Past Events from 2016-2017
Leveraging Professional Certification & Grants
On Friday, April 21, 2017, the Professional Development Committee hosted this event at the Courtyard by Marriott Lyndhurst from 6 - 8 pm. SWE NJ members had a great time learning about four different professional certifications, PMP, PE, Six Sigma and IT Architect over light food and beverages. There was some excellent discussion from our presenters about the details and challenges of obtaining certifications, but also the benefits within industry of having them. This workshop was FREE for all attendees!
A big thank you to SWE NJ members Vishwa Shah, Anne Salazar and Virginia Mayo for speaking and/or providing content for our event!
SWE NJ is still offering grants for up to three members to obtain a certification! Visit the "Certification Grant" tab to learn more and to fill out the application. Weight will be placed on applicants who attend this workshop.
On Friday, April 21, 2017, the Professional Development Committee hosted this event at the Courtyard by Marriott Lyndhurst from 6 - 8 pm. SWE NJ members had a great time learning about four different professional certifications, PMP, PE, Six Sigma and IT Architect over light food and beverages. There was some excellent discussion from our presenters about the details and challenges of obtaining certifications, but also the benefits within industry of having them. This workshop was FREE for all attendees!
A big thank you to SWE NJ members Vishwa Shah, Anne Salazar and Virginia Mayo for speaking and/or providing content for our event!
SWE NJ is still offering grants for up to three members to obtain a certification! Visit the "Certification Grant" tab to learn more and to fill out the application. Weight will be placed on applicants who attend this workshop.
Princeton University Panel: Perspectives of Women in STEM, Navigating Relationships, Family, and Career
On Thursday, April 13, 2017, the Graduate Women in Science and Engineering (GWiSE) leadership committee at Princeton University held this panel. They discussed...
On Thursday, April 13, 2017, the Graduate Women in Science and Engineering (GWiSE) leadership committee at Princeton University held this panel. They discussed...
- choosing the career that that is right for you
- pursuing your goals and aspirations while accommodating the needs and desires of your partner and/or family
- making compromises
- establishing support networks
- the importance of developing verbal communication and writing skills as a STEM professional.
Workshop for TCNJ Collegiates
On Thursday, April 6, 2017, the Collegiate Relations Committee presented tips on how to find an internship along with other professional skills related to the collegiate-to-career transition. Two SWE NJ professional members facilitated a dialogue with TCNJ collegiate members to share best practices and general advice over dinner (7 - 8 pm).
On Thursday, April 6, 2017, the Collegiate Relations Committee presented tips on how to find an internship along with other professional skills related to the collegiate-to-career transition. Two SWE NJ professional members facilitated a dialogue with TCNJ collegiate members to share best practices and general advice over dinner (7 - 8 pm).
Stages of Your Career
This was a panel discussion on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 in Edison, NJ! Our four panelists answered questions regarding career transitions and challenges over light food and refreshments, and there was some very engaging discussion amongst attendees. We all left with some fresh ideas to integrate into our daily lives to better understand and handle challenges which arise over the course of our careers.
This was a panel discussion on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 in Edison, NJ! Our four panelists answered questions regarding career transitions and challenges over light food and refreshments, and there was some very engaging discussion amongst attendees. We all left with some fresh ideas to integrate into our daily lives to better understand and handle challenges which arise over the course of our careers.
A big Thank You to our SWE NJ panelists for their time and insight! See their bios below.
Collegiate Member Transition Event
On March 25, 2017 from 11:30am - 1:30pm SWE NJ's Membership Committee hosted a Transition Lunch and Networking event at Cai's Cafe in Metuchen, NJ. Ten professional and collegiate members joined us to welcome graduating seniors to the professional section, and explain to them some of the events that were planned this year. We also had an engaging discussion on career development, and opportunities for internships and were able to raffle off some great SWE swag!
On March 25, 2017 from 11:30am - 1:30pm SWE NJ's Membership Committee hosted a Transition Lunch and Networking event at Cai's Cafe in Metuchen, NJ. Ten professional and collegiate members joined us to welcome graduating seniors to the professional section, and explain to them some of the events that were planned this year. We also had an engaging discussion on career development, and opportunities for internships and were able to raffle off some great SWE swag!
