Student Organization Spotlight: Society of Women Engineers
The Society of Women Engineers strives to provide members with opportunities that will help them advance in the field of engineering.
Members are able to meet with various people from local companies, apply for scholarships, as well as have an impact on future women engineers through outreach events.
The organization's vice president, Abbi Entezari-Duncan, says SWE has a positive impact on its members by allowing them to make connections with women of all ages who share the same passion for math and science.
Why did you join the Society of Women Engineers?
I joined SWE because I am very passionate about female empowerment and encouraging females to pursue a male-dominated career field. Also, I knew the value of networking and wanted a resource to further my engineering career.
When it comes to finding new members for your organization, what type of students are you looking for?
SWE is open to all science, technology, engineering and mathematics career fields. It is predominantly an engineering organization, and therefore caters to all engineering disciplines. We are looking for mostly female engineers, but are open to male engineers and have a few male members.
When are your meetings and is there a membership fee?
Our meetings are currently biweekly from 6-7 p.m. on Thursdays in the Tehuanco Room 211 located in the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union, but will change to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays starting in November. There is a membership fee if you would like to reap the benefits of being a member, but you do not need to be a member to attend meetings or events.
Does your organization have any upcoming events?
SWE partners with Project Lead The Way to plan and host Girls Day Out once every semester. This year, Girls Day Out will be held Saturday, Oct. 8. Young females sign up to participate in a day engaging in a multitude of science, technology, engineering and mathematics activities that stimulate their interest to choose a STEM career field in the future.
SWE will also host its annual Evening of Professional Development from 6-9 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 19, in Montezuma Hall. This event is a career fair followed by a sit-down dinner with professional engineering companies and a professional engineering guest speaker. SWE also plans and attends networking events, résumé building workshops, and socials with other engineering organizations.
How can students find more information about your organization?
Students can find more information about SWE by visiting our website swesdsu.org, visiting our Facebook page or emailing any officer.
What SDSU faculty have had an impact on your organization?
First and foremost, our advisers Michelle Bunn and Susie Kirkland are so helpful with our networking and outreach events. Susie, being a part of the professional San Diego SWE chapter, greatly influences our exposure to many different contacts as well as companies. Michelle helps with SWE’s partnership with Project Lead The Way in order to encourage and introduce all types of science, technology, engineering and mathematics career fields to younger females.
