How to succeed as a woman in engineering: WISE summer camp wraps with inspiring career discussion
SUNY New Paltz’s Women in Science & Engineering (WISE) chapter concluded its Summer Engineering Camp for girls with a special panel conversation between six women (five of whom are New Paltz alumnae) currently enjoying successful careers in engineering fields.
After spending the week of July 31 – Aug. 4 developing skills and confidence in computer, electrical and mechanical engineering, as well as touring local businesses, the WISE campers (age 13-17) got a rare opportunity to speak with female engineers who have built fulfilling careers with companies including IBM, General Electric, Central Hudson, Ducommun and ErtelAlsop.
The discussion ranged from concrete academic and career advising that could help any aspiring engineer, to frank discussion of the challenges that women have historically faced, and sometimes still encounter, in educational and professional environments where they are frequently outnumbered by their male colleagues.
“Being in engineering, it can be hard to find other females to collaborate with and learn from, but WISE has been a great resource,” said Lori Jockers ’17 (Mechanical Engineering), who graduated earlier this year and shared at the WISE panel that she had just been hired by Integration Control Group, a technology manufacturer serving the restaurant industry. “When I was interviewing for jobs, at every interview they asked me about my time in WISE, and when I accepted my position I found that the head of my department loves anything that has to do with WISE – she asks me about it all the time.”
“Participating in programs like this in the industry is so important because you get to meet people,” said Kimberly Eagleston ’15 (Electrical Engineering), a former WISE chapter member currently employed as an engineer at Ducommun, an aerospace parts manufacturer. “You don’t know when you might be able to use those connections in the future, to learn about a job opening or get an internship that moves you forward in your career.”
“Don’t let anybody tell you it’s too early to apply for internships,” said Cora Juczak ’16 (Electrical Engineering), a recent New Paltz graduate, former WISE chapter member and current engineer at Central Hudson. “Even if they say you’re not eligible, just apply. I had an internship every summer when I was in college and it was so beneficial. They introduced me to electrical engineering and helped me realize that’s what I love. If I hadn’t done them, I’d be somewhere totally different today.”
Interested in learning more? There are lots of ways of keeping up with WISE at SUNY New Paltz:
- Follow WISE on Instagram (@wisewomen__) and join the New Paltz WISE group on Facebook
- Read more about the WISE Summer Engineering Camp
- Keep an eye out for news about next year’s camp, and contact wisecamp@newpaltz.edu to request more information