By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com
The 2023 Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA) STEM Conference will return to the National Harbor at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on Feb. 9 through Feb. 11. The annual conference, known by the tagline “Becoming Everything You Are,” honors leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and features networking sessions, job fairs and keynote speakers across industries virtually and in-person.
Here’s a look at the line-up for the three-day event:
Thursday, Feb. 9
On Thursday, the conference will kick off with a session teaching participants how to decide what job is best for them and how to obtain an interview with an employer. The day will also include resume-writing and interview skills workshops. Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) will have the chance to learn how to cultivate relationships with predominantly White institutions (PWIs), seize federal funding opportunities, and identify research opportunities to capitalize on funding from the recently passed CHIPS and Science Act.
At night, the BEYA Leading Voices Summit will commence and introduce participants to the latest innovations from underrepresented tech companies, while celebrating technology milestones from HBCUs.
Friday, Feb. 10
Friday will explore how to overcome challenges in the workplace and across industries. One session will examine the infrastructure crisis in the U.S. and how companies and HBCUs can support the federal government with artificial intelligence, human capital and simulation solutions. Another will provide best practices for conflict management and resolution. Other sessions will look at the integration of cybersecurity into the healthcare industry, provide tips for being assertive in the workplace, explain the power of storytelling in video commerce, offer students strategies for positive study habits and aid participants in developing better time management skills.
Friday will also feature a career fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 11
The final day of the BEYA STEM Conference will begin with the HBCU Engineering Dean’s Recognition Event. It will also feature discussions about open-source software, the state of Black government contracting, navigating the post-pandemic workforce, leveraging leadership coaching for career advancement, best practices in business etiquette and the rise of the green economy. There will also be a career fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and networking sessions from 4 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. The conference will culminate in the BEYA Awards Ceremony where one esteemed Black professional will be honored as the Black Engineer of the Year.
Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member.
