Social Hour: September 28th Networking Mixer with Eaton: September 22nd
WE22: October 20-22nd
Awesome News! We Won More Awards!
The SWE Pittsburgh Section was selected to receive four SWE Mission Awards! This is the most we’ve ever received at one time!
Mission Award Gold
Strategic Goal #1 - Best Practice - Professional Development
Strategic Goal #1 - Best Practice - SWE Resource Promotion
Strategic Goal #2 - Best Practice - Global & Multicultural
The Mission Awards recognize SWE groups that embody SWE core values and demonstrate continuous improvement and growth as they work to achieve the Society’s strategic goals.
Our submission in the Professional Development category featured our virtual Professional Development Day with the in-person networking dinner that evening. In total twenty-six people attended the day of the event and rated the event an average of 9.7/10. The submission also mentioned the industry tour of the Turner Construction project at the EQT building and the networking opportunities we provided for members to meet others at similar career levels (entry level, mid-career, senior employees, and retirees).
Our submission in the SWE Resource Promotion category featured our Spring General Body Meeting where we shared the Leadership Competency Model. The submission also mentioned our use of training from the SWE Advance Learning Center for our new officers, the “Promote Your Event” form we use to invite SWENexters to our Outreach events, and the “Pick Your Own Webinar” session we held.
Our submission in the Global & Multicultural category featured the continuing global connection and relationship we have with our "SWEster" city, SWE Chennai, India Affiliate. We organized a virtual round-table discussion where SWE Pittsburgh members met SWE Chennai members for a fun-filled cultural exchange event. The submission also mentioned Deepika Devarajan’s visit to the Chennai SWE office when she was in India, and the Indian cooking class we ran as a fundraiser.
Thanks and congratulations to the 84 SWE members who attended at least one of our SWE Pittsburgh events last fiscal year. It is because of you that we are an active, vibrant section, worthy of these awards!
Bowling Recap
On August 27th, our members met up for a social event at Arsenal Bowling! We’re looking forward to more in-person events throughout this year.
September Social Hour
Join us for a virtual social hour on Wednesday September 28th at 7pm! This will be a self-care social hour, so feel free to wear your PJs and bring your favorite drink/snack. The Zoom link will be sent out prior to the event. If you have any questions, reach out to swepittsburgh.programming@gmail.com.
Save the Date - Networking Mixer with Eaton
On Thursday September 22nd, SWE Pittsburgh is co-hosting a mixer with Eaton employees as part of the Global Environmental Conference. Please save the date; more details will be announced soon!
It’s Time to Renew Your SWE Membership!
Thank you Renewing Members! During the previous month, the following SWE Pittsburgh members have paid and renewed their membership in SWE for FY23:
Annabel Martin-Varnum, Britta Kathleen Ulm, Daphne Sigrid Belen-Cordero, Deanna H. Matthews, Elizabeth Racz, Emma Katherine Buerger, Joie Marhefka, Paige Kendell, and Tracy L Smith
So far, 42% of our members have renewed. Our goal is 80% renewals. If you have not yet renewed, PLEASE continue to support our mission and renew on the SWE website. The SWE early registration discount has ended. Those who renew (without the discount) will instead be entered into the SWE Pittsburgh drawing for a chance to win $5.00.
SWE Leadership Opportunites
Are you interested in getting more involved with SWE Pittsburgh? We have a variety of open positions for FY23! We welcome members of all backgrounds (new members, returning members, experienced members; traditional and non-traditional technical folks; etc.) - all that is required is some enthusiasm, dedication, and some time 😊
Here are some of the available positions for FY23:
Fundraising Chair.
You’ll work with the Treasurer to set fundraising goals for our section and then make a plan for meeting said funding needs. Some responsibilities could include planning fundraising events for the section and reaching out to companies about sponsoring our events or programs.
STEM Outreach Committee roles:
Certificate of Merit Coordinator. Run the yearly Certificate of Merit program that recognizes local high school girls who excel in math and science and are interested in engineering or technology as a career. (January - May)
SWENext Programming Coordinator. Create programming for the SWENexters in Pittsburgh (at least one program every two months), both virtual and in-person. (Year round)
SWENext Mentor/Advisor Program Coordinator. Match high school students with mentors or one-time advisors from our section. Handle any requests we get for job shadowing or talking with an engineer, matching up a SWE member with a student. (Year round)
Programming Committee roles:
Professional Development Day Co-Chair. Work with the VP of Programming to plan the annual half-day Professional Development Day. Responsibilities could include finding speakers and sponsors, developing sessions, and planning day-of logistics.
General Volunteer. Work with the VP of Programming to create exciting events and programs for our section. Volunteer on a more general basis, filling needs as they arise and as your availability permits.
See something of interest to you? Don’t see anything of interest to you, but still want to volunteer? Reach out to swe.pittsburgh@gmail.com and we can set up a time to discuss your interests and where they may align. If you’re passionate about a certain area or topic, we’re always happy to consider developing new initiatives.
Are You Going to WE22?
Are You Going to WE22?
October 20 – 22, 2022
George R. Brown Convention Center
Houston, TX
The theme this year is,
“A World of Opportunity Awaits”.
Please let us know if you are planning to attend, either in-person or virtually! We’ll be taking a SWE Pittsburgh picture at the conference.
Send an email to swe.pittsburgh@gmail.com. So far, we know that Lucero, Mary, Chuck, Mikayla, Kim, Dianne, Shannon, Sophia, Nataline, Veronica, Paige, Kalavati, and Julie are attending. Hope you can, too!
