GHD and Nonprofit Buffalo Engineering Awareness for Minorities Team Up to Offer Internships for High School Students
Six-Week Summer Internship Provides Students with Hands-On STEM Activities.
The Buffalo office of GHD, a global professional services firm and the Buffalo-area Engineering Awareness for Minorities (BEAM) have teamed up to offer a six-week summer internship program to ten students from Hutchinson Central Technical High School. The program begins on July 10 and is designed to introduce the students to a range of technical and professional experiences within the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines.
“Our relationships within the communities we serve are an important part of our ongoing success at GHD and what better way to enhance those relationships than to provide the next generation of engineers with resources and a professional network,” said John Davis, GHD Project Manager. “The program we created with BEAM provides opportunities for high school students interested in STEM disciplines to learn about our company and its people while teaching them skills that will support their future educational and career goals.”
With guidance and instruction from GHD’s engineering team, the students will learn about mechanical, chemical, civil, environmental and electrical engineering. Students will work on a variety of hands-on projects covering all engineering disciplines and will conclude with a final Pump Station Project. The program will include field trips and culminates with a presentation made by each student. The students also will learn professional skills such as business etiquette, networking, presentation techniques and the creation and maintenance of a LinkedIn profile.
“Engineering firms can influence the diversity of STEM college graduates by engaging with public school systems in communities of color to develop curriculum focused on professional development, careers in engineering, as well as the engineering school experience,” said US Congressman Brian Higgins. “These efforts provide insight for women and underrepresented minorities interested in STEM college majors and reinforces an understanding of the important contribution engineers make in society. With so many great challenges in the US such as aging infrastructure, energy, and water crises, engineering firm-centric internships for a diverse set of high school students will bring about innovation and relevant skill sets to solve these real-world challenges.”
The GHD Foundation is providing a grant for laptops and iPads for each student to use and keep. These will be used to build their online profiles and create their closing presentations.
BEAM’s partnership with GHD is invaluable preparation for students exploring careers in technical fields. The program allows students to work alongside engineers on hands-on projects and learn not only technical but professional skills that will provide them with lifelong resources to rely on for future endeavors.”
For further information please contact:
Glenn Oswald
Marx Layne & Company
goswald@marxlayne.com
313.418.1635
Matt Myftiu
Marx Layne & Company
mmyftiu@marxlayne.com
586.909.9857
About BEAM
BEAM is a nonprofit organization committed to building diversity in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields by encouraging, supporting, and preparing underrepresented students in the Buffalo area to pursue a career in a STEM or technical related field. BEAM programs are targeted toward the population of minorities and young women.