On May 16, Shannon C. Roberts received a doctor of philosophy degree in industrial engineering with a minor in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Roberts graduated from Parkway West High School in Chesterfield. She obtained her mechanical engineering degree from MIT in June 2009.
“People don’t go to graduate school to have fun; they go to enhance their career,” Roberts said. “Though graduate school is not easy, it is well worth it. Having an advanced degree places you among the best of the best. Moreover, at the end of the day, people will call me ‘Dr. Roberts.’ This title, as well as my education, is something that no one can ever take from me.”
She offered encouragement to younger students faced with conflicting social messages.
“Don’t be afraid to go against the norm to be good at math and science. Despite what people have told you, you can do it!” she said.
“It may seem hard at first, but no satisfaction comes from tasks that are easy. The math and science skills you develop in high school determine the caliber of your undergraduate education which, in turn, determines your career path. Make wise decisions early on, because they will definitely impact your future.”
Roberts will be starting her post-doc career as a Technical Staff member in the Cyber Systems and Technology Group at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) Lincoln Lab.
“I will continue to work on cutting-edge research that has implications for society,” she said. “I will continue to interact with young black scholars, whether that be as a mentor, a teacher, a professor.”
As an undergraduate, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) helped her to hone her engineering skills and interact with other black engineers from all over the country. As a graduate student, NSBE provided a means for her to recruit black engineers to attend graduate school.
“My attendance at NSBE conferences helped in deciding which graduate school to attend and led to many summer internships, as well as my future position at MIT Lincoln Lab,” she said. “If it weren’t for NSBE, I’m sure I would not have taken the same career path.”
“Dr. Roberts is an example of what young people in our community can do if they are focused and put in the hard work,” said Ronald Moore, Pre College director for NSBE in St. Louis.
“NSBE is a family-based organization. One core value is we help each other achieve their goals. We are proud of Shannon’s accomplishments; she will inspire many others to go to higher levels of achievement.”
What advice does Roberts have for those reading this article?
“Don’t ever underestimate the power of networking,” she said. “While it is true that performance is a strong predictor of success, having the right people in your corner will make your life a lot easier.”
Roberts will be recognized Saturday, July 12 at of the NSBE St. Louis Gateway Chapter’s 2014 Annual Scholars & Award Program at Washington University. Richard Marks, Ameren Illinois president and CEO, will be the guest speaker.
