Engineering A Brighter Future

Last week was Engineering Week in the U.S. It doesn't get the attention of Heart Health Month or March Madness, but it's a great way to get more people exposed to engineering as a career. Because without engineers, there would be no Yadkin Project, bridges spanning the river, transmission lines, or even the electrical grid that supplies us power every day!

On February 23rd, members from the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) at North Carolina A&T State University visited Kernodle Middle School in Greensboro, NC and introduced nearly 150 7th grade girls to the fields of engineering.

As an engineer and an Alcoan, I'm proud to say that Alcoa was a part of this. It was partially funded by a corporate grant through Alcoa's Campus Partnership Program.  I think it's wonderful that the members of the SWE are willing to share information about the field of engineering, make young people aware of the opportunities in the engineering field, and share how people can contribute and achieve as engineers. Based on feedback that I've heard from events like this, I think it's a win-win situation - both good for the students and for the presenters.

In addition to corporate programs like the Alcoa's Campus Partnership program, our Alcoa Foundation gives grants to communities where Alcoa has locations. In fact, the Alcoa Foundation has donated over $4 million to non-profit organizations in North Carolina in the past 21 years. At this point, we are finalizing the 2011 contributions for Badin and the surrounding areas. Watch for more information as we announce our Alcoa Foundation contributions.