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A group of talented UC Santa Cruz MESA students connected with industry professionals in San Francisco during an invite-only STEM conference.
MESA’s Student Leadership Conference brought together hand-picked engineering and computer science students with industry to develop the next generation of STEM leaders. Held at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis, this year’s conference challenged students to design a product or service (in about 30 hours) aimed at addressing one of the United Nations Sustainable Development goals.
Baskin Engineering student participants included Alex Rojas, Andrea Arreortua, Christina Chan, Dante Lopez, Gabriel Garcia Gonzalez, Geraldine Pineda Vega, Gladys Garcia, Hennnessey Soto- Silvas, Hyab Isayas, Kimberly Camanero, Mira Saini, Sandra Siguachi Hernandez, Sebastian Aviles-Maya, Valeria Hernandez Melchor, and Victoria Choi.
The MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) program guides diverse students from underrepresented backgrounds into STEM education and careers.
Students had the unique opportunity to interact one-on-one and in small groups with company executives, engineers and recruiters. Many often leave the conference with connections that lead to internships and full time employment. Students networked, attended leadership and communications workshops, and a company expo in addition to the team challenge.
“MESA’s Student Leadership Conference provides an incredible opportunity for our community college and university students to gain invaluable career development skills to kick-start their STEM careers,” said MESA Executive Director Thomas Ahn. “Our students represent the skills, passion and potential that California desperately needs to enrich our workforce and strengthen our communities.”
This year’s sponsors include: Carollo Engineering, Keysight Technologies, Edison International, PG&E, Qualcomm, and Uber. Additionally, professionals from those companies and others volunteered their weekends to present workshops, host career fair tables and advise students with the team challenge.
MESA students attended the event from 46 community college, CSUs, UCs and private universities from across California.