Hudson County Science Fair- Judging
Every year, SWE NJ hands out awards to three lucky young women at the Jersey City Medical Center/RWJ Barnabas Health STEM Showcase. Two SWE NJ attended the Science Fair on Monday, March 13, 2017 at Liberty Science Center starting from 9:30 am to judge several awards from local middle and high schools.
Every year, SWE NJ hands out awards to three lucky young women at the Jersey City Medical Center/RWJ Barnabas Health STEM Showcase. Two SWE NJ attended the Science Fair on Monday, March 13, 2017 at Liberty Science Center starting from 9:30 am to judge several awards from local middle and high schools.
Princeton Plasma Physics Lab Technical Tour
SWE NJ had a wonderful time at the Princeton Plasma Physics Lab for an evening tour. on Thursday, March 9th at 6pm. Nine members attended the tour and we had 3 wonderful tour guides who were all engineers at PPPL, and they gave us an introduction to plasma, and taught us about the history of plasma physics research and the PPPL itself. They then took us on a tour of their facility, including the controls room and fusion vessel itself, and had us participate in some hands-on, simple activities involving plasma. The tour was rewarding and educational for all participants!
SWE NJ had a wonderful time at the Princeton Plasma Physics Lab for an evening tour. on Thursday, March 9th at 6pm. Nine members attended the tour and we had 3 wonderful tour guides who were all engineers at PPPL, and they gave us an introduction to plasma, and taught us about the history of plasma physics research and the PPPL itself. They then took us on a tour of their facility, including the controls room and fusion vessel itself, and had us participate in some hands-on, simple activities involving plasma. The tour was rewarding and educational for all participants!
Region E Conference & Governor's Choice Award
The Region E Mid-Atlantic Conference was held this year in Syracuse, NY from February 24-26. Both of our section representatives, Virginia Mayo and Christine Stahlecker gave presentations.
The Region E Mid-Atlantic Conference was held this year in Syracuse, NY from February 24-26. Both of our section representatives, Virginia Mayo and Christine Stahlecker gave presentations.
The Governor's Choice Award recognizes a section that has a best practice which aligns with the Society's goals of Professional Excellence, Globalization, and Advocacy. This year, NJ SWE won this award because we have been working hard to provide a support system that services the needs of our members and to build an active community with a growing membership. We combined both a professional development event and a networking opportunity by hosting "Bring your Mentor to Happy Hour" and watching the TED Talk "What it takes to be a great leader." The event included discussions on the consequences of risk-taking versus remaining comfortable as well as the importance of fostering diversity within an individual's' network as a critical factor of success. We'd like to congratulate our Professional Development Committee Chair, Samantha, for hosting a fantastic event and earning this award as a section!
An Evening of Engineering for Girls
In honor of National Engineers week (February 19-25, 2017) and National "Introduce a Girl to Engineering” Day (2/23/17), Bayonne High School and NJ Society of Women Engineers Presented An Evening of Engineering for Girls on February 23rd, from 5:30 - 8:00 pm. The event featured a light dinner, guest speakers, hands-on activities and demos. There were 48 girls in 7th and 8th grade, 24 adults, and 12 high school students (4 female, 8 male) in attendance. The activities included the following:
- Lighting up compact fluorescent bulbs with a plasma globe
- Building cardboard block catenary arches
- Building gear trains and cranks form a kit
- Testing "world's smallest motors," a coil/magnet/battery device which turns the coil
- Programming Lego EV3 models (4 basic bits and laptops featured drag and drop Labview Lego software)
- Fold-A-Patented-Paper-Airplane session with copies of a US patent on how to fold a particular type of paper airplane to see who could do it.
