Study Tips for SWEsters

With finals a few weeks away, it is crucial to start preparing for them in advance. Today, I want to introduce a few methods of studying.

1. Blurting, otherwise known as memory dump. Take a piece of paper and a topic you want to revise. Then proceed to “blurt” everything in your memory about that topic. Time is not necessary for this exercise, you can take as long as you want to. Notes and any other exterior materials are not allowed. In the end you check with your notes and keep track of what parts you have mastered and what need more time.

2. Spaced Repetition: It is a method where you review materials at systematic intervals. In the beginning the intervals are short and you need to review more frequently. As time goes on you start understanding better and remembering and the intervals in between reviews get bigger. Spaced repetition is a technique that minimizes the forgotten information when we do not come across it for long periods of time. There are different ways you can use spaces repetition. You can use online software or apps, or you can use the ‘Box Method’. In the box method, you create flashcards with the information you need to learn, and you also make a couple boxes or other ways of keeping the flashcards separate. If you recall the information in the flashcard correctly you pass it in a later box and if not you pass it in a previous box. The earlier boxes are reviewed more frequently and the later ones less often.

3. Past Papers Method: By putting yourself under exam conditions, i.e. somewhere quiet, with a timer and with no access to materials, you feel like you are taking the exam. This is a good method to figure out areas where you are comfortable and where more effort is needed. Another tip, is to go through around three years of past papers and take notes on concepts that pop up in them and also familiarize yourself with the way questions are asked, the format the answers are needed in and such.

4. Pomodoro Technique: The pomodoro is a famous technique which consists of 25-minute stretches of focused work and 5-minute breaks, creating 30-minute intervals. After four 30-minute intervals, bigger breaks around 15 to 30 minutes are taken. There are online timers to help you with this method. To make the pomodoro technique work, you need a checklist of tasks, and you must dedicate yourself to only one of the tasks during an interval. By using this method, you make sure not to burn out. The unbreakable rule of pomodoro is that once the timer starts, you cannot check messages, emails, chats, or any other thing unrelated to the current task (Pomodoro is tomato in Italian).

This is just another stepping stone for you, and you will make it through. Just remember to take breaks in between studying, sleeping at least seven hours every 24-hour period. Do not starve and stay hydrated.

A Letter to Champaign-Urbana

Going into my senior year, I had a feeling that the days would be slow but weeks would fly by. It feels like just yesterday the year was beginning but we’re now over halfway through the second semester. And sooner than we expect, the campus will be crowded with orange and blue gowns, smiling faces, and proud families. Students will walk across the stage to receive their diplomas, and of course, Alma will wear a graduation gown. I’ve been feeling the weight of graduation all year and it’s crazy it’s so close. The hard work of our years on campus has paid off. 

Besides the exciting part of the day, there will be emotional moments as well. Graduation means wrapping up your time as an undergraduate student at UIUC. What comes next looks different for everyone, but it means moving forward from this chapter of your life. For most, this means moving from the place they’ve called home for a handful of years. However, for me, this means saying goodbye to the place I’ve now called home for 22 years. 

So before I go, I want to highlight a few favorites from Champaign-Urbana. Maybe you’ve wanted to explore more of the town that holds your campus and experience a bit more of this beautiful community off campus and this can provide some suggestions. 

Food: 

Cactus Grill - This restaurant holds the best high school lunch memories and still serves the best burrito or quesadilla. It’s kind of like a local chipotle where you can create your own bowl/burrito/ quesadilla. Highly recommend adding the Chipotle sauce to whatever you order. 

Jarling’s Custard Cup - As many students know, trying Custard Cup is a must. However, I recently found out not everyone knows about the local ice cream place and wanted to highlight it. Custard Cup holds many special memories from running there with my middle school cross-country team for a special ice cream treat during practice to meeting my college roommate for the first time. 

Moe’s Food Truck - A bit further from campus you’ll find a delicious truck. Order it online for delivery or pick it up off campus. I promise you won’t regret it. 

Art Mart - Just a bit further down Kirby Ave from campus you’ll find this grocery store and bakery. There are unique groceries and yummy sandwiches for a quick lunch! 

Activities: 

Downtown Champaign - Take the 12 Teal to get to the train station and from there you can walk to where you want to go. There are fun restaurants to try new food, breweries to play games, and a few shops to buy new plants - I suggest Plant Mode! 

Curtis Orchard - Similar to Jarling’s, this is a place that most UIUC students have heard of. This past fall was the first moment it felt real I wouldn’t be here next fall. So for me, even if you’ve been before, be sure to stop by and get some Apple Cider Donuts when they open up again in August! 

These may be places that you’ve heard of or might provide you with somewhere new to explore with some fellow swesters. Either way, just remember that these places form together the place I’ve called home for 22 years. 

A Day in the Life of a SWE Chair

I’m Grace, a sophomore in mechanical engineering. I am currently the Environmental Co-Chair on the Community Service Committee, and last year I was Large Events Fundraising Chair. SWE has been a major part of my college experience from the first week of college when I was introduced to some of the officer board at Quad Day my freshman year. It has helped me grow as a person, meet new people, and it has also provided me with opportunities to connect with companies and expand my network. At WE22, I was first introduced to the company I will be interning for over the summer. At WE Local ‘23, I met with a past SWE president, Stacey DelVecchio, who shared some amazing life advice and was very enthusiastic about SWE opportunities. 

I wanted to share what a day in the life of a SWE chair looks like for anyone interested in  becoming a chair themselves, or maybe they are curious about the University of Illinois and what it’s like to be an engineering major. 

My day started off as any typical Thursday: doing homework and checking emails. I like to start my mornings by being productive so I don’t have as much work to do later. Before classes, I walked over to the SWOffice to get an Engineering Semi Formal ticket and talk with some of my SWEsters. To my surprise, there were leftover bagels from a coffee chat that morning! The SWOffice is truly a magical place. 

