PCEC News
GVSU Society of Women Engineers Members Shine at the WE23 Conference
November 01, 2023
The "Live Without Limits" WE23 Conference, hosted by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), was the largest gathering of women in engineering and technology in 2023 hosting about 17,000 individuals at the Los Angeles Convention Center in California. SWE, is an influential organization that makes engineering an appealing career choice for women through training programs, development initiatives, networking, scholarships, and outreach activities.
The WE23 Conference featured educational sessions, panel discussions, a career fair with around 300 exhibitors, and other special activities spanning three days.
For PCEC Engineering students Casey Kramarcyzk, Emily Sherry, Lily Adrysiak, and Hailey Siwek, the WE23 Conference offered a valuable opportunity to expand their personal networks and grow the GVSU SWE club network. It also served as an avenue to gain new insights, explore various career paths, methods, strategies, and solutions by participating in the numerous sessions offered. A highlight was Lily Andrysiak's selection for mentorship from the sector vice president and general manager at Northrop Grumman during a raffle at a conference luncheon panel event, with many other networking opportunities also arising.
Hailey Siwek, President of the GVSU SWE network, shared, "It was a unique experience to join with other passionate individuals pursuing similar studies and careers, all dedicated to supporting each other in shared experiences. Overall, the WE23 conference was an uplifting, educational, and community-building event that provided career and networking opportunities."
The GVSU SWE chapter's mission is to promote engineering as a rewarding career option for all students and encourage women to achieve their full potential. They aim to connect SWE members with the West Michigan community through networking events, service opportunities, group field trips, and educational outreach. Participation in the WE23 Conference was a valuable step toward achieving these objectives.