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WE Local Pittsburgh
Three of our NJ SWE members--Erika Solomon, Evelyn Fairman, and Erica Green--presented a session at WE Local Pittsburgh on Friday, February 17, 2017. Their session focused on how to make SWE your constant as you transition from collegiate to career. They answered questions about making friends in a new state, crafting a personal brand, and coping with change. Check out the All Together blog for more information. |
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NJIT Lightning Talks
The New Jersey Institute of Technology SWE Section invited SWE NJ to support their February Business Month with a series of Lightning Talks on Monday, February 13, 2017. Loraine Huchler, President of MarTech Systems, Inc., offered advice for "entrepreneurs in hiding" and shared a video of her accepting the 2012 SWE Entrepreneur Award. Mary Jo Egbert, owner of DynoVelocity, explained her various jobs post-graduation that led to her success today. Zubia Mallick, a recent graduate pictured at left, spoke about the pros and cons of large & small firms. |
Career Night at Union County Magnet High School
SWE NJ hosted an outreach event at Union County Magnet High School on Thursday, January 12th from 6-8pm. Parents and 25 students learned about SWE, SWENext, our career path, and what it means to be an engineer. After the presentation, the students worked in groups of five and built robotic arms out of craft materials. A big thank you to eight of our volunteers for joining us Thursday night and making the event a huge success!
SWE NJ hosted an outreach event at Union County Magnet High School on Thursday, January 12th from 6-8pm. Parents and 25 students learned about SWE, SWENext, our career path, and what it means to be an engineer. After the presentation, the students worked in groups of five and built robotic arms out of craft materials. A big thank you to eight of our volunteers for joining us Thursday night and making the event a huge success!
Annual Holiday Party & Charity Drive
Our Annual Holiday Party and Charity Drive was held on Tuesday, December 14, at Fiore's in Morristown, NJ. We had such a blast networking with our fellow SWEesters over a delicious Italian dinner, meeting new SWE members, and wearing our favorite ugly sweaters to compete for a prize. We raffled six prizes during our party and lucky winners received gift cards, wine, or chocolate baskets. We also collected non perishable food items for a donation to Community Food Bank of New Jersey. We collected six boxes worth of items - a HUGE thank you to everyone who donated! A special thank you to the Cullen Company for supporting our event!
Our Annual Holiday Party and Charity Drive was held on Tuesday, December 14, at Fiore's in Morristown, NJ. We had such a blast networking with our fellow SWEesters over a delicious Italian dinner, meeting new SWE members, and wearing our favorite ugly sweaters to compete for a prize. We raffled six prizes during our party and lucky winners received gift cards, wine, or chocolate baskets. We also collected non perishable food items for a donation to Community Food Bank of New Jersey. We collected six boxes worth of items - a HUGE thank you to everyone who donated! A special thank you to the Cullen Company for supporting our event!
Media Club - December Virtual Meeting
On Tuesday, December 8th, the SWE NJ Media Club kicked-off their event with a discussion around the TED Talk "How to Make Work Life Balance Work" by Nigel Marsh. This meeting was held virtual by using a conference call service, allowing members from all over the state of NJ to come together from the comfort of your home to discuss on how we can balance personal/family time and work. Discussion topics included setting and enforcing boundaries, how to approach balance in a "balanced" way? (intellectual, spiritual, emotional, fitness, etc.) and defining a time frame for your interpretation of balanced life. If you have not signed up to join the Media Club, please visit our website to sign up - it's not too late! Members of the Media Club will have access to the Discussion Forum page.
On Tuesday, December 8th, the SWE NJ Media Club kicked-off their event with a discussion around the TED Talk "How to Make Work Life Balance Work" by Nigel Marsh. This meeting was held virtual by using a conference call service, allowing members from all over the state of NJ to come together from the comfort of your home to discuss on how we can balance personal/family time and work. Discussion topics included setting and enforcing boundaries, how to approach balance in a "balanced" way? (intellectual, spiritual, emotional, fitness, etc.) and defining a time frame for your interpretation of balanced life. If you have not signed up to join the Media Club, please visit our website to sign up - it's not too late! Members of the Media Club will have access to the Discussion Forum page.
