Downie Grim III, an incoming Industrial Engineering graduate student and part-time soldier in the Army National Guard serving in the US Army signal corps, has a story that begins in a place where dreams often seemed out of reach for many —a small rural town with few opportunities for ambitious young minds.
The spark for engineering was ignited by his father, an industrial engineer.
His father's career provided a vision of what was possible, setting the stage for Grim's future pursuits. Despite the absence of robotics clubs or computer programming classes growing up, Grim's curiosity remained undimmed in terms of what he wanted to become and do.
Guarding His Goals
In 2020, Grim enlisted in the Mississippi National Guard, where he received an opportunity to receive free college tuition, where he took advantage and attended HBCU Jackson State University majoring in Industrial Technology.
“As a kid out of high school, I felt a little directionless, and joining the National Guard at a young age helped prepare me to be a more capable adult,” Grim reflected.
This experience was crucial in financing his education and instilling a sense of responsibility and precision that he carries into his academic and professional life.
Building a Supportive Network for Black Engineers
Arriving at Jackson State University (JSU), Grim discovered the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) chapter had dwindled during COVID and was no longer active.
Recognizing its potential, he took on the challenge of revitalizing the chapter.
“I had to recharter the club, and we started with five official members who were mostly my friends, but under my leadership, the club surged to over 90 students. It grew quicker than I could have possibly imagined.”
As a two-time president, Grim transformed the JSU NSBE chapter into a vibrant, supportive community, providing networking and development opportunities for its members.
After finishing his degree at JSU, Grim realized he wanted to continue his education – so, he began exploring his options.
Overcoming Limited Educational Resources
“I know what it feels like to grow up in an area that didn’t have the resources to show me what was entirely possible with my life. You only really know what’s within your perspective and what others did to make it in life”.
As a Focus Scholar, Grim had the chance to experience Georgia Tech before fully committing. The bustling city of Atlanta presented a stark contrast to where he lives in southern Mississippi, but the campus felt like a safe and welcoming environment with a lot of enjoyable activities to explore.
“It was so beautiful and lively in terms of the many amenities and activities the campus has to offer." Grim also noted that when you came with questions, it was easy to find answers and resources on campus.
“The Focus Scholar program helped me decide Georgia Tech was the next right step for me.”
Grim's Ambitions Extend Beyond Career Success
He plans to create a non-profit organization to help children, especially those from rural areas, discover and understand the opportunities available post-graduation in the field of STEM. His vision is to provide resources and guidance that he wishes had been available to him throughout his journey.
Reflecting on his journey, Grim stresses the importance of exploring all available opportunities – encouraging others to seek out new experiences in order to connect with others.
“Sometimes you don't realize all your opportunities, and potential if you aren't willing to step outside your comfort zone."
