In November, the Oregon State University student chapter of Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics sent a delegation of nine members to the oSTEM national conference in Anaheim, California.

There, they joined more than 1,200 other LGBTQ+ students, professionals, and recruiters in STEM fields from across the country and internationally.

The four-day conference featured keynote speakers, workshops, poster presentations, and a career fair. Attendees found plentiful opportunities for networking, professional development, and sharing personal experiences in a supportive and festive atmosphere.

The Engineering Student Council provides funding for experiential learning activities by student organizations like oSTEM, including participation in regional and national conferences and competitions. Unrestricted donations to the College of Engineering support these and other activities that help provide vital student experiences.

Jacob Field, a senior in electrical and computer engineering, says attending the national oSTEM conference made a huge impact on him personally.

“I think one of the biggest things was just seeing so many queer people who are also in STEM,” said Field, who uses the adjective queer inclusively, to describe himself as well as others in the LGBTQ+ community. “There was a panel hosted by some engineers from a well-known, large company who were all queer. Seeing so many people with identities like mine, in different stages of their careers, was inspiring.”

Student affinity groups like oSTEM strengthen inclusivity within the College of Engineering by providing space for members to share their experiences and receive support and encouragement from their peers. This can help to bolster students’ confidence and determination, Field says.

“It can be really, really isolating to be queer in a STEM field, and that makes learning and succeeding difficult,” Field said. “Finding our club really helped me start to feel like I belonged and was noticed and wanted at Oregon State. Finding a group I could relate with not only helped me personally, but also helped me stay in school and stay motivated to do well.”

Field says attending the national oSTEM conference reassured him he’d made the right choice in pursuing engineering.

“Going to a conference where we focus not just on being queer and the challenges that can bring, but also just how to be a better engineer and professional in general, was really helpful,” he said.