For more than a decade, UScellular has partnered with Boys & Girls Club of America providing $1 million annually in funding. The funding has helped Clubs in UScellular markets close the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education gap by bringing STEM resources, training and experiences to kids in rural and underserved areas.
Always “Be Curious”
Ignacio Cabrera, UScellular lead service assurance engineer, understands the value, learning and opportunities that being a Boys & Girls Club member can offer a young student. From the ages of 10 to 14 years old, Cabrera attended the East Chicago Katherine House Club in East Chicago, Ind. The time spent at the Club helped Cabrera develop skills that he uses in his job today, including collaboration, coaching and staying curious.
“At the Boys & Girls Club I attended, they built a good foundation in me and my curiosity," said Cabrera. “They always said to ‘be curious’ and continue to try and develop yourself.”
From a young age, Cabrera knew he wanted to pursue a career in a STEM field. An enjoyment of math and science, combined with a fascination of how electricity worked helped put him on a path to pursuing a degree in electrical engineering at Purdue University in West Lafeyette, Indiana. He started out as a manufacturing process control engineer, then moved into the telecommunication industry where he’s worked for 24 years, moving from integration engineer to his current role as a service assurance engineer.
Cabrera notes the importance of having a supportive network throughout his engineering journey. Cabrera’s junior high math teacher and guidance counselor recognized his interest and aptitude for STEM subjects and helped him enroll in MITE (Multiethnic Introduction to Engineering), a two-week engineering program at Purdue University focused on minority students interested in STEM. The guidance and coaching style of a Boys & Girls Club counselor in charge of the woodworking program laid the foundation for Cabrera’s current management style and the process he uses on all of his projects. College study groups and tutors also were important to help Cabrera get through challenging and overwhelming course work.
“It’s important to always build yourself a good team around you to get through,” said Cabrera.
Cabrera also believes in giving back to the community who helped guide him and show young Hispanic students they can pursue a STEM career like he has. Over the past few years, Cabrera has helped at a Tulsa area Boys & Girls Club with UScellular’s Hispanic Heritage Month Art Contest, participated in a Boys & Girls Club career panel with other technology companies, and acted as mentor for young engineers involved in the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.
Learn how UScellular supports students in local communities get access to STEM education resources through its partnership with Boys & Girls Club of America.