry we can be underrepresented, but that does not mean we should be undervalued. The stigma that society places on Black professionals impedes our development. Knowing our skills and worth will help our industry change in the future."

Jasmine: "This industry has become progressively inclusive and has ensured to showcase Black and Brown individuals in the STEM field throughout the media over the last few years. Therefore, my generation and the following have been more exposed to individuals of color being trailblazers since my childhood, and I love it! From seeing little to no representation to having full documentaries of women of color that have made an impact on the movement has been truly rewarding and inspiring!

As for microaggressions, they still take place. I would love to see increased resources for underrepresented groups that experience microaggressions. Training and having meaningful conversations on how to dismantle this issue would go a long way for the industry."

Eric: "While there has been improvement of Black representation in the engineering space, there is still progress to be made. I’d like to see more representation overall, especially in senior leadership and management roles. I think this would go a long way in encouraging more Black young professionals into entering this industry, but also enable current Black employees in the field to feel more comfortable and freer to take initiative in the workplace."

Alex believes he can contribute to the future of GHD by improving his technical skills and being involved in the community. He wants to set a solid foundation for others and celebrate Black history by working hard. Jasmine volunteers with organizations that support Black young professionals entering the engineering field and with environmental/social justice groups addressing issues affecting Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. Eric Bose is a source of inspiration for young Black individuals, encouraging them to consider a career in the STEM field by presenting to students on opportunities and his journey.

Alex: "I believe I can contribute to GHD’s future by developing and enhancing my technical skills while being involved with our communities. For Black History Month we celebrate the past, present and future of our people. I strive to work hard to set a solid foundation for others that may follow after me."

Jasmine: "I love to volunteer for organizations I’m passionate about, like the National Society of Black Engineers. I was an active member throughout my undergrad and held various leadership positions in my chapter. Fast forward three years later, I continuously reach back to my alma mater by donating to the chapter and visiting my beloved HBCU to discuss professional development opportunities and career paths. It is crucial to help Black YPs enter the profession and break barriers by establishing the pipeline by making sure they have the support they need to succeed after graduation. I also volunteer with environmental and social justice organizations that address issues that disproportionately affect BIPOC communities. Being able to be a voice allows me to fight for my community and others that reflect it. Equity, race and the environment are components that play a factor in my life every day. By exposing and building discussions on the problems that revolve around these three elements can drive solutions to make a difference in the world."

Eric: "By being an engineer, I am a source of inspiration for young Black individuals to know that a career in the STEM field is within reach. Over the past few years with BEATS, I have presented to students on the opportunities in this space and on my own personal journey with the intention of changing perspectives on what is possible."