Five Dallas SWE members had the opportunity to visit Simpson Strong-Tie’s facility in McKinney on Wednesday, January 29th, where Silvia Dyer, P.E. gave an informative presentation about the company’s impact on the construction industry. Simpson Strong-Tie is a leading manufacturer of construction joists used nationwide in residential and commercial buildings, as well as outdoor structures.
Following the presentation, the group toured the facility, gaining insight into the advanced manufacturing processes that were split between fabrication and automation. The tour showcased high-speed machines cutting sheet metal with incredible precision, contributing to the production of nearly 1,000 SKUs. The facility’s ability to repair its own mills in-house was particularly noteworthy, demonstrating its efficiency and technical expertise.
Attendees also saw how dedicated crews, supported by robotic automation, seamlessly manufacture and package parts to meet industry demands. The combination of cutting-edge technology and skilled craftsmanship made this tour a fascinating experience.
Dallas SWE extends a big thank you to Silvia Dyer and the Simpson Strong-Tie team for hosting a wonderful visit!
Dallas SWE members attended the 29th Annual Dallas Women Engineers Holiday Event hosted by LJA and Sophia Harvey from the City of Dallas. Women from all over DFW networked and connected over appetizer and drinks. The night concluded with the annual white elephant gift exchange.
Celebrate National Engineers Week with Dallas SWE as we present SHINE: Maintaining Creativity while Battling Burnout!
Picture this: finally signing off from work after a long day in the office, lab, field, or wherever you do your job. The moment holds a sense relief, but simultaneously the stress is still there. Am I ready for that big presentation tomorrow? What am I going to do for dinner tonight? Do I have time to see my friends and family this weekend? Engineering is one of the most demanding professions out there, and it can take a large time commitment to be successful. While strict deadlines, large budgets, and high visibility projects lead to meaningful careers, they can also take away our energy, creativity, and time for self-care. In this session, participants will learn the SHINE method, which is a set of guidelines that helps find joy in little things in life and overcome technical burnout while maintaining creativity and innovation.
Date: Thursday, February 20th Time: 6:30-8pm Location: la Madeleine, 3072 Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75205
About the Speaker
Sammy Zellner is a Process Engineer at Texas Instruments (TI) in Dallas, TX with a BS and MS in Materials Science. During the first year of her career at TI, she immediately learned the 24/7 nature of manufacturing and critical process control required in a wafer fabrication factory. Quickly approaching burnout after such a short time industry, Sammy learned key strategies to manage the demanding nature of her position. Now 5 years into her career, Sammy has learned how to balance her schedule with a full-time job, active SWE involvement, and supporting her family, while still making time for herself and staying creative and innovative, in and out of work.
Volunteer to inspire middle school students by joining Dallas SWE for Design Your World event at Allen Technical Campus Collin Community College on Saturday, March 1!
Three volunteer shifts available from 8:00AM-4:00pm.
On December 17, 2024, Dallas SWE hosted the highly anticipated professional development workshop, Mastering Presentation Skills: Strategies for Effective Communication, at BioLabs Pegasus Park. This engaging in-person event brought together a diverse group of professionals, students, and aspiring speakers, all eager to enhance their public speaking abilities and build confidence in their communication skills.
The evening began with a dynamic session led by Nicole Anklam, who shared invaluable strategies for structuring impactful presentations. Nicole emphasized the importance of tailoring topics to the audience and clearly articulating the purpose of the talk. Her framework encouraged attendees to establish their credibility, set the context, deliver a compelling core message, use visuals to reinforce key points, and conclude with a memorable takeaway. Her insights left participants with a clear roadmap for delivering effective presentations in any setting.
Anmolika Singh followed with an interactive session titled Finding Your Topic Exercise. Through a hands-on brainstorming activity, attendees explored a unique technique for generating presentation ideas. Using three columns labeled “Your Interests,” “Your Expertise,” and “Your Audience’s Needs,” participants identified topics that resonated with both their passions and their audience’s expectations. The exercise helped attendees connect their skills and interests in a way that inspired confidence and creativity for future talks.
The event concluded with an inspiring session from Gabby Everett of BioLabs Pegasus Park. Gabby shared valuable insights on audience engagement and offered practical advice for overcoming common challenges like imposter syndrome and stage fright. She highlighted techniques such as adopting power poses, reflecting on personal achievements, and using posture to project confidence. Her thoughtful approach encouraged participants to embrace their strengths and connect authentically with their audiences.
Attendees left the workshop equipped with actionable strategies, newfound confidence, and a sense of community. The event provided not only an opportunity to learn but also a space to network and share experiences with other professionals.
Dallas SWE extends its gratitude to Nicole Anklam, Anmolika Singh, Gabby Everett, and all who attended for making this event a memorable success. We look forward to welcoming everyone to future events that continue to empower and inspire.