Rutgers SWE Panel Discussion
On Tuesday, November 29th, the Rutgers SWE Collegiate section invited us to participate in breakout sessions with their members. We had enough volunteers from NJ SWE to form teams that could address certain questions for the students. For example, we had a Rutgers Alumnae, Work-Life-Balance-with-Children, and 25+ Years-of-Experience team, among others. We were also invited to lead a discussion on women in the workplace and how to combat gender roles, as well as how to become leaders in male-dominated fields, so the NJ SWE Collegiate Relations Committee provided the Rutgers SWE section with a handout full of useful resources and advice. Rutgers SWE won the 2017 Outstanding Collegiate Section at the Region E Conference, partially as a result of this event!
On Tuesday, November 29th, the Rutgers SWE Collegiate section invited us to participate in breakout sessions with their members. We had enough volunteers from NJ SWE to form teams that could address certain questions for the students. For example, we had a Rutgers Alumnae, Work-Life-Balance-with-Children, and 25+ Years-of-Experience team, among others. We were also invited to lead a discussion on women in the workplace and how to combat gender roles, as well as how to become leaders in male-dominated fields, so the NJ SWE Collegiate Relations Committee provided the Rutgers SWE section with a handout full of useful resources and advice. Rutgers SWE won the 2017 Outstanding Collegiate Section at the Region E Conference, partially as a result of this event!
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Girls on the Run 5K Fundraiser
Girls on the Run is a transformational learning program for 8- to 13-year-old girls. Coaches teach life skills through dynamic, conversation-based lessons and running games. On Sunday morning, November 20th, as one of the sponsors for the race, SWE NJ showcased interactive demonstrations with a hydraulic, robotic arm and a catapult for the 5K participants. Despite the chilly weather, we had some interested SWEsters. Our Outreach Chair, Erica Green, participated in the 5K run! Go Erica! |
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Bring Your Mentor to Happy Hour with SWE NJ
SWE NJ hosted a Bring Your Mentor to Happy Hour Networking Event on November 11, 2016 from 6:30-9:30pm at Season's 52 in Edison, NJ. Sixteen members and guests mingled over hors d'oeuvres and drinks before watching a Ted Talk by Rosalinde Torres, “What it takes to be a Great Leader”. Attendees then engaged in small group discussion regarding the content of the talk, as well as questions posed for the listener at the end of the talk. Discussion topics included risk taking versus comfort, as well as the importance of recognizing diversity measures as a critical area for success in an individual's network. SWE NJ won the 2017 Governor's Choice Award at Region E Conference as a result of this event!
SWE NJ hosted a Bring Your Mentor to Happy Hour Networking Event on November 11, 2016 from 6:30-9:30pm at Season's 52 in Edison, NJ. Sixteen members and guests mingled over hors d'oeuvres and drinks before watching a Ted Talk by Rosalinde Torres, “What it takes to be a Great Leader”. Attendees then engaged in small group discussion regarding the content of the talk, as well as questions posed for the listener at the end of the talk. Discussion topics included risk taking versus comfort, as well as the importance of recognizing diversity measures as a critical area for success in an individual's network. SWE NJ won the 2017 Governor's Choice Award at Region E Conference as a result of this event!
WE16 - SWE NJ Dinner Invitation & Boutique Sales
SWE's Annual Conference, WE16, was held in Philadelphia, PA from Thursday, October 27 - Saturday, October 29. We had a great attendance at dinner on Friday night with our SWE NJ members who were attending WE16. We ate at Maggiano's Little Italy and thoroughly enjoyed a social night out as a group.
SWE's Annual Conference, WE16, was held in Philadelphia, PA from Thursday, October 27 - Saturday, October 29. We had a great attendance at dinner on Friday night with our SWE NJ members who were attending WE16. We ate at Maggiano's Little Italy and thoroughly enjoyed a social night out as a group.
We also sold our boutique items during the conference. In fact, we completely ran out of cardigans!
CODE: Debugging the Gender Gap
The Morristown High School featured a documentary screening, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A on underrepresented minorities in STEM with professionals in the field of coding. SWE NJ served on the panel to speak to the issue of gender inequity in engineering and computer science, with a focus on learning from and inspiring one another. This event took place on Thursday, October 6, 2016 from 7 - 9 pm.
