BEYA mentorship program teaches students value of STEM
by Carmen Hills
DISA Strategic Communication and Public Affairs
Defense Information Systems Agency, Defense Enclave Services Executive Don Means mentors students during the Black Engineer of the Year Awards Stars and Stripes 10th Annual Youth Mentorship Program held earlier this year in Washington D.C.
An organization formed to celebrate the accomplishments of active and retired African American admirals, generals and members of the senior executive service held its 10th Annual Youth Mentorship Program earlier this year at the Washington D.C., Marriott Wardman Park hotel.
The Black Engineer of the Year Awards Stars and Stripes event offered a mentoring opportunity to approximately 450 African American high school and select college students from around the Washington area.
Over the course of the evening, each student attended three, 25-minute sessions where leaders from across the government and private industry, including Defense Information Systems Agency, Defense Enclave Services Executive Don Means, were on hand to offer information on STEM career paths, courses of study and the day-to-day realities of working in the field.
"It is an honor to give back to the younger generation,” said Means. “I have had mentors throughout my career who have shaped and motivated me, and being able to play that role for others is truly an honor. Not only does mentorship help the mentee, it also allows agencies like DISA to shape the future of our workforce, and tap into the innovation and energy those who are entering STEM fields bring to table.”
DISA Director, and Commander Joint Force Headquarters-Department of Defense Information Network, Navy Vice Adm. Nancy A. Norton sees value in shaping young minds.
“These students represent the future of our country and our workforce,” she said. “The opportunity to mentor young people is near and dear to my heart. A lot of our outreach and partnerships with schools focuses on institutions of higher learning, but grade school can be very influential in a young person’s development. I am proud that DISA has senior leaders, like Mr. Means, who share my passion for supporting and inspiring the nation’s youth.”
Many of the students who attended the event are already looking toward the future and the opportunities a career in STEM can provide.
Kyle Carter, a senior at North Point High School in Maryland and participant in the BEYA Stars & Stripes mentorship program for the past two years, said he finds a lot of value in having a mentor.
“They push you to be the better version of yourself,” said Carter. “They make sure that you are on the right path to success and that we don’t make the same mistakes that they did.”
Carter’s post-graduation plans include majoring in cybersecurity at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, a historically black university, on an Army ROTC scholarship.
Carter said he knew he wanted a career in STEM from a very young age and being part of the mentorship program is helping him to grow his knowledge of the field. His commitment to excellence in STEM-focused coursework has already reaped benefits — including acceptance into several top universities and earning more than $200,000 in scholarships.
There is an increasing need for students like Carter. According to the Department of Labor, STEM occupations are expected to grow at a rate of 8.6 percent over the next 10 years. Both private industry and government have found challenges in finding professionals with the necessary skillset to fill STEM positions. Mentoring provides a gateway for students interested in STEM to learn from professionals with a breadth of experience and combat that challenge.
“This experience has taught me more about the STEM field than any article I have read, or any event that I have been to,” said Carter “Being at an event where there are hundreds of people who have personal experience in the field that you are pursuing allows the opportunity for a wide variety of questions. I recommend that everyone, regardless of age, have someone who they look up to and talk to when they need guidance.”
Posted April 1, 2020