Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

SWE Conference 2022 in Houston, TX

I joined the Society of Women Engineers my freshman year at the University of Tennessee (2020–2025) and stayed involved throughout all five years of college. SWE was far more than a student organization for me; it was where I found mentors, gained leadership experience, gave back through outreach, and built lifelong connections with peers who shared my passion for engineering.

Mentorship & Community

My SWE journey began with the SWEeties mentorship program, where I was paired with an upperclassman who helped me navigate my first year as an engineering student. In later years, I transitioned into the role of mentor, guiding underclassmen through coursework, career decisions, and even the everyday challenges of balancing college life. Mentorship became one of the most rewarding aspects of SWE for me.

I served as an Aerospace Ambassador, a role focused on connecting the aerospace members of SWE. I organized casual events—like pottery painting and office hours—that created space for aerospace students to bond, exchange advice, and strengthen our sense of community within the broader SWE chapter.

Collegiate Leadership Institute (CLI)

SWE Conference 2023 in Los Angeles, CA

I also applied and was accepted into SWE’s Collegiate Leadership Institute (CLI), a national program that provides collegiate members with year-round leadership development opportunities. Through CLI, I attended workshops, speaker panels, and networking sessions designed to build confidence, refine communication, and prepare for leadership in STEM careers.

CLI gave me tools that I carried directly into my SWE roles and internships. I learned how to give and receive feedback effectively, manage group dynamics, and communicate my value in professional settings. Just as importantly, I was able to connect with SWE members across the country, broadening my network beyond my own campus.

SWE Conference 2023 in Los Angeles, CA

Outreach & Leadership

As a sophomore and junior, I became the Parent & Marketing Chair for Tomorrow’s Engineers Today. This program invites elementary, middle, and high school students to the University of Tennessee for a day of STEM activities, lab tours, and panels.

In my role, I handled communications with both schools and parents, ensuring families felt connected and informed. I also organized a parent panel, featuring engineering students and faculty to help parents understand what pursuing engineering at UTK looks like. Balancing logistics, marketing, and communication taught me valuable lessons in event planning, leadership, and professional communication.

National Conferences

SWE Conference 2024 in Chicago, IL

Some of my most memorable SWE experiences came from attending the national conferences in Indianapolis, Houston, Los Angeles, and Chicago, with New Orleans on the horizon as my fifth. Each conference gave me the chance to meet recruiters, attend professional development sessions, and hear from leaders in engineering.

These events also directly impacted my career; through SWE conferences, I secured internships with Honeywell Aerospace and GE Aerospace.

Reflection

Looking back, SWE shaped my college journey in countless ways. It provided me with mentorship when I needed it most, gave me opportunities to lead and give back, and connected me to a broader community of women in engineering. Through programs like CLI, outreach initiatives like Tomorrow’s Engineers Today, and experiences at the national conferences, I developed both technical and professional skills that have prepared me for the next stage of my career.