The Morristown High School featured a documentary screening, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A on underrepresented minorities in STEM with professionals in the field of coding. SWE NJ served on the panel to speak to the issue of gender inequity in engineering and computer science, with a focus on learning from and inspiring one another. This event took place on Thursday, October 6, 2016 from 7 - 9 pm.
Networking & Mentoring at Stevens Institute of Technology
On Tuesday, September 27, 2016, the Collegiate Relations Committee attended a Stevens SWE Collegiate Section General Body Meeting. We reviewed Networking 101, Elevator Pitches, and Resume Building with collegiate members. There was excellent attendance by our professionals despite the late night (9 pm) event in Hoboken. It was clear that the students truly valued the diverse perspective that each of our members were able to provide.
On Tuesday, September 27, 2016, the Collegiate Relations Committee attended a Stevens SWE Collegiate Section General Body Meeting. We reviewed Networking 101, Elevator Pitches, and Resume Building with collegiate members. There was excellent attendance by our professionals despite the late night (9 pm) event in Hoboken. It was clear that the students truly valued the diverse perspective that each of our members were able to provide.
SWE NJ Annual Kick Off Event
On Wednesday, September 14, 2016, SWE NJ hosted our annual kickoff speed networking event at Camillo's in Sayreville, NJ. Following a family style dinner, the attendees participated in three-minute speed networking conversations with everyone in attendance. We reviewed upcoming events for first half of this fiscal year. We saw a few new faces and reconnected with some members we hadn't seen in awhile.
On Wednesday, September 14, 2016, SWE NJ hosted our annual kickoff speed networking event at Camillo's in Sayreville, NJ. Following a family style dinner, the attendees participated in three-minute speed networking conversations with everyone in attendance. We reviewed upcoming events for first half of this fiscal year. We saw a few new faces and reconnected with some members we hadn't seen in awhile.
Brunch with Princeton SWE
We had an unbelievable turnout at this Collegiate Relations event on a Sunday in early September at Agricola's Eatery (11 Witherspoon St., Princeton NJ). So many students from the Princeton SWE section came that we actually had to turn women away because the venue was at capacity! The food was delicious, the conversations were interactive, and the event was very productive in allowing the two sections to get to know one another. Hopefully we will return to Princeton over the Spring 2017 semester for a professional development event.
We had an unbelievable turnout at this Collegiate Relations event on a Sunday in early September at Agricola's Eatery (11 Witherspoon St., Princeton NJ). So many students from the Princeton SWE section came that we actually had to turn women away because the venue was at capacity! The food was delicious, the conversations were interactive, and the event was very productive in allowing the two sections to get to know one another. Hopefully we will return to Princeton over the Spring 2017 semester for a professional development event.
Wine & Webinar - Silencing Your Inner Critic
On Thursday August 25, 2016, the Professional Development Committee hosted it’s first event of the year, a Wine and Webinar Event on Silencing Your Inner Critic. The event was held in two locations--Carteret and Neptune--and a video conference was utilized so that everyone could communicate and watch the webinar simultaneously. Attendees had a short networking session, an hour long webinar, and an hour long interactive discussion following the webinar. The webinar included individual activities where attendees worked through what their inner critic specifically “looks” like, and learned techniques for understanding and handling the inner critic. Attendees also shared their own experiences with silencing the inner critic, and challenges and strategies that worked well for them personally.
On Thursday August 25, 2016, the Professional Development Committee hosted it’s first event of the year, a Wine and Webinar Event on Silencing Your Inner Critic. The event was held in two locations--Carteret and Neptune--and a video conference was utilized so that everyone could communicate and watch the webinar simultaneously. Attendees had a short networking session, an hour long webinar, and an hour long interactive discussion following the webinar. The webinar included individual activities where attendees worked through what their inner critic specifically “looks” like, and learned techniques for understanding and handling the inner critic. Attendees also shared their own experiences with silencing the inner critic, and challenges and strategies that worked well for them personally.
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