For George Mason students, joining the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) is not only about belonging but also about building a career. Each year, the SHPE chapter sends a delegation of students to the SHPE National Convention, a multi‑day event that blends professional development workshops with one of the largest career expos in the country. In fall 2025, George Mason SHPE students traveled to Philadelphia, where conversations with recruiters turned into interviews.
“It was my first exposure to networking, and I really appreciate having the opportunity to go,” said sophomore Sergio Vargas Aguilar. “I met a lot of people who gave me referrals to organizations I didn’t even know about. Leaving that conference made me more motivated to get experience and prepare for the next internship cycle.”
Students returned with interviews from companies such as Honeywell. One member even received a job offer from Mortenson, a national construction firm, after connecting with recruiters at the expo. “Seeing my chapter getting interviews gave me fuel to try more,” said Aguilar. “It showed me I was in the right community.”
For first‑year students, the experience can be especially eye‑opening. Anthony Lizarazu Ampuero, a first‑year student and executive intern with the chapter, said the convention offered an immersion into professional culture.
Over several days, students moved through workshops focused on essential career skills, from crafting elevator pitches to navigating behavioral interviews.
“Every day I was learning something new,” said Ampuero. “Every moment was an opportunity to talk to someone new who lives hundreds of miles away, with backgrounds different from mine.”
Beyond the convention, SHPE reinforces that growth on campus. The organization hosts professional development events, including resume reviews and recruiter‑led workshops, while also offering social events designed to build community and support student well‑being. This spring, the chapter is planning employer visits from Exelon and DelTek.
“We want to make sure our members feel prepared when opportunities come,” said senior Melissa Guadalupe Ruano Abzun. “That means more professional events and more chances to practice talking with recruiters.”
With nearly 500 registered members, SHPE offers a space where students can build friendships, gain confidence, and connect with opportunities that shape their futures.
As recent graduate Jahayra Lizbeth Guzman-Rivas put it: “If you’re looking for somewhere you can feel supported—not just academically but also socially—then SHPE is the organization to join.”