Inspired. If I had to choose one word to describe my experience at WE19, that would be it. My experience at WE19 in Anaheim, CA was very impactful and I came out of it with a new mindset on my studies and identity. Being surrounded by female engineers from UNM and from around
the nation really made me feel like I was part of something bigger: the movement to bring more women into engineering.
This is my first year in SWE and my first conference, so I came in with very few expectations and a drive to participate in everything I possibly could. When I first arrived at WE19, I was very intimidated. Everybody around me was dressed professionally and looked like very, very smart people. At first I didn’t feel like I fit in, but as the conference went on, I realized that there were many people who, like me, were at their very first conference and others had felt the same way
during their first conference. I gained more confidence talking to people, and it helped me attend workshops and presentations without any hesitation. Once I found out that there were people like me at WE19, I felt more like the people I saw as well and it created a very inclusive and supportive environment for engineers to explore possibilities in their field.
the nation really made me feel like I was part of something bigger: the movement to bring more women into engineering.
This is my first year in SWE and my first conference, so I came in with very few expectations and a drive to participate in everything I possibly could. When I first arrived at WE19, I was very intimidated. Everybody around me was dressed professionally and looked like very, very smart people. At first I didn’t feel like I fit in, but as the conference went on, I realized that there were many people who, like me, were at their very first conference and others had felt the same way
during their first conference. I gained more confidence talking to people, and it helped me attend workshops and presentations without any hesitation. Once I found out that there were people like me at WE19, I felt more like the people I saw as well and it created a very inclusive and supportive environment for engineers to explore possibilities in their field.
The workshops and presentations offered at the conference covered a wide variety of topics, from mansplaining, the effects of saying “sorry” too often, making your phone into a fitness tracker, to engineering your wardrobe for success. They were targeted towards female engineers and all STEM professionals as well. Each talk I attended was engaging and fun. I took something away from each presentation to keep in mind for the future. These talks made me think, “Wow, that’s interesting! I need to make a note of that for later”, “I’ll need to do that for my next job search,” and “I believe I can get to where that person is too.” The presentations and
speakers supported engineers at all levels and I feel everyone was influenced in one way or another.
speakers supported engineers at all levels and I feel everyone was influenced in one way or another.
Another wonderful experience of WE19 was rooming with other engineers. Most of my usual friends aren’t engineers, so it was a change hanging out with students in similar areas of study. They were funny, kind, enthusiastic, and extremely supportive. My WE19 experience would not have been as much fun without them. Knowing that these young women are studying at the same university as I am made me proud to be part of the UNM School of Engineering and motivated me to succeed in tough courses. They helped me see that I can study difficult subjects and still thrive. Thank you, Angela, Kayli, Mary, and Katherine, for showing me how amazing intelligent engineers can be.
Recently I had been feeling more and more doubt about
whether I am smart enough to even continue majoring in
Computer Science (Imposter Syndrome, anyone?). But the women I heard and saw at WE19 motivated me to continue pushing through. I want to pursue my degree not only to be one of the women who enter into that field but also to inspire others to do the same. The conference made
me realize how much of an impact female engineers, including myself, can have on society and
on other people.
whether I am smart enough to even continue majoring in
Computer Science (Imposter Syndrome, anyone?). But the women I heard and saw at WE19 motivated me to continue pushing through. I want to pursue my degree not only to be one of the women who enter into that field but also to inspire others to do the same. The conference made
me realize how much of an impact female engineers, including myself, can have on society and
on other people.
It was a great honor to attend WE19 and I hope to be able to attend WE20 next year. I witnessed many present and future successful engineers that inspired me to study hard and
reach for my dreams. I hope everyone else who attended came out a new person as well, as engineers who live, learn, and lead.
Mari A.
reach for my dreams. I hope everyone else who attended came out a new person as well, as engineers who live, learn, and lead.
Mari A.
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