My first class of the day was ME 330 (Engineering Materials). The course goes over strengthening materials, hardness, heat treatment techniques, behavior of materials based on composition, etc. It’s a pretty interesting course, and the labs usually involve testing a lot of materials until failure. 

Once ME 330 was over, it was time to make the trek to the Foreign Languages Building for “French Food for Thought,” a gen ed. In this course, we discuss French cuisine and its influence on the world. Every week, my professor brings in a different French snack for us to try, and this was cronut day. A cronut is a mix between a croissant and a donut. It was delicious. 

My next class was a discussion over Zoom, so I went back to my room to join the call. The course is MATH 442 (Partial Differential Equations). We completed discussion questions in the breakout rooms and ended early. I had a 30 minute break before my last class, so I decided to walk over to ISR for lunch. 

My last class of the day is Women’s Glee Club, the University’s treble choir. Similar to SWE Illinois, this group is huge and powerful, and we even have some fellow SWEsters! We are currently preparing for our Mom’s weekend concert where we will perform pieces centered around Women’s Suffrage and empowering women. 

After classes, it was time to head over to the SWE March GM/Elections. We had Shawarma Joint catered, which was delicious, especially the falafels. It was great to hear the candidates talk about their plans for next year. I’m really excited for the future of SWE.

I then left and went to the Armory for a cappella rehearsal. My group, Unified Voices, was starting to learn “Don’t Blame Me” by Taylor Swift. This was perfect timing because Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour just kicked off last weekend! 

When rehearsal was over, I made my way back to the Mechanical Engineering Laboratory to work on the Engineering Open House project for Women in MechSE. This year, we are doing a pulley demo to give the user “the strength of She-Hulk.” At 9 pm, we were outside spray painting the wooden frame green and purple to fit the theme. It got done rather quickly with about seven of us helping out. We let it dry for a bit and called it a night.

I concluded my night in the Jackson Innovation Studio in the Mechanical Engineering Building. I met with some friends and we worked on homework, lab reports, design projects, or whatever else we needed to get done on a Thursday. 

WE Local '23

SWE's Diversity Fashion Show

Self-expression, through fashion, often tells the story of the different parts of one's identity, including their heritage. As one of the diversity chairs, I was excited to highlight the natural integration of fashion and culture through the Diversity Fashion Show, a SWE Illinois first, that does just this.  

It is no surprise the immense work that is necessary to coordinate an event that has never been done before, yet filled with so much importance. The purpose of the event was to share the beauty of different cultures through fashion with other SWE members, providing a learning opportunity and new appreciation, however throughout the process of planning this event, I found myself exploring the beauty of other cultures and gaining a new sense of appreciation for my own. 

In addition to clothing, food is an important aspect of one's culture, it also has the ability to bring different cultures together for a savory moment.  We knew we wanted to highlight as many cultures as we could, thus instead of catering one type of food for the event, my co-chair Sonali and I, packed our reusable grocery bags one Saturday morning to explore the different foods and grocery stores that the Chambana area has to offer. Our first stop was Urbana's World Harvest Market, where we picked up Turkish delights and Chocorooms, a popular chocolate snack from Japan, a favorite of the kind cashier who rang us up. We then made our way to Champaign where we visited Fresh International Market. Next, we visited “Los Paisas", a small family store that transported me to the pueblos my parents grew up in and I spent my summers. I gravitated toward the food and drinks that reminded me of “home”, audibly gasping at each item and sharing my excitement with Sonali. At that moment, I knew I wanted others to have this same experience at the fashion show, their eyes instantly meeting a snack that provides the feeling of “home.” After our shopping spree, we both became extremely excited to share the art of food from different cultures with our peers, not to mention we were excited to try ourselves!

Finally, the day we had been planning for 2 months, February 23rd, arrived. Amazon boxes, filled with world flags, a red carpet, glitter decor, and grocery bags equally full of indulgences from around the world, were hauled up to the JDP. We rolled out the carpet, created a cute photo opportunity, and set up the tables, placing each world flag at the ends of the tables. The food table was filled with colored packaging, many countries were represented within and on display. Unfortunately, we were unable to finish setting up before members arrived, however, we were assisted by our fellow SWEsters who provided a helping hand to make the first Diversity Fashion show a success. Popular dance music from Ukraine to India filled the air, a playlist I happily curated. Smiles were present as participants made their way to the food table. Conversations of where food is from, what it means personally, and encouragement to others to try their “fave.” It was wonderful to see the excitement and sharing of different cultures. 

As the show started and the lights dimmed. I admired the beautiful hand-embroidered details of the Vyshyvanka, a traditional Ukrainian blouse. I laughed at Com Serv’s take on dressing as “puns”, each were equally clever. I admired the elegance of the traditional Filipina Baro't Saya,  shirt, and skirt. I felt pride in wearing my blousa, an article of clothing that I only thought I would wear once on campus. The laughs, smiles, “oohs” and “aahs” from fellow SWEsters made the event memorable. The Diversity Fashion show was not only a celebration of diversity of culture and fashion, but also highlighted the diversity present in self expression. Although I may not be the diversity chair next school year, I am excited to see what the next Diversity Fashion Show brings! 

Reflecting on WE22

This year, Our SWE Illinois section had the opportunity to attend the WE22 Conference in Houston, TX! We brought 54 members to the conference who all had a chance to attend workshops, participate in the career fair, network, and grow professionally. Some of the attendees from our section reflected on their experiences at the conference:

“WE22 was such a rewarding experience! Personally, I learned about how to "afford adulthood", attended sessions about water scarcity & sustainability, and learned more about how to be a leader. Each session taught me something new! However, I'd have to say that my favorite part was seeing other SWE Illinois members experience conference. Whether they had success at the career fair, learned something new in a session, or met a new friend, it was really rewarding to watch each of them experience conference in their own way!”

