2015 Scholarship Winners
Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship
Emelyn Venturini
Emelyn Venturini, a senior civil engineering student at FIU, won the SFWTS Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship. Emelyn is now a graduate student of the NCTSPM Internship program.
1. How did this scholarship help you in your career goals?
The scholarship helped me a lot in feeling accomplished and confident to graduate and look for the job of my dreams. The scholarship not only awarded me with a great prize that helped me out financially, but it also gave me exposure to my future employers and it opened the doors to my dream job. It is amazing to think that my future employers were invited to the event where I received my award, just as many other companies, organizations, and agencies. All these important people in the transportation industry saw me getting recognized for all my accomplishments as a student and saw me obtaining this important scholarship, which at the end attracted them to me and made my job hunt that much easier.
The scholarship is not only a great award in terms of financial benefit, but it is great exposure to the real world, real employers, and helps you come into this amazing field of transportation recognized by your peers. In conclusion, it is always a great idea to apply to scholarships that are smaller and targeted to a specific field of study because this increases your chances and also attracts employers to you by giving you exposure which ends up being a great first entrance to the real world after college
2. What did the scholarship mean to you?
The scholarship to me meant accomplishment and seeing all my hard work being recognized. It not only gave me the confidence I needed to look for jobs right when I was about to graduate, but it also made me stand out from my graduating class and made my family and important people in my life proud of me.
3. Will you recommend this scholarship to your peers/classmates?
I would recommend this scholarship to everybody. This scholarship gives you a great chance to stand out and it allows you to get recognized with your future employers. Small scale and specific field of study scholarships are, in my opinion, opportunities that allow you to grow in many more ways that just financially and are therefore very worth the time of applying and writing essays
4. Have you been involved/active in the South Florida WTS Chapter? If not, will you and how?
I have not signed up for WTS yet but I’m planning on doing so this following year because I know it’s a great way to socialize and network which helps you professionally as well as personally. I tried getting involved and helping out with a holiday party but it didn’t work out, so hopefully next year I’ll be able to participate more and be involved after signing up and being an official member of WTS.
Helene M. Overly Memorial Scholarship
Samaneh Khazraeian
Samaneh Khazraeian, who is also our current President and previous Executive Board Member, has won the Helene M. Overly Memorial Scholarship from South Florida WTS (SFWTS).
1. How did this scholarship help you in your career goals?
This prestigious award adds a lot to my resume. Having this award in my resume helps me to find a better job in future. I got exposed to a lot of transportation professional in the award luncheon that I believe can help me in my future career. I believe one of the most important factors in getting a good job is who you know in your field of study. What’s more, in order to be successful in my future career, a lot of preparation not only in my specific field of research but also in general skills that improve my performance and efficiency such as programming skills are needed. This scholarship gave me the opportunity of taking programming courses which I could not afford. All in all, this award means a lot to me.
2. What did the scholarship mean to you?
I believe question 1 and 2 have the same answer.
3. Will you recommend this scholarship to your peers/classmates?
Of course! I will definitely recommend this scholarship to every eligible woman. This is great opportunity that for female students
4. Have you been involved/active in the South Florida WTS Chapter? If not, will you and how will you?
Yes. I have participated in several SF WTS meeting and events. I am a part of SFWTS mentorship program as well. I would like to be even more active than before.