Keith Boykin – Classification 4EG, Mechanical Engineering, Step Up XII

I won’t lie, I was forced into the program by my parents, but I knew the reason was so I could successfully transition into the college of engineering coming from high school. STEPUP provided me a tremendous amount of networking opportunities that allowed me to meet important individuals within academia and industry. I was able to make the Dean’s list my freshman year. I received, and kept an internship with Lockheed Martin for 4 consecutive summers and would eventually receive a full time offer from them. I was able to become an active member within NSBE by being appointed Treasurer for 2 consecutive terms. Also, I was able to mentor other Step Up students that followed our Step Up class. The program is built for students to be successful in all areas of their personal development. It introduces you to a network of great friends, faculty, staff, and corporate employers. The success of this program has tremendously increased the number of minority graduates within the college of engineering and also their ability to find employment post graduation. Because of the connections I made made through the program I will be graduating with an offer of employment from one of the companies I was introduced to as a freshman in the STEPUP program.

Kimberly Gant, 2EG – Industrial & Systems Engineering, STEPUP XV

The STEPUP program was a wonderful experience and very beneficial to my academic career in the college of engineering. Participating in STEPUP allowed me to have opportunities that not many incoming freshman students would have. I networked with upperclassmen engineers who guided me in the right direction and interacted with renowned faculty that many freshman would not have the opportunity to meet until their later years. STEPUP is a family that motivates you and wants you to succeed in everything you choose to accomplish. Being involved with the STEPUP program allows you to be two steps ahead of the rest by being prepared for events such as career showcase, workshops, and interviews.

This program always strives to perfect your professionalism and interview skills so you can be able to communicate and network with different companies. Since my participation in STEPUP, I was blessed to have an internship with Southern Company. All of the skills I learned in STEPUP continue to benefit me to this day. I can honestly say that if it wasn’t for STEPUP, I would not be a student in the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering today. STEPUP gave me that motivation and showed me that if people before me can achieve this goal, then I can as well. If you are a first year student who want to learn beneficial skills to succeed in the college of engineering, stand out among the incoming freshman by being ahead of the game, and gain relationships with people that you will share a bond with forever, STEPUP is the program for you.

Jairo Gonzalez, 3EG, Industrial & Systems Engineering, STEPUP XIII

I was born and raised in Miami and my family is of Nicaraguan descent. I decided to participate in the SU Program because I was not sure that high school had prepared me to become an engineering student. Also, I wanted to make sure that my math and science skills were up to date. I benefited in numerous ways by participating in the program whether it was in or out of the classroom. The program offered me the experience to live on campus, attend classes taught by university faculty and SU mentors, go on manufacturing plant tours where I had the opportunity to meet professional engineers who were more than willing to provide helpful insight, gain awareness of what an engineering student needs to be successful, and most importantly gained self management skills.  Since completing the program, I feel that I have accomplished many of my goals. That being said, without the program I don’t think I’d be where I am today. Those goals include an outstanding GPA, summer internships (every summer since the program), executive board positions in student organizations, self management skills, and a sense of accomplishment.  I would highly encourage any first year student to participate in the SU program because in only six weeks I was taught the essentials necessary to become an engineer. Also, the guest speakers, professional engineers, and mentors of the program provide the participants with a general idea of how to fill a resume that will in the long run earn paid internships and most importantly a job, upon graduation. Nevertheless, it is up to the participants to put the time and effort. This program provides its participants with an idea of where to begin the journey to success!

Jarl “Thomas” Young, II, 5EG, Industrial & Systems Engineering, STEPUP XII

I was blessed to have two parents and two cousins graduate from the University of Florida. I decided to participate in the STEPUP program because I knew what it took to be a successful engineering student and STEPUP equipped me with the essentials to be able to accomplish my goal. STEPUP was beneficial to me because I learned how to manage my time wisely and work with other aspiring engineers. I also gained an understanding of how important it is to maintain a routine study schedule. Since participating in STEPUP, I went on to be a STEPUP mentor and successfully completed two internships. I would encourage any first-year student to participate in STEPUP because it will be an experience you will never forget. I met my best friends and current roommates in STEPUP. STEPUP teaches you life skills that are essential for everyone looking to be successful in and out of the classroom. Engineering is not something you can do alone…the STEPUP program trains you to accomplish engineering with the help of others.

Aura Cruz, 3EG, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, STEPUP XIV

I had a huge advantage over many freshmen [students] because I knew the campus better than anyone else. I knew where all of my classes were going into the first day of classes and I was also able to help my friends find their classes. Not only was STEPUP helpful around school, but I was also allowed a networking experience I have never had before. The top eight students that completed the program successfully were chosen to be in a mentor program with engineers from Kraft Foods Company. The program consisted of monthly calls which were on topics revolving around our careers: how to handle interviews, the do’s and don’ts of career fair, and most importantly information on what an engineer does in the real world. I was happy to remain in contact with Kraft and talk to them whenever they came into campus. My mentor also helped me with my resume, which was very important for career fair. I was fortunate enough to get an interview for an internship with Kraft and I ended up getting a six month co-op. I believe this is one of the most important steps to becoming a successful engineer: to have internship experience before going into the real world.  Since the program, I have been able to deal with one of the main concerns of every college student, time management. During STEPUP, we were filled with activities from 7:15 AM until 9:00 PM, and throughout the day we were given time slots to complete our homework assignments. I learned the hard way, of course, by staying up late nights and telling myself I would not do that again. The following semester, I began working on my time management so that I would not have to “pull all-nighters” and stay up all night working on assignments and studying. I believe this is an important part of every successful college student’s career. I have met many engineering majors that regret not being part of the SU program because we gained so much knowledge and most importantly became a family. The 29 other students that were in the program with me will always look after one another, help each other with classes, and share information on internships. Any student that has the chance to apply should do it and they will realize that the six-week intensive engineering program is going to be their best college experience. I will never forget the friendships I made and the acquisitions I have gained through networking.

Derick Diaz, Mechanical Engineering, 5EG, STEPUP XII

I decided to participate in the STEPUP program after hearing one of the program director’s describe not only the benefits of the program, but the challenge as well. The program was described as an intense 6 week academic boot-camp, that propelled its members into the upper echelon of the student population. Feeling that I could rise to the challenge, I joined the program. First and foremost, I gained a family of fellow students, who all banded together to get through the program. Also, STEPUP prepared me to be a step ahead of the competition with its grueling class schedule and top level instructors. Finally, completing the STEPUP program made my first year at UF seem like a walk in the park, it gave me an experience to share with company recruiters, and it exposed me to all that the University of Florida had to offer. Since then, I became President of a student organization, had an internship every summer since my freshman year, and now, have a full time job with a Fortune 500 company, all thanks to STEPUP.