• Leah Courtney

“This conference was an amazing opportunity to gain insight from so many women professionals in variety of different fields. I was able to take value from every conversation I had with keynote speakers, and SWE students that I met along the way. It was energizing to network with SWE members and learn about people with diverse backgrounds. In addition, the career fair was the highlight of the conference where I was able to talk to several companies, and not only have phenomenal conversations, but also learn about myself and how I interact with others. Through every interaction I was given the opportunity to improve my professional abilities. Overall amazing experience, excited for next year!”

• Palak Khera

“This being my first year attending the WE conference, I was a bit nervous about what to expect. Upon arriving to the conference, I was overwhelmed by the amount of positivity and support given to me by SWEsters around the country! From meeting like-minded students from different schools, networking with some of my dream companies, and hearing from brilliant women during the sessions, the weekend was packed with excitement. Not only was I able to further my professional development, but I learned about mental health strategies, prioritizing self-care, and so much more while also being able to explore a new city. The conference was an amazing experience and I cannot wait for next year!”

• Shaleen Vohra

“I love the conferences that SWE puts on, and WE22 was no different! There were some amazing information sessions where I was able to learn how to turn diversity into actionable items, how machine learning was used in different industries, and how to be my best professional self. In addition, I was able to connect with people from our own section, from other sections (there was an amazing event put on by the Houston section) and other leaders in engineering! It was super inspirational and I'm glad that I had an opportunity to attend.“

• Eunice Chang

“My experience at WE22 was amazing this year! The career fair and the workshops helped ease my worries about post-grad life, especially the ones about personal finance and managing money. That's not something I've been taught in school, so it was a session I took a lot out of! Also, as a graduating senior, it's a valuable experience to speak to individuals in a place that I could be in in a year or so! WE Conference is such a unique opportunity I'd encourage any SWE member to take advantage of :)”

• Apurva Chanda

Overall, we had an enriching experience and learnt a lot from the workshops ranging from various topics such as leadership success and early career development to mental health management strategies and post-grad tips! We also had the opportunity to attend the career fair at which SWE members networked with collegiates and professionals from over 100 top companies and graduate schools, and explored internship, career, and academic opportunities. Along with the amazing opportunities for personal and professional growth our SWEsters had, a few members from Team Tech also got to participate in a competition and presented about the project they worked on with United Airlines! 

Our section won the following awards this year:

• Outstanding Collegiate Member: Abby Culloton

• Team Tech Competition - Honorable Mention (4th Place): OCR Application to Support Travel Health Requirements (United Airlines)

We are so proud of the hard work of our award winners, and the consistent dedication and enthusiasm of every member of SWE Illinois who made this conference a memorable one!

• Joshmita Chintala
  
  

Banned Books Week

September 18-24 was Banned Books Week. This is a dedicated week that stands against censorship, specifically in librarianship. Book banning has increased significantly in America these past few years as it grows from individual efforts to broader efforts that may be supported by politicians. This past year, over 700 challenges occurred. This current year, over 600 challenges have already attempted to ban library resources, with over 1.6k unique titles being targeted. At the current rate, book challenges are predicted to exceed last year’s record.

Why is this important? The action of book bans usually occurs when parents will ask for certain books to be removed from libraries and classrooms. The reasons are largely stated as being too ‘sexually explicit’, ‘LGBTQIA’ and ‘critical race theory’. This brings up the importance of diversity in representation. Having diversity in what we consume allows people to engage with marginalized groups that we’re not a part of. For both children and adults, it reduces negative stereotypes that may have built up. It is especially important to consume material of marginalized communities that have been written by authors in that community, as it brings significant authenticity to the work. Additionally, it allows people in these groups to feel seen and represented, which is also vital to children.

All of these are valuable reasons, yet because they were unknown, they are seen as ‘dangerous’ to those unfamiliar or prejudiced against it. The queer community in particular is commonly conflated with being promiscuous or sexual, rather than an exploration of identity. By trying to ban these books, people want this to be inaccessible to everyone rather than letting people make their own decisions to read it or not. It becomes important for librarians across the continent to continue pursuing diverse representation whether it be showcased in displays or in the library generally, for publishers to be aware and try to remedy this gap, and for us to be aware and fight back against book challenges.

Although Banned Books Week has ended, this does not diminish the importance of fighting back against censorship or the importance of representation. If you have time this week, go to your local library and check out a book that may be banned somewhere else!

Thank you to Dr. Dawn Betts-Green for providing some of the material in this post.

Banned Books Week Display at The Literary

Why is Women’s History Month in March?

The celebration of women’s history was first officially established in the United States by a Congressional resolution in 1981, which established a Women’s History Week that later expanded to the whole month of March! Prior to that, women were honored in classrooms - like in Sonoma, California, where the local school district organized a weeklong celebration of women’s contributions to culture and history - and through a 1980 proclamation by President Jimmy Carter to designate the week of March 8th as “National Women’s History Week.” But why is March Women’s History Month? This ties back to the establishment of International Women’s Day, which has been observed in some places since the early 20th century but gained widespread recognition in 1977, after modern feminist movements encouraged the United Nations to adopt the holiday. 

International Women’s Day, perhaps surprisingly, has its roots in the socialist and labor movements of the 1900s. The Socialist Party of America established a women’s celebration in February of 1909. This recognition of women’s contributions spread to countries in Europe like France and Germany. In the year 1917, a Russian woman named Alexandra Kollantai led a demonstration of women working in the garment industry that began on March 8th. This protest called for an end to World War I, as well as the removal of the czar, and marked the beginning of the movements comprising the Russian Revolution. Because of the essential role this women’s movement played in Russia’s political revolution, Vladimir Lenin declared March 8th as “Women’s Day” in the Soviet Union. As the USSR’s influence spread, International Women’s Day became widely celebrated in socialist nations. Later, feminist movements in the 1960s discovered the holiday and promoted its adoption, while also advocating for equal economic opportunities, antidiscrimination legislation, reproductive rights, and more. The UN recognized International Women’s Day in 1977 as an official holiday, and also began in 1996 to commemorate the day with a theme that highlights the achievements of women, their role in society, or specific hardships that women may disproportionately face. 2022’s IWD theme was “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow!”

Today, International Women’s Day has become somewhat commercialized, as corporations sponsor the holiday and social media movements seem to take the spotlight away from the problems that women continue to face worldwide. Some argue that rather than giving female employees flowers or posting a photo of your red lipstick, a la the “Rock the lip” campaign, IWD should focus on highlighting the reforms we should be pursuing to make meaningful changes in the lives of women. Don’t forget that, upsettingly, women still make on average 82 cents for every dollar a man makes, and more than one third of all women will face domestic violence at some point in their lives. For women in STEM (like our fellow SWEsters!), there continue to be gaps in engagement, especially when it comes to technical roles in these industries. 

In general, celebrations like International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month are a great time to celebrate the individual women in your life, but also to advocate for women all around the world. Supporting women also doesn’t have to be limited to IWD or the month of March - we should strive for the advancement of women every day!

SWE Illinois members in 1981, the same year that a women’s history celebration was officially established on a national level in the United States!

Black History Month

By Ainsley Hanner and Hatoon Bashanfar         

As February has come to an end, let’s reflect on Black History Month! Many people are familiar with the commonly highlighted events and figures important to the Black community: the 13th Amendment that ended slavery in the United States and the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr, Muhammad Ali, and more. But what is the history behind this month-long celebration of Black history, individuals, and culture? 

            In 1926, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) and its founder, scholar Carter G. Woodson, sponsored the first “Negro History Week” to highlight the contributions of Black Americans to U.S. history. The second week of February was selected so that this week would coincide with Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass’ birthdays, two significant figures in Black history. This event became more popular over the years, spreading as schools and cities across the nation held their own celebrations of Black Americans’ victories. During the Civil Rights Movement, organizations, especially those on college campuses, expanded the week-long event to the entire month of February. Finally, in 1976, 50 years after the first “Negro History Week,” Black History Month was officially recognized by President Gerald Ford. Thus, Black History Month was established on a national level!

            One aspect of Black History Month many people don’t know about is that every year, a specific theme is given to the celebration. In recent years, themes have included African Americans and the Vote (2020) and The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity (2021). For 2022, the theme was Black Health and Wellness. With this theme, the goal was to honor Black scholars practitioners in the medical field, as well as highlight traditional wellness practices of the Black community including herbalism, midwifery, and more. Among the latter category are two important figures.  Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the first Black woman to become a physician after graduating from the New England Female Medical College in 1864. Dorothy Lavinia Brown was the first Black woman surgeon, practicing in many areas in the southeastern United States in the 1900s. In the midst of the ongoing pandemic, the focus on Black wellness also draws attention to unequal health outcomes for Black Americans that continue to this day. Black Americans have higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease compared to other Americans. In addition, Black mothers are three times more likely to die due to pregnancy-related causes, according to the CDC. Related to COVID-19, Black Americans had death rates more than twice those for white Americans at the start of the pandemic also from CDC metrics. Historical distrust of healthcare systems, implicit bias among practitioners, and unequal access to treatment and preventative care are all significant barriers to Black health today. However, there are many organizations and individuals all over the country dedicated to closing gaps in health outcomes for this community. 

            In the spirit of Black History Month, here are a few organizations that support Black communities and their achievements. Related to science and technology, Black Girls CODE and Black Girls Do STEM are both groups that introduce Black girls to different fields related to technology and science and connect them with opportunities in industry. On campus, you can connect with the National Society for Black Engineers (NSBE), including at SWE’s upcoming Diversity Dinner co-hosted by NSBE and SHPE! Other organizations to support include health charities like the Black AIDS Institute, Black Women’s Health Imperative, and BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective) and advancement projects like the NAACP, ACLU, and many, many more. Getting involved in the community, giving financially if you have the means, and encouraging others to do the same are great ways to support Black history and culture during Black History Month and throughout the year.

Reflecting on WE21

This year, SWE Illinois had the opportunity to attend WE21 in Indianapolis, Indiana! WE21 was hosted in person and we were lucky to be able to bring 55 members along for the ride. A few SWEsters have reflected on their conference experience and how they were able to grow as a professional:

”The WE21 conference was an all-around amazing experience! There were inspiring keynotes, informative sessions, and a massive career fair. Some of my favorite sessions were about articulating volunteer experience on your resume, how to recognize your communication style, and advocating for mental health awareness in the workplace environment. I also enjoyed chatting with different companies at the career fair to network (and get some free swag too). But the highlight of the conference was getting to know everyone in our SWE section. From scootering around downtown Indianapolis to playing the piano in the hotel lobby until 2 AM, I made so many great memories and became closer with so many SWEsters throughout the weekend. The WE21 conference made me feel incredibly fortunate to have such a supportive group of women engineers by my side and inspired me for what my future as an engineer might hold.”

• Abby Culloton

“This was my first conference, and it was definitely memorable! The convention center itself was huge, and due to the sheer size of the event, it was easy to talk with so many different people. In addition to making professional connections at the career fair (which is huge!), I was able to talk with many people from other SWE sections, and it was interesting to learn about the events other sections hold and how they are organized! I also learned a lot from the various sessions, ranging from how to grow professionally as a college student just entering the industry to how to encourage more engagement in virtual Outreach events.
I also definitely gained a lot of insight on how to approach another conference from this one. If I were asked about any tips for attending a WE conference, it would be to remember to have fun and to not be afraid to get out of your comfort zone!
All in all, I had a very unforgettable experience at the WE21 Conference and am really glad I had the opportunity to go with such amazing people!”

• Yatri Sutaria

We were able to attend keynote presentations, workshops, snap sessions and more, so there was never a dull moment. The three inspirational keynote speakers presented on how to thrive in your career by building confidence within yourself. Other event focuses ranged from professional development, diversity and inclusion, technical innovations and strategic leadership. The WE21 Career Fair also sported over 50 different companies that our members had the opportunity to connect and network with, many of whom have since secured professional experiences! Our Team Tech also participated in the Team Tech competition and did a wonderful job presenting the hard work they did throughout the year for Caterpillar.

