Subject: SHPE, Engineers, Hispanic Organization
An open letter to SHPE
members:
I almost dropped out of
college in my first year. I was failing every single
class. My inner city, Chicago public school education was
failing me. I was ready to throw in the proverbial towel.
Today I am a CEO of a
multi-million dollar high-tech company with a Bachelors of
Science Degree in Electrical Engineering, an MBA, and I have
authored three books; the first one being, The Logic of
Success.
So what happened? SHPE
happened! Let me step back and explain. Within the first
few months of college I was struggling. I was failing
almost every mid-term exam that came my way. Chemistry? D
Calculus? D Physics? You guessed it, D.
I was depressed and felt lost.
One day as I sat in the cafeteria staring off into nowhere
trying to figure out my next move, a short, stout gentleman,
with a bushy mustache approached me. He introduced himself
as the Hispanic counselor for the university. His name was
Octavio Mateo. He asked me how things were going. I told
him, “Not good!”
After explaining what was
happening, he asked me to stop by his office to continue our
talk and that he might be able to help. Hell…that was
enough to pique my interest.
So later on that day, I
strolled across campus to meet Octavio. As I walked I kept
asking myself, “Now how could this guy possibly help me?”
and more importantly “Why does he want to help me?”
(Author’s note: I from
Chicago’s inner city, the ’hood, where no one helps you
unless they want something from you. So you can imagine my
suspicion.)
Octavio saw me coming across
the grassy knoll, greeted me at the door and invited me into
his office. The first question out of his mouth was, “Have
you ever heard of SHPE?”
“No.” I replied.
He then went on to explain
that it was a Hispanic organization comprised of students
pursuing engineering or technical degrees. As he was
explaining the benefits of joining SHPE, another student
walked into the office named Mario. Octavio introduced me,
“Victor, you mentioned you were having problems with
calculus. Mario is a teacher’s assistant for the Math
department who I’ve asked to help you with your coursework.
We also have other graduate students who would be more than
happy to help you with the other classes you’re having
problems with.” I didn’t know what to say. All I could do
was nod my head yes and pick my jaw off the ground.
Who could’ve imagined that
such an organization existed on campus! But more
importantly, who could’ve imagined that a Hispanic
organization of this caliber existed at all! The rest of my
college story is, as they say, history. It took me five
years to graduate, but I did it.
There are moments in our lives
that can only be appreciated in hindsight. I look back at
my encounter with Octavio as major event. To put it in
engineering terms so you get my meaning, it was an “inflection
point” where my success curve began to move in the right
direction with minimum degradation and oscillation.
SHPE is a great organization.
Wear your membership with pride. Now, as great leaders, I
want you to do me a favor. The next time you go pass the
campus cafeteria, I want you to stop and take a moment to
look around. If you see a young man or lady sitting alone,
staring off into nowhere with a confused and concerned look,
go over there introduce yourself and ask, “How are things
going?”
Make SHPE happen!
by Victor Antonio G.
Please feel free to
share this with a friend or colleague.
