The Engineering Experiences NSBE Unlocked for Me

#academics #studentgroups

As a senior Mechanical Engineering student at Rice with three internships under her belt, Claire, Martel '26, has both the skills and confidence to succeed and conquer the corporate world. But her path wasn’t always easy! Discover how resources at Rice helped shape her journey as a future mechanical engineer.

Professional Impact
As a freshman at Rice, I sent out hundreds of internship applications, hoping for any response that wasn't an automated rejection. It wasn’t until I joined the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) that I unlocked the mentorship, leadership, and professional opportunities that would ultimately define my path as a mechanical engineer.

Through NSBE’s Rice chapter, I gained access to resume workshops, grad school panels, mock interviews and engineering pathways discussions. These experiences helped me develop soft skills that aren’t always taught in my technical engineering courses. They’ve also taught me how to approach career fairs strategically, communicate my technical experiences, and network beyond the Rice community.

Large group of people in formal attire
Two girls posing in formal dresses

Beyond the Hedges
NSBE’s impact stretches far beyond Rice University. Through Rice, I’ve been able to attend two regional and three national conventions. My first conference, NSBE50 in Atlanta, Georgia, immersed me in a world I had never seen before. Meeting students and professionals from similar backgrounds reaffirmed that I have the skills and confidence to succeed in the STEM field. From Q&As with NASA Astronaut Victor Glover to technical engineering workshops, I was amazed by NSBE’s diverse collaboration of students, industry executives and faculty.

I was honored to be selected as one of the 24 Honeywell Integrated Pipeline Scholars during the conference. This distinction opened doors to mentorship opportunities from industry leaders. I was invited to intern at Honeywell in their Building Automation sector, where I analyzed precision airflow control systems for critical environments. But Honeywell wasn’t my only internship experience. I also worked at Case New Holland as a Quality Engineer on their skid steer line… I even learned how to drive one! 

Girl sitting in a large construction vehicle
Girl posing in front of large hands holding a cheeto

This past summer, I worked at PepsiCo as a supply chain engineer. Not only was I able to see how a Lay’s potato chip is made, I also sharpened my networking skills by connecting with NSBE’s PepsiCo chapter. These experiences allowed me to apply technical concepts from engineering coursework to real-world engineering problems.

Leadership
The most rewarding part of my involvement in Rice NSBE has been the opportunity to lead at the executive level. I began my journey as a member, but over the years, I have grown as:

  • Outreach Senator — I strengthened connections with the Houston community by hosting a blood drive with a local non-profit. 
  • Secretary —  I increased chapter engagement through weekly newsletters and additional social media presence. 
  • Vice President — I focused on e-board cohesion and strategic growth. I also coordinated sponsorships that allowed a record-breaking 35 Rice students to attend the 2025 regional NSBE conference.
Partially obstructed person watching girl speaking behind a podium
Three people with ID tags posing in a conference room

From my first semester to my most recent internship, the Rice chapter of NSBE has been my constant source of community and mentorship. While Rice’s rigorous curriculum built my technical foundation, NSBE provided the tools to thrive in a corporate environment. As I look toward my future career, I can’t wait to give back by serving as a mentor, just as Rice NSBE has supported me!

-Claire, Martel ‘26 (Published on 2/3/26)

SHARE

If you have an idea for a blog post or would like to write a guest post, fill out the Content Interest Form.

Keep Exploring

  • Side-by-side images; on the left side, a painted figure holds up their hands like wings; on the right, a young lady holds up her hands in a similar winged gesture
    Convivencia: Contributing to Change in Madrid

    As a Rice University student studying abroad in Madrid, I (Izzy L., Chao ‘29) spent six weeks navigating Spanish immigration law at my internship while exploring the country’s rich history of convivencia. This experience cultivated a deep sense of empathy within me while also providing a sharper critical lens to bring back to campus.

    #Academics, #StudyAbroad
  • Four girls standing in front of trees and an ornate building
    Une Chouette (An Owl) in Paris

    When I (Tamara L., Martel ‘29) was first considering studying abroad, the thought of moving across the globe felt exciting AND intimidating. The Rice in Paris program turned out to be a perfect three-week compromise, providing the support I needed to navigate a new culture while building lasting connections. Here’s how stepping out of my comfort zone changed my perspective on international learning.

    #Academics, #StudyAbroad
  • A girl standing in front of a research poster
    From Dreams to Reality: My Research Experience

    When I (Lexi O., Baker ‘28) was applying to college, I assumed getting involved in medical research was something that would take years to accomplish. But after my first year at Rice, that goal took shape sooner than expected. Here’s how I ended up working in an Alzheimer’s research lab in the Med Center.

    #Academics, #Houston, #Research
CALL

713-348-7423

EMAIL

admission@rice.edu

HOURS

M-F 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT