Here’s another perspective on the Region C Conference, brought to you by Dallas SWE Section President Jennifer Vilbig!
“For those of you who did not make it to the conference, SMU welcomed almost 400 students and professionals for two days of tours, sessions, speakers and a career fair that featured over 30 companies! Nicole Navinsky from SMU was recognized as the Emerging Leader Collegiate for Region C and Hope-Toole Schwalls from the Fort Worth section was recognized for her Distinguished Service to the Society! Thank you to the SMU conferenceteam as well as the individuals in Dallas SWE who served as part of the programs committee, Neha Dobhal, Barbara Read, Nandika D’Souza & Jennifer Blount.
In addition, Dallas SWE welcomed 35 high school students for a morning of hands-on workshops! Megen Velten, a graduate student at UT Arlington discussed chemicals and polymer chains as well as team building and safety. The girls then created a keychain charm using an epoxy and binder. Plus, Britney Caldwell, and electrical engineer for Brant Engineering discussed electrical circuits, resistors, capacitors, switches and demonstrated their applications using a circuits kit. Next, Letia Blanco, a mechanical engineer for Raytheon engaged the girls in an interactive networking coaching session! Letia successfully encouraged the girls to “be brave, be brave, be brave” while illustrating key networking skills such as handshakes, eye contact, and an elevator speech! We then sent the girls off to attend the sessions during the region conference as well as to learn about career opportunities by visiting the 30+ company booths at the career fair!”