Entering college is a monumental moment for so many students across the world.
There are opportunities for personal growth, academic achievement and professional
development but for women pursuing such a male-dominated field, the journey can have
unique challenges.

This is where Wichita State's Society of Women Engineers (SWE) chapter can be quite the game-changer. Society of Women Engineers was established in 1950 and is a global
organization centered around empowering women to achieve their potential in engineering
and technology-related fields. With over 47,000 members worldwide, SWE provides a
robust network, resources, and support to advocate for women engineers no matter where
they are in their journey. And with their motto “Aspire, Advance, Achieve”, they do just
that.

At the college level, joining SWE can be a pivotal moment for many young engineers
to shape their professional and academic careers. At Wichita State, members can find a
wide range of benefits by getting involved.

• A Sense of Community: SWE creates a welcoming environment where women in
  engineering can connect, share experiences, and find mentors. Being part of SWE
  means you’re never alone - you have a community that understands and supports
  your goals.
• Leadership Roles: Wichita State SWE and national SWE provide numerous leadership
  roles, from organizing events for the chapter to representing WSU on different SWE
  committees. These roles not only build confidence but also prepare members for
  leadership positions in their future careers.
• Professional Development: Through workshops, conferences and networking
  events, SWE members build skills that go beyond the classroom. Resume building,
  interview preparation and industry exposure ensure that SWE members are
  career-ready upon graduation.
• Scholarship and Award Opportunities: SWE offers a wide range of scholarships
  and recognition awards to support and celebrate women pursuing engineering
  degrees. This financial aid can significantly alleviate the burden of tuition costs,
  allowing students to focus more on their studies and less on financial stress.
• Attend Conferences: These conferences bring together thousands of women
  engineers, industry leaders and students for days of inspiration, learning and
  networking. Whether it is WELocal or Nationals, there are plenty of keynote
  speakers, professional development, career fairs and networking opportunities.

If you are a student looking to pursue engineering, joining SWE can be life-changing.
For more information regarding SWE and the resources that we have to offer, please reach
out to swe@wichita.edu or visit swe.org to learn more about how SWE can support your
journey. Whether you’re looking for mentorship, professional development or a sense of
belonging, SWE offers all that and more.