SWE Pittsburgh Executive Council Goal Setting Meeting
The SWE Pittsburgh Executive Council met on Sunday, August 21st to set goals for FY23.
We discussed what our members want from their SWE experience, what we might be missing in terms of community and industry involvement, and what the most relevant potential growth opportunities are.
Stay tuned! The final goals will be shared in the next newsletter!
Left to right: Deepika Devarajan (STEM Outreach Co-Chair), Shannon Falk (new Webmaster), Jay Iyengar (Chennai Partnership/Global Relations Chair), Mikie Chlebowski (Secretary and Science Center Event Coordinator)
Left to right: Erica Erickson (Webmaster), Mary Zeis (VP for STEM Outreach), Chuck Bleil (Data Officer); On screen attending virtually Kim Daloise (Treasurer)
Left to Right: Laura Traczynski (VP for Programming), Mikayla Ferchaw (YouTube Manager), Elizabeth Foster (President), Dianne McMaster (Nominating Committee Chair), Mary Ann Walsh (Membership Co-Chair)
Volunteers Needed for STEM Outreach
Here’s the latest opportunities to volunteer for in-person/on-site STEM Outreach!
Southwest PA STEM Fest – Saturday, Sept. 10, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (pick a shift)
Location: Community Pavilion, 139 S Main St, Washington, PA 15301
SWE Pittsburgh has been invited to staff a booth at the 4th Annual Southwest PA STEM Fest. This STEM Fest will be an outdoor gathering of interactive and informational booths for the entire family.
SWE Pittsburgh will host a hands-on activity table. We need volunteers for this event. This is perfect for members who work since it is on a Saturday. Pick a shift that fits your schedule. Family and friends are welcome to volunteer with you. So far, we have Mary, Chuck, Elizabeth G., and Alec G. But we can use more volunteers to make sure we can cover the 200+ kids expected to attend!
Are you an Employer looking to post a job? Contact swe.pittsburgh@gmail.com
SWE Pittsburgh Membership Updates
Welcome New Members! Please join us in welcoming the following Professional members to the SWE Pittsburgh Section:
Emily Jane Stroud |Professional Member, BS, Mechanical Engineering, West Virginia University, BA, Physics, West Virginia Wesleyan College, employed as Tool Design Engineer, Aurora Flight Sciences
Kalavati Bhashyam | Professional Member, MS (in process), Computer Science, MS, Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Bachelor of Technology, Electronics and Communication Engineering, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, employed as Senior Director, Hardware Engineering – Robotics and Enabling Technologies, Smith+Nephew
Shannon Falk | Professional Member, Full Stack Software Engineer, App Academy, BS, Business Administration, University of Pittsburgh
Julie Mull | Professional Member, BFA, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, employed as Senior Academic Program Coordinator, Engineering & Technology Innovation Management MS Program, Carnegie Mellon University
Kate Dawson | Professional Member, MBA, University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business, BS, Industrial Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, employed as Director Advanced Manufacturing Engineering, Robotics, Smith+Nephew
Malu Devadasan | Collegiate Member, PhD (in process), Civil Engineering, MS, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, BE, Civil Engineering, Birla Vishvakarma Mahavidyalaya Engineering College, employed as Water Resources Engineer, Wade Trim
Astha Prasad | Professional Member, Masters in Robotic Systems Development, Carnegie Mellon University, employed as Software Development Engineer, Smith+Nephew
Lisa Ewing | Professional Member, BS, Electrical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, employed as Director, Regulatory Affairs – Robotics, Smith+Nephew
We look forward to seeing you at our future events!
Please remember to keep your SWE profile up-to-date - please include your employment, education, and address; also remember to check to opt-in for SWE to send you emails (email is the main method of SWE Pittsburgh communication to our members). Members’ information is how we keep in touch with you and it is not shared outside of SWE
Did you know that by simply shopping on smile.amazon.com and selecting Society of Women Engineers as your supported charity, Amazon will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases to our Section? How awesome is that!
If you want to put your Amazon shopping to good use, follow these steps:
Step 2: Select Choose your charity -OR- change the charity your supporting
Step 3: Search for Society of Women Engineers
Step 4: Search for the Pittsburgh, PA Location
Step 5: Shop shop shop! Well, remember to shop at Smile.amazon.com!
SWE Pittsburgh FY23 Leadership
Elizabeth Foster - President
Laura Traczynski - Vice President – Programming
Mary Zeis - Vice President – Outreach & STEM Outreach Co-Chair
Michal Chlebowski - Secretary
Kimberly Daloise - Treasurer
Mary Ann Walsh - Membership Co-Chair
Carolyn Casavan - Membership Co-Chair Open - Fundraising Chair
Veronica Jaime-Lara - Social Media Chair
Deepika Devarajan - STEM Outreach Co-Chair
Dorothy Measures - Job Bank Coordinator
Shannon Falk - Webmaster
Cassandra Solarczyk - Newsletter Editor
Lucero Lopez - Collegiate Section Liaison
Chuck Bleil - Data Officer
Jayashree Iyengar - Chennai Partnership/Global Relations Chair Open - Certificate of Merit Program Coordinator
Mikayla Ferchaw - YouTube Manager
Michal Chlebowski - Carnegie Science Center (CSC) Event Coordinator
Stephanie Garcia - STEM Outreach for Schools Coordinator
Dianne McMaster - Nominating Committee Chair
Look for us on the SWE Pittsburgh website and contact any of us by sending an email to swe.pittsburgh@gmail.com
Would you like to sponsor SWE Pittsburgh?
If you would like your company to be a local sponsor, contact SWEPittsburgh@gmail.com