We were also able to meet many other collegiate members face to face! We had the chance to connect at events, in the WE21 break room, and even at our fundraising booth. Being able to exchange ideas and leadership advice was an invaluable experience that we missed during the virtual conference last year!
This year, our section won the following awards:

- Globalization - Best Practice - Global

- Strategic Goal #4: Diversity & Inclusion - Best Practice - Communication

- Collegiate Gold

These awards are telling of all the hard work that our leadership, including exec, officers, chairs, and general members, put into our organization. Our section truly would not be the same without the consistent dedication of our members.

• Cassidy Steel

Reflecting on WE20

This year, the WE20 Conference was virtual for the SWE Illinois section. Several SWEsters reflected on their experiences and how it helped them develop as a professional.

It was my first time attending the conference so I wasn't sure what to expect but it really exceeded anything I could have expected. I personally attended a lot of professional development events as well as diversity and inclusion events and I learned so much. One thing that I really took away from it was how important having confidence in yourself as a professional is whether it's in an interview, with coworkers or your boss, it's so important to take yourself and your accomplishments seriously and know your worth. Another part of the conference that impacted me was meeting with fellow female professionals such as the Central Illinois chat. I learned so much from the two women in my breakout room and they inspired me to invest more thought into my career and professionalism. I really recommend this conference for any SWEster looking to meet and network with inspirational women in engineering and who also want to grow as leaders and professionals. Overall it was such a great experience!

• Cassidy Steel

I have never attended a conference before and was extremely excited for WE20 even if I was participating virtually. The UIUC SWE section did an amazing job of keeping the conference participants engaged by hosting Zoom discussion sessions to go over the workshops and keynote speakers. My favorite feature about the conference being online was the pre-recorded videos and live sessions being recorded. This allowed me to not miss any workshops or talks that I was interested in but had class at that time. I also enjoyed the graphics and virtual set-up of the career fair. I was able to speak with a couple of recruiters and was even invited to a fireside chat for one of the companies. The site was user friendly and even discovered some of the hidden objects placed for the scavenger hunt! I learned so much about my leadership style, mental/physical health balance, the SWE Affinity Groups, and planning Outreach specific events through the sessions I watched. Overall I enjoyed my virtual WE20 experience and appreciate the amount of dedication and time put into making it possible! 

• Christina Garcia 

My favorite part about the WE20 virtual conference was getting to build connections with so many other people in our SWE section. I was worried that with the conference being entirely virtual, I wouldn’t really get to meet new people, but this wasn't the case at all. We had tons of bonding events within our SWE section, as well as a game night with UW Madison and breakfast with the Central Illinois professional section. This conference was a great way to get to know more SWEsters within our section and network with other sections, which was an amazing opportunity to have during my virtual semester from home!

• Abby Culloton

The 2020 pandemic has served everyone unique, unprecedented challenges, and WE20 was no exception. Over 40 members of our SWE-Illinois members hopped online to attend virtual WE20! 

Though virtual, sessions were engaging. Instead of the usual 3 days of events, they were spread over the course of 3 weeks. Some were live, others pre-recorded, others leveraged a semi-live format. Members learned about the effects of gender bias in different countries, self-management strategies for different personality types, leadership styles for technical teams, how to build virtual networking skills, and much more. Additionally, because the conference was virtual, it was more accessible than ever for international SWEesters. Some of our members outside the U.S. were even able to connect with others from their own countries! 

Connecting with other collegiate members is always a huge plus at conferences. We can exchange leadership advice, discuss our different events, and socialize. Fortunately, we were still able to do this in the first-ever SWE-Illinois X SWE-UW Madison event! We played virtual games, socialized, and made sure to connect on LinkedIn to stay in touch. 

Our Team Tech also competed in the first-ever virtual Team Tech competition! Only 10 collegiate teams worldwide are accepted to compete in this competition, and our section’s acceptance is owed to the hard, thoughtful, work that our team put into their project.

A few of our lovely Team Tech members!

To top the experience off, we had our own Celebrate SWE-Illinois! We discussed the history of our section, including SWE’s inception in 1950 and our section’s beginning in 1960. Our current diversity efforts echo the values SWE has always advocated for. In 1976, SWE changed its bylaws to admit men as full members of the organization. In 2020, HeForSWE was officially named an affinity group at HQ and our section’s HeForSWE group was created. We are reminded of how far SWE has come, but how far we have to go in pursuing Diversity and Inclusion in engineering.

Our first faculty advisor, Professor Grace Wilson.

Finally, this year our section won the following awards: 

Mission Award: Best Practice - Professional Development 

Mission Award: Silver 

Best Practice: SWE Resource Promotion 

Collegiate Gold 

We additionally congratulate our alum Grace Pakeltis on winning Outstanding SWE Collegiate Member! 

These awards are telling of all the hard work our leadership, including exec, officers, chairs, and general members, put into our organization. Our section truly would not be the same without the consistent dedication of our members. 

Though this conference was virtual, our members and the rest of the SWE community still had a great time and valuable experience. This blog post is a mere testament to the amazing interactions and education that occurred during WE20. Personally, I’m excited to see what else SWE will bring virtually throughout this pandemic!

• Amanda Hsu

Be Professional 2020 - "Push Through"

On September 9th, SWE hosted one of their first professional development events of the year: Be Professional. But this annual event was turned upside down with the obstacles of the pandemic. How do you arrange a networking event without being able to meet in person? These are not only the challenges for this event, but for networking for college students as a whole. No longer can we make unexpected connections with the classmate sitting next to us in a huge lecture hall, or meet with a professor during their office hours, or chat with an alumna over coffee. Yet, despite all the changes, SWE is still finding ways to expand its members' network, and it started with this event. 

