NSBE@UCI President and Honeywell Intern Chiyelum Nwagboso
Jan. 25, 2026 - Chiyelum Ashley Nwagboso is the president of the National Society of Black Engineers @UCI and has interned at Honeywell and Chevron. An electrical engineering senior who will graduate this spring, she helped NSBE grow from eight members to over 30. They won 2024 Best UCI Engineering Club and 2025 Best Small NSBE Chapter on the west coast.
What was the key to expanding NSBE@UCI?
We asked other clubs how they were able to build their club from the ground up and have a very tight knit community. We invited companies to network with our students. Our first Networking Dinner Night where 10 companies came out had a huge turnout. We really sought the interests of our members and collaborated with other clubs.
How did you get interested in engineering?
Mom is a pharmacist and Dad is an environmental engineer. Nigerians want you to be a lawyer, doctor or in STEM. I’ve always done well in math and science. When I was applying to college, I was really interested in AI and how it can help us. I’m interested in what pieces put things together to make advances happen which is what electrical engineering is.
Are you a minority in your electrical engineering department?
I was the only black female in electrical engineering my first two years at UCI but now I have two mentees who are too. In the beginning, it made me more hesitant to talk to people or ask for help. I felt like I stood out. But joining NSBE and finding a community where peers look like me and share my interests helped me feel more at ease and confident.
What encouragement would you give to other students?
Try to find a community within your major. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or meet people, and talk to recruiters and professionals. If I hadn't reached beyond my comfort zone, I wouldn’t have gotten my internships.
How did you get your internship at Chevron?
I got it through NSBE. I talked to a Chevron representative at an info session we were hosting. A couple of days later, I received an email saying they were interested in interviewing me. I got the Instrumentation and Controls Engineer internship the day after the interview.
Any tips for doing well in an interview?
My Chevron interview was my first ever interview. I reached out to Quincy Barnes who had finished his first SpaceX internship and he helped me with mock interviews for several hours a day on the weekend before the interview. The questions they asked were similar to what we practiced. Practice is important and having confidence when you speak.
How did you get your Honeywell internship?
I met a representative at a NSBE conference where I did an on-site interview. In my discussion with the recruiter, I shared that in my Chevron internship, I was able to generate an additional 500K/annual profit on a project and another 135K profit recovery on another one.
How were you able to do projects of such caliber?
I investigated what was going on with subject matter experts and used my knowledge from my classes and problem-solving skills. My main project was to install a flowmeter that would generate 500K in annual profit. My second project was to replace a malfunctioning control valve that had been unnecessarily venting steam into the atmosphere. I reached out to vendors and other engineers and made wiring diagrams for people to rebuild it
What did you do as an intern at Honeywell?
I was a Certification Engineering intern on the Regulatory Team. My main responsibility was making sure that all the functions of the fire alarm systems that were built were functioning well. I was able to do manual tests on those systems. I am fortunate to be interning at Honeywell again this summer.
What impact has your family and faith had on you?
I was born in Long Beach, but my family is from the Igbo tribe, where many are Christians. My name means “God’s gift to me.” I’m always thankful to God for any blessings that come my way. Keeping in God’s Word and reading my Bible helps me stay motivated and keeps me going.
Any special events for Black History Month?
NSBE and Black in Tech will host a panel and invite Black engineers and tech leaders to give career advice and answer questions from our members.
Any words for women in STEM?
Stay motivated. There will always be people who are on your side. You’re not alone. I believe in finding your own community at school or even on LinkedIn. We have a lot of expectations on us so it’s important for us to succeed.
