Hi! My name is Saloni and I am a junior studying Mechanical Engineering. Take a second to think about why you decided to become an engineer. Was it a role model who sparked your interest in the field, something cool you saw or experienced, or your own passion for math and science that pushed you towards engineering? For me it was all of the above. I can distinctly remember the moment I decided to be an engineer; it was in the 7th grade. I had always been good at math and science but I never thought I was the best at it. Up until the 7th grade I had no idea what an engineer even was. I just assumed they were the people who drove trains. My mom signed me up for an after school program hosted by an electrical engineering professor to teach girls about engineering. I was reluctant to go, I knew I wasn’t interested in becoming an engineer. The first day we had to work in teams to build flashlights out of a paper towel roll, some cotton balls, and a few paperclips. At the end of the activity the program mentors, who were college students, took time to explain what engineering was. It was at that moment I realized engineering was working in a team to solve a complex problem. It required communication, critical thinking and perseverance but the impact it made on the world was undeniable, and I wanted to be a part of it.
So you might be confused about why I just told you this story. Well it has a lot to do with how many young girls perceive the field of engineering. This also helps us understand why outreach is so important. At an early age kids need to learn what engineers actually do. The field of engineering is never advertised to students. They never have the chance to understand what engineers do and why they are so vital. Engineers are always perceived as non-social people who sit in a cubical all day solving math problems. But in reality engineers save the world, they have a real impact on the community, they work in teams to solve the toughest problems. They do the impossible everyday. This is where outreach events become crucial. Outreach events help students of all ages really understand what engineering is. The earlier they are exposed to this field the more time they have to explore their passions. Similar to me in the 7th grade, many girls are good at math and science, but feel they aren’t smart enough to become an engineer. They doubt their abilities to succeed in college and even in the professional workforce. These girls need role models, outreach events provide that. Role models help show that engineering, although difficult, is not impossible. Outreach events are such a valuable experience to all attendees and are vital in inspiring the next generation of engineers.
SWE Illinois has built a strong foundation of reputable outreach events throughout the years. We host events for kids of all ages from kindergarten to high school. Each event, planned by the event chairs, is consciously tailored to fit a specific age group. We ensure that participants have the opportunity to engage in activities that will introduce them to the field of engineering and show them the various opportunities available. This year as one of the Outreach Directors I had the chance to ensure our events were the best quality in order to “inspire the next generation”. This was the motto for our committee. Our largest event , Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (IGED), taking place in mid October brought in over 100 high school girls this year. At IGED the girls explored various engineering disciplines through activity rotations, participated in a design challenge, and spoke with admissions counselors and engineering students to understand what to expect in college. For each event we also have a variety of activities planned for parents to ensure they are learning how to better support their daughters in future STEM education. A very similar event for middle school students, Engineering Exploration, set a new record for the number of attendees this year. This event sponsored by Caterpillar, allowed the participants to hear from professional engineers about their experiences. SWE Illinois also started a new pen pal program to connect middle school students with women engineers. These are just some of the amazing accomplishments from the Outreach committee this year. Outreach is always an important part of SWE’s mission, and as SWE grows its outreach initiatives will as well.
Be that engineer. Do the impossible everyday. You never know who is looking up to you.
Outreach Co-Directors at WE19 SWE Illinois Booth
