For the second installment of Involved at NIU, I observed a weekly meeting of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), and the Association Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales (AIESEC).

Society of Manufacturing Engineers

SME’s meetings take place 5 p.m. Wednesdays in Still Hall room 102. For this meeting, SME brought in Robert Lossi, chairman of the Chapter 5 Society of Manufacturing Engineers, who mainly spoke about job prospects for student engineers.

One of the benefits of SME is it is not only a student organization but a professional organization as well. This allows SME to have a Rolodex full of helpful contacts and the inside track to a number of conferences and expos.

Certainly, knowing your career field has around 670,000 job openings would you put you in a better mood. I only wish I, a political science and psychology major, had the same optimism.

SME president Salvatore Palazzolo, senior manufacturing engineering major, said about the benefits of SME connections to the professional world: “As a student we get to see different technologies and learn various principles, but SME gives students an outlet to see the application of those technologies and principles and network with students and businesses that share a specific focus.”

If you are undecided as to your major, you should consider pursuing an education in engineering. But do not take my word for it, go to a SME meeting and see for yourself.

Association Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales

AIESEC may have a confusing name, but the purpose of the organization is clear: networking and jobs.

AIESEC is the world’s largest student organization, with over 60,000 members in more than 110 countries. With such a colossus of an organization behind it, it is no wonder than AIESEC is the most high energy group I have observed so far.

The meeting opened up with a group dance. Sitting alone watching this, I felt as if I had been flash-mobbed. After the performance, the actual meeting started.

AIESEC is broken down into six different groups each with their own function, so every member has an opportunity to test their skills by spearheading a project.

If you are unaware, this week at NIU is International Week. On Friday, AIESEC ends the week by hosting a Global Village in the Barsema Hall Atrium from 6 to 11 p.m.

Taking the lead on this project is Bhumi Kakadia, junior marketing major and member of AIESEC. Kakadia explains what the Global Village will entail: “We will have food tasting from 14 countries that our membership represents, as well as a demonstration of a traditional dance from those countries.” Kakadia said AIESEC will also offer internships from each country as well as a DJ and dance party starting at 8 p.m.

President Hamad Aldawod, a senior industrial engineering major, best sums up what AIESEC does for its members by telling what AIESEC has done for him: “I grew as a person, my leadership and public speaking abilities have greatly improved, and I have a better understanding of the world.”

With the organization’s business structure, focus on interpersonal communication and team building, AIESEC should be a must for any business or marketing major; however, all students who value diversity, have a global perspective and an interest in international internships should join as well.

AIESEC meetings are 6 p.m. Thursdays in DuSable 240.

If you are in an organization that would like to be highlighted in an upcoming issue of Involved at NIU, email me at [email protected] the time, date, and location of meetings, along with a brief description of your organization.