How to Stay Connected to Women in Engineering While Off Campus
With winter break quickly approaching, you might be wondering how to stay connected to Women in Engineering if you're off campus. Whether you’re a high school student with concerns about college life, a first-year Purdue student with internship questions, or a senior needing some career advice, having a wide network of women in engineering to reach out to is always useful. But it can be a struggle to build that network or sustain it if you don’t have many women in engineering naturally around you, like you might on campus. So, here are some suggestions on how to stay connected!
Communities/Organizations:
If you know where to look, there are organizations that are built for women in engineering of all ages. The Society of Women Engineers has an alumni network, conferences, as well as high school, collegiate, and professional chapters. Girls Who Code has great programs and clubs to join. Some high schools may have women in engineering clubs to join, and there may be professional organizations nearby that are more local.! Ask around and find out if there’s anything near you to join in person.WiE Social Media:
We have multiple social media outlets where current Purdue students upload content ranging from Day in the Life reels to YouTube dorm tours. We have this blog, a YouTube channel, and Instagram and Facebook accounts. These social media channels are a great way to have your questions answered, and if nothing posted answers your question, just send us a private DM on Instagram, @purdue.wie. We’re always happy to chat on there!
LinkedIn:
There are thousands of women in engineering on LinkedIn, all of whom have different career paths and experiences they can draw from. If you want to work for a specific company, you can find women engineers on their page you can connect with. The same goes for students at specific engineering schools. If you don’t know what to say, even a simple “Hi! I’m a high school student interested in mechanical engineering and would love to hear about your engineering experience” works just fine. The worst-thing that happens is they don’t answer, and you message someone else. The risk is low, and the potential reward of learning from someone already doing what you hope to do, is huge.
Universities:
At Purdue, we have a ton of Women in Engineering events, for both prospective students and current students. Although these require time and travel, you can meet lots of friends and/or mentors that you can keep in contact with. If travel isn’t possible, many universities (including Purdue) now offer virtual info sessions run by women engineering students or faculty, which are also helpful when it comes to widening your network. Additionally, please don’t hesitate to email us at welink@purdue to ask questions or set up a video chat. We would love to connect with you!
Engineering as a woman can feel isolating when you’re away from campus or don’t see many women in your classes or at work. But you never have to do it alone. With a little effort and courage, like sending DMs, joining communities, and showing up to virtual events, you can build an incredible network of women who support, encourage, and guide you.
Engineering as a woman can feel isolating when you’re away from campus or don’t see many women in your classes or at work. But you never have to do it alone. With a little effort and courage, like sending DMs, joining communities, and showing up to virtual events, you can build an incredible network of women who support, encourage, and guide you.
Heidi Kennard, FYE
Recruitment Project Committee
Stay Connected With Purdue WiE Program!
Facebook: Purdue Women in Engineering
Instagram: @purdue.wie
Blog: purduewiep.blogspot.com
Email: welink@purdue.edu
Use the hashtag #PurdueWiE on Facebook and Instagram!
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