There is a continued concern regarding the retention of women and minorities in engineering and technology career fields. While there has been an increase in the overall baccalaureate degree production in engineering and technology for both groups, the percent of women and minorities graduating with engineering and technology degrees has remained low[1]. A plethora of activities have been employed at the university level to increase the recruitment and retention of minorities and women in engineering and technology majors including summer bridge programs, scholarship programs, innovative teaching strategies and peer mentoring programs [2]. Despite these efforts, current research by the Center for Work-Life Policy indicates that more than half of women who enter science, engineering, and technology careers leave and never return to these careers [3].  Reasons for this exodus include a hostile macho work environment, feelings of isolation, the need for risk-taking, and time-intensive positions that compromise work-life balance [Rampell, center for work life].
This issue is particularly acute for African-American women as they represent a double minority and the dual disparities they may experience are often overlooked or not considered.

The goal of the Professional Development Workshop Series is to create and maintain a well established networked infrastructure to support the academic and professional growth of current and future students in the College of Engineering (COE).   Specific objectives include:

• Students will learn leadership strategies and effective networking strategies
• Students will learn how to seek and establish mentoring relationships and the importance of community involvement
• Students will learn how to increase their marketability and how to sustain a healthy and progressive career

To date, three professional development workshops (PDW) have been conducted.  The topics covered included: breaking the glass ceiling, leadership skills for engineers, the importance of soft skills, balancing technical and non-technical skill development, project management, creating a growth plan, career options, and the importance of mentoring. Copies of the PDW can be accessed by the links below.

Partnering with industry, government, and academia is  critical to the success of the workshop series and other professional development activities.  Representatives from industry, government, and academia have served as workshop presenters and point-of-contacts at their respective organization when the organization submits their Corporate Solicitation Packet. A partial list of partnering collaborators is provided in Table 1.

PVAMU SWE would like to acknowledge the financial support received from the ExxonMobil Foundation, the National Society of Women Engineers Professional Development Grant Program DR# 251.