This year’s Be Professional theme was “Push Through”. It centered around questions like how to overcome hurdles in your path, how to turn a weakness into a strength, and overall how to keep on pushing through. Picking the theme was simple enough: the pandemic provided a commonality that all students, faculty, and employees are facing. But more importantly, it fostered an amazing conversation with our corporate representatives that made this event everything it was.

This year’s keynote address, given by Angie Schuler from S&C Electric, tackled this with advice that she learned over her life. Angie is very passionate about empowering others, especially women, in the field of STEM. Starting her career in electrical engineering, she moved up the ranks in S&C Electric to be the Vice President of Power Systems Solutions. Her speech recounted important events in her career and her life, and her words pushed the attendees to not persist in their passions but to also use their place as minorities to their advantage.

The biggest decision we had to make about Be Professional was how to foster networking with our company sponsors in a virtual world. In the past, this event has been extremely formal: with a huge room at the Union, professional attire, and small talk over a buffet-style dinner. Despite the lack of these elements, Be Professional still achieved the standard of professionalism. All the attendees showed up in professional attire, making our Zoom collage of faces look amazing, and invested in the breakout rooms and conversations happening. Our corporate sponsors, S&C Electric and ITW, kept the conversation flowing, chiming in with their quarantine experiences and answering any questions the attendees brought up. Overall, the atmosphere of the event lived up to its name. 

By the end of Be Professional, SWE had achieved what seemed impossible: virtual networking. The major takeaway from the event was that in order to be successful during this pandemic, you need to take your obstacles in stride and put yourself out there to make those connections. Everyone’s lives have been turned upside down, but that does not mean opportunities have stopped. It’s not as easy as it was in person, but it’s definitely not impossible. For all the SWE members struggling to make those connections, we challenge you to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Send that email to your dream company, message an alumna on LinkedIn, ask a professor to be your mentor… you can do it. Push through the pandemic and do the impossible.

Get Educated Discussion Session #3

The third discussion of the get-educated discussion series was held on the 28th of June, 2020. Two TEDx videos - The Cost of Code-Switching by Changra Arthur at TEDxOrlando and Everyday Struggle: Switching Codes for Survival by Harold Wallace at TEDxPittsburgh - were the main focus of this week’s conversation. The discussion sparked thoughts about igniting a new perspective for the attendees.

The session started with understanding what it means to leave true to your true self. From the TEDx videos, both the speakers felt the need to code-switch in order to fit in. As a child, Chandra had to become two different people at home and at school. Harold had to learn how to behave in the classroom and out on the streets in his neighborhood. These experiences prompted the attendees to reflect on their personal situations wherein they have needed to code-switch, or be true to themselves. 

The conversation progressed towards understanding how surroundings played a part in their behavior. From the videos, Chandra and Harold had mentioned that with code-switching, they need to be aware of their surroundings and how they present themselves to others. There was a mutual agreement in the belief that when the people you are surrounded by are true to themself, it’s easier to be true to yourself. While on the other hand, code-switching is necessary at times, especially in the workplace, to maintain professionalism. 

The group then talked about the L.I.E method - The Learn. Implement. Embrace method which was introduced by Harold in his talk. L.I.E. is a method to understand people from different backgrounds and promote compassion and inclusivity. This method equipped the attendees with the ability to have open conversations with people of different beliefs, and also with the ability to become aware of assumptions about people such as gender pronouns.

The sessions finally touched upon John Elliot’s salad analogy, which stated “We don’t need a melting pot in this country, folks. We need a salad bowl, you put in the different things. You want the vegetables, the lettuce, the cucumbers, the onions, the green pepper - to maintain their identity. You appreciate the differences.” In a college setting, we see this analogy in practice when upperclassmen reach out to underclassmen to offer insight about college.

The hour-long conversation brought greater awareness to code-switching among attendees as they brainstormed ways to continue emphasizing inclusivity and diversity in SWE Illinois and beyond.

Presentation, Cost of Code Switching Talk, Switching Codes Talk

Get-Educated Discussion Session #2

The second discussion of the get educated discussion series was held on the 21st of June, 2020. The podcast  “Racism at Work Podcast Episode 1: Micro-incivilities - their impact on individuals and their wellbeing” by Bina Kandola OBE was the piece for discussion. The podcast highlighted micro-incivilities and how they are often unrealized by the perpetrators and emphasized on several topics towards thought-provoking discussions in organizations. 

The session started with attendees sharing their personal experiences with microaggressions and how this podcast and discussion have helped them become better prepared to address similar situations in the future. The paper-cut analogy from the podcast was especially appreciated and understood. The thought that an act of microaggression is just like a paper cut, which doesn’t hurt initially but develops into pain gradually, provided a new perspective to understand microaggression, which also is unrealized at first but upon deeper introspection shows us a perspective which could be, and most of the times is, hurtful towards others. Additionally, the concept of ‘ethnic paranoia’ was also talked about in detail, as this term captured a multitude of emotions associated with ethnic identities. 

The group further looked in understanding how to report microaggressions, and also touched on some of the resources available to us on campus. 

The discussion then progressed towards understanding microaggressions in organizations. Concerns about how to understand the diversity levels of a company and how to assess the authenticity of the diversity initiatives were talked about, and these concerns lead to a better understanding of the importance of statistical representation of diversity by an organization. Additionally, the conversation also highlighted the impact of conferences, which focus on promoting diversity in employment for organizations such as SWE Conferences/ Grace Hopper, etc., on providing a diverse pool of opportunities for both recruiters and applicants alike.

These thoughts further shaped the discussion towards understanding diverse leadership and its importance, and how an organization’s leadership sets the tone for conversations about diversity and microaggressions. 

The hour-long conversation ultimately concluded with the optimistic note that slowly but surely, a progressive change is coming.

Presentation and Podcast

Get-Educated Discussion Session #1

SWE Illinois has taken an initiative to create an open and respectfully shared discussion space about diversity and inclusivity through the get-educated discussion series. This space serves the purpose to spread awareness about the inclusivity of diversity and facilitate enlightening perspectives within the SWE community. The hope is to get better educated and make SWE a welcoming home for all.

As a part of the series, each week one piece of media concerning diversity would be discussed in terms of its interpretations, moral learnings, and similar real-life experiences. The attendees would be initially placed randomly in breakout rooms of 3-4 people, as this ensures an intimate space for everyone to participate, and towards the last few minutes would be invited back to the main room to share their key points of discussion with everyone. 

The series kicked off on the 16th of June, 2020 with its first discussion session. The article “Sounds Like Something a White Man Should Be Doing”: The Shared Experiences of Black Female Engineering Students” by Rashunda L.Stitt (Winston-Salem State University) and Alison Happel-Perkins (University of Memphis) was read and discussed. The article highlighted how Black women engineers encounter instances of racism, sexism, and prejudice that results from the intersection of their race and gender, and the following discussion emphasized several topics and prompted thought-provoking discussions. 

The conversations started with understanding intersectionality. The article helps us understand this concept as it “emphasizes that categories such as race, gender, and sexuality can overlap and form a system of oppression that may be overlooked by only examining one of these dimensions” (63). This leads to the introspection of the extent to which SWE should be race-conscious. These new perspectives made everyone think -  how there exists a pressure to represent minority/minorities - and a specific extract from the article helped us keep the point across in the most relatable manner - “Being the only Black woman was a gift and a curse according to Star, because, as she explained, everyone would remember if she messed up or if she did well. She knew that other students differently positioned by race and class were not held to these same standards'' (68). This initiated a discussion about how organizations and individuals can shift this inherent bias to reduce pressure on minority/minorities and induce a more positive space for mental health and growth. The hour-long discussion culminated with the questions of how we can persist these thoughts for future generations, despite all the adversity that comes along. This prompted self-reflection on an individual level, as the attendees thought of situations similar to few instances from the article.

Brainstorming ways to change and empower the ones who might be facing our often overlooked difficulties, SWE Illinois took this small step towards making our world a little more educated, and a little more inclusive for ourselves, and for all those to come.

Article and Presentation

Things I Learned in College

My name is Richa Vijayvergiya and I’m graduating from Electrical Engineering this May. Quarantine has been a rollercoaster, but it gave me time to reflect and think about what I learned throughout my college experience. Hopefully these things gives you some perspective, so here’s advice that I wish I could have given myself back when I was starting college and things I learned along the way.

1. It’s ok to not be ok sometimes. You don’t always have to put up some kind of facade, and if you’re going through something hard (personally, academically, etc) it’s ok. Keep it all in perspective. Remember that people love you and ice cream can give your heart a hug. Whatever storm you’re going through, you’ll survive it. I believe in you and I love you.

2. Call out for help whenever you need it. At literally every point in my college career, if I called out for help, someone always answered. Sometimes you’ll have to call a friend, other times you might have to call your TA or professor. But I promise that someone will answer your call. If you fell and hurt yourself, you would call for help, and you should apply that logic to every situation. You don’t have to go through everything alone. 

3. Stop comparing yourself to others. You have no idea what they’re going through and they don’t know what monsters you may be tackling at any given point. Instead of comparing, try to show empathy and be supportive without judgement. You’ll meet so many people that come from different backgrounds than you, so just be kind. 

4. Find at least 1 thing that you are passionate about outside of academics like a hobby. It’s ok to lose track of it sometimes, or to be mediocre at the task like being an average painter. But it should make you happy. You could tinker with breadboards and or construct your own catapult, or pick up boxing because you want to feel like Rocky. Whatever it is, you should do it because you genuinely enjoy it. 

5. Choose your people wisely. This goes for friends, professors--any kind of relationship. Some people might give off bad vibes, and others may not match the energy you’re giving off. Don’t ignore these signs. Your people should root for you no matter what, and keep you grounded throughout the process. They should want the best for you and be loving and caring, and catch you when you fall. Take your time to choose your people. 

Why Engineering Outreach is so Important

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

An Open Letter to my SWEsters

As a senior about to graduate in a week there are so many things I am grateful for. One of the things and I most grateful for is SWE and anyone reading this. If you’re a current student, future Illini, or just a high schooler reading this I hope this gives you the warm fuzzy feeling I get writing this. This is an ode, if you will, to my SWEesters (SWE sisters). An affirmation of the immense gratitude I feel being part of this organization.

My journey started in 2016 as a senior in high school at Little Sisters Weekend. This weekend, little did I know, I met my best friend (Yes, we’re still bffs 4 years later). I remember sitting in a Physics 211 lecture with a group of other little sisters. I thought I was SO cool because I was sitting in a COLLEGE lecture. Later that night we played broomball, which was outrageously fun. I look back on those pictures and have nothing but good feelings. The following years I got to be a big sister and watched nervous high school seniors become good friends over night. That feeling will always be with me.

Freshman year rolled around and I was so nervous. Nervous about which RSO’s to join (I figured out what RSO stood for on quad day), nervous for class, and nervous about taking the bus for the first time. The one thing that helped me was the small community I had already formed from attending WIE orientation. A bunch of people that attended LSW were also at WIE orientation. It was like a little reunion! My favorite SWE memory from freshman year was when my friends and I went to the back to school cook out. We were over an hour late. Why? Because we took the wrong bus and got completely turned around. Yes campus is big and scary, but getting lost with friends is actually quite fun.

Now here I am, officially graduated from the U of I and terribly missing all the good times I had in SWE. I was a chair for various outreach events and the best part was always running around all day making sure everything was perfect. It sounds stressful but It was also so much fun, and such a great feeling when parents would complement you. The best was the number of other SWE members that would come to volunteer. People I had not even met yet came to help out at MY event. My heart was always so full! That just goes to show you the type of community you gain from joining SWE. Yes, we are all a bit nerdy in our own way and YES we use SWE puns way too much… but at the end of the day I know I can always count on them.

