About SWE-LA - SWE Los Angeles

WHO WE ARE

The Society of Women Engineers is a non-profit, educational, service organization dedicated to supporting women engineers and encouraging young women to consider an engineering education. Geographically, section membership is spread Calabassas to Long Beach; from Pomona and La Canada to the Pacific Ocean. Our membership is most densely located in the South Bay, the Verdugos, San Gabriel Valley, and San Fernando Valley.

Our mission is to empower women to achieve full potential in careers as engineers and leaders, expand the image of the engineering profession as a positive force in improving the quality of life, and demonstrate the value of diversity and inclusion.

With over 900 members, the Los Angeles Section is one of the largest of the 400+ SWE sections!

*FY23 SWE-LA membership heat map by zip code.*

OUR GOALS AND VALUES

As an organization, SWE provides to its professional members a unique combination of personalized, flexible benefits in the areas of mentoring, training, personal and professional growth – all by women in engineering and for women in engineering.

At the SWE Society Level, there are several goals and values that guide the operations of all collegiate and professional sections.

Society Core Values

We aspire to the highest level of ethical behavior as evidenced by honesty and dignity within our personal and professional relationships and responsibilities.

We embrace diversity in its broadest interpretation and commit to creating an inclusive environment for all our members and stakeholders. We value the contributions of a diverse membership, which enables SWE to achieve its full potential.

We provide an organization that fosters mentoring and the development of professional and personal networks.

We professionally conduct our activities, demonstrating and demanding the highest standards of business practices.

We share a common definition of success with open, transparent access to information, building mutual respect and confidence in the abilities of those with whom we lead, serve, and partner.

Society Strategic Goals