Global Integration, Local Impact - One Black Engineer's Mission to Empower the Disenfranchised in STEM Careers: Meet Arthur Antoine
Each February, GlobalMindED is honored to celebrate Black History Month by highlighting influential black voices. We are delighted to share Arthur's story below and to introduce you to him in person at GlobalMindED's Ten Year anniversary event, where he is participating to share his work.
What is your personal story?
I have over 20 years of experience as a Civil Engineer and Project Manager in construction and engineering. As an academic I have conducted extensive research in my field of passion, making significant contributions to the body of knowledge on project delivery methods, in particular collaborative project delivery methods.
I hold a BSc. degree in Civil Engineering from the University of the West Indies (Trinidad & Tobago), an MSc degree in Ocean Engineering from Texas A&M University (College Station, TX), and completed a PhD in Civil Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder. Although I had already migrated to New York right after completing community college on my home island of Saint Lucia, I value that I returned to the Caribbean to pursue my first degree in my home region and culture. Throughout my career, I have worked for multinational engineering consultants tasked with civil engineering and project management duties in all stages of project lifecycles.
My journey has made me realize the worth of STEM education. As a result, I remain a strong proponent of STEM education, particularly for under-represented minorities. In this regard, I continue data-based research and advocacy to help our local BIPOC and our increasing influx of foreign students and migrant professionals’ integration into the US STEM workforce.
What key moments in your life led you to where you are today?
I believe three factors contributed greatly to my academic and professional journey. Firstly, during my Bachelor’s degree, I was fortunate to have interned with a renowned UK consultant company that was based in Saint Lucia during my summer breaks. However, those “internships” were, at that time, mandated as voluntary by my Mother who insisted that I approach the company to volunteer my time and learn the ropes of a civil engineer. Consequently, I had a full-time role as a civil engineer waiting for me after graduation. It turned out to be a great experience working for a large company and getting to live/travel throughout the Caribbean to work on infrastructure projects.
Secondly, after completing my Master’s degree at Texas A&M, I just could not secure a job in the US. I joined the line of international students and foreign professionals who struggle to find jobs at a suitable level in the US STEM workforce despite having substantial qualifications and experience. As a result, I returned to the Caribbean to continue my professional journey.
Thirdly, after progressing my career with consultants in the Caribbean and working for a multilateral development bank as the sole engineer on a portfolio of disaster mitigation projects, my academic vocation led me to search for schools to pursue my Ph.D. My goal was to study skills that could be applied to enhance the practices of my home region. Thankfully, the University of Colorado Boulder stood out as a top choice because of their faculty’s experience in my research interests in procurement and project delivery.
Where does your passion to serve come from?
Simply put, I love people and I thrive from the daily interactions, conflicts, collaborations, and diverse perspectives offered by everyone I meet. Collectively, these experiences truly enrich every aspect of my work and personal growth.
Another major reason for my passion is my experiences growing up in a small island developing state with a single-parent mother who was determined to make the sacrifices necessary to see her son accomplish academic and professional success. As the first college graduate in my family, I really never had a professional or personal mentor until fairly recently. In hindsight, I could see how further along I could have been academically, professionally, and even entrepreneurially if I had access to the right mentors at earlier stages of my journey.
As such, I often selflessly volunteer my time as a mentor and academic or career coach with local BIPOC students and our New Americans (foreign students and migrating professionals) who aspire to integrate into the US STEM workforce as professionals.
How can GlobalMindED help you reach your goals?
I admire the work done by Global MindED, from diversity to professional development training, social equity, and in creating an inclusive success network of like-minded individuals, all are critical needs.
I would value being a part of the network and prospective partnership with such a renowned organization as I continue data-based research and advocacy to help our BIPOC and our increasing influx of foreign students/professionals’ integration into the US STEM/AEC workforce.