So, if you’re looking for a place to call home, friends, volunteer work, or free food I encourage you to join (or stay in) SWE. Yes we are all super cheesy with this SWE pun, but it grows on you. You might not think your late nights in the Swoffice are as productive as you’d like but I promise you will talk with amazing people and form friendships you will be so grateful for. Yes, we all love the free food but the next time you sit down at a GM look around you at all the AMAZING and EDUCATED people around you. Yes, YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE AMAZING EDUCATED PEOPLE. Believe it. I promise you, there is so much more than just a bunch of women who are in engineering.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for these past four years. I will cherish them always.

SWE Illinois Archives

I did not realize this until the end of my time at Illinois, but we are all part of something much bigger than our class or committee in SWE Illinois. We can get a glimpse of the SWE that came before us and the SWE that will follow in our first and final years at Illinois, but the individual experience in SWE will be both unique and limited. I am not sure if anyone of us has the most complete picture of what SWE Illinois is.

Amanda Hsu and I have recently been digging around in some of our archives and finding a lot of really interesting information about the history of our section.

This is from our first meeting:

This is Professor Grace Wilson, the founding faculty advisor of our section. This photo was taken from an article in a set of clippings that our section used to maintain about women in engineering.

If you look through the meeting minutes, you might recognize mentions of Little Sister’s Weekend or Mom’s Day Banquet in 1977. It is interesting to think about how the current state of the college of engineering was envisioned by SWE members from the past. On 11/12/1974, there is an entry regarding an SWE’s exhibit for the upcoming Engineering Open House: “It would show that in the year 2001, 50% of the engineers are women. There would be various displays showing what great things women have done in technology up to the year 2001”

 It might not be widely known today, but SWE led a diversity initiative in 2010 for the College of Engineering. We released an anonymous survey for undergraduate and graduate women, publishing these results in the SWE conference magazine.

 I think that knowing our history is important for any member of SWE. It can be a source of inspiration or pride. We have come a long way as an organization, but there is always potential to do more.

 In my small window of four years, I have been blessed to spend time with wonderful, intelligent people in SWE. I hope that this is universal, and that all of us can remember SWE as both a second family and a leader in the Grainger College of Engineering.

As a graduating senior, I am coming to terms with the fact that our archives are limited. We cannot document every moment of our time with the section. Some things will be irretrievably lost, but we can do our best to preserve our experience in photos or chair reports. We don’t know what we don’t know, and in that sense it is hard to draw any conclusions about the importance or magnitude of holes in our history. If we document our section well, we will be able look back at our history and assess progress. That is absolutely necessary.  With at most four years of experience with SWE, no one collegiate member can know what we are capable of, but these records can put a lower bound on our potential. 

A few pointers:

1. Newspaper clippings collected by SWE Illinois

2. SWE Illinois Archives

3. SWE Illinois Diversity Initiative

4. SWE petition to become an RSO

5. Meeting Minutes (1960-1990)

SWEnior Reflections by Alexa

I vividly remember the first SWE GM I ever attended. It was August 2016 and I remember my ENG100 course assistant, who served on NomCom that year, recommended I attended. They served Papa Dels deep dish pizza and it was held in Altgeld 314. I remember hearing all the directors introduce themselves and their committee and even though I was so new to SWE at the time, I couldn't help but imagine myself standing up there as a director. Fast forward almost exactly three years later there I was, standing before my fellow SWEsters at the first GM of the year, as a SWE officer, director of the community service committee, a group I have grown to love and cherish over my time in it. 

I cannot thank the SWE family enough for the home it's given me during my time here. I've met study buddies and best friends for life. Attending WE19 this year was the cherry on top. I got to experience the entire SWE organization in a way I have had before. And it gave me confidence I will be able to find a home in SWE even after I leave Illinois. I'm going to miss SWE Illinois more than I can describe next year. But I know that it will always be there. Thank you to each and every one of you for making SWE what it is and making me so proud and reminding me everyday why I decided to come to that first GM, and why I've been coming back ever since.

The CommServe committee at Committee Feud!

Ten Takeaways from SWE Illinois

Like many of you, I joined SWE my freshman year. Since then, I have had the opportunity to run my own events as a chair, lead a committee as an officer, and serve on the executive board. I have gained so many skills, had so many unique experiences, and made so many friends. Here are ten little tips/takeaways looking back on three years with SWE Illinois.

1. Embrace the time you spend here. Every committee meeting, office hour, event brings you closer to other SWE members.

2. The SWOffice is the place to be! If you’re new to SWE, you can always find an officer or other members to chat with.

3. You can be as involved as you want (whether SWE is life or you only attend general meetings), but you will ALWAYS find a support group in SWE.

4. E-Week is more fun if you go hard. Trust me.

5. Meet and Eats, GMs, and the SWOffice are the best places to find free food and catch up with other SWEsters. These accounted for at least one of my dinners every week.

6. SWE is actually the world’s largest advocate for women in engineering and technology and extends way past college and into your career. You don’t have to stop when you graduate.

7. Take advantage of our many corporate sponsors! Even if you’re not interested in the company or feel under-qualified, info sessions are great opportunities to practice talking with recruiters. Side note: I once had a very awesome conversation about Harry Potter with a recruiter, it can be fun!

8. Go to events! Whether new or old, someone worked very hard to create this amazing experience for you.

9. Practice your right to be fearless. Talk to someone new at an event or in the SWOffice. Hit the dance floor at semi-formal. Run the SWE 5k (especially if you’re scared of running, like me). Get overly competitive at committee feud. You’re in a safe place with people who care about you, don’t be afraid.

10. Without realizing it, SWE became one of my most treasured experiences in college. Perhaps it was the events that you all work so hard to make beautiful or the friends I made along the way. I’ll always find a family here.

This picture features multiple SWEsters at the WE18 Conference in Minneapolis!