Philadelphia is gearing up to welcome thousands of dreamers, innovators, and technology leaders. From October 28 to November 1, the Pennsylvania Convention Center will host the National Convention of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), the largest gathering of Latinos in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in the United States.
With more than 15,000 attendees expected, the convention promises a dynamic experience filled with inspiration, learning, and professional opportunities. After more than three decades, the event returns to Philadelphia stronger than ever, reaffirming SHPE’s mission to empower and advance the professional growth of the Latino community. Over five days, participants will enjoy conferences, workshops, a job fair, and educational programs for all ages.
The event is open to professionals, students, and families with young people interested in STEM, inviting the entire community to discover new possibilities in the world of science and innovation.
Carmen Mercado: A story of inspiration and purpose
For Carmen Mercado, a mechanical engineer and SHPE member for more than 15 years, the organization not only shaped her career but it also changed her life. “When I was a teenager, I was good at math but didn’t know what to do with that,” she recalls with a smile. “My parents sent me to a SHPE conference in Washington, D.C., where I heard Hispanic astronaut José Hernández speak. It was as if a light switched on inside me. I realized I could become an engineer.”
That experience changed the course of her life. “No one in my family was an engineer, and we didn’t even really know what that meant,” she says. “But SHPE became my community — a family that helped me believe I could make it.”
Today, Carmen serves as an example for other young Latinos searching for their path in STEM. “There are so many talented people who simply lack opportunities or role models,” she explains. “That’s why it’s so important to expose them to these spaces — so they can see that there’s a place for them too.”
Beyond the convention
Philadelphia is also home to a local SHPE chapter, the Greater Philadelphia Chapter, which organizes year-round activities and mentorships for children, high schoolers, and college students. “We want to see more Latinos in these fields, especially here in Philadelphia,” says Carmen. “I dream of the day I walk into work and see more faces and names like mine.”
The SHPE National Convention is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of perseverance, community, and belief in Latino talent. In Carmen’s words, “SHPE showed me that the future can also speak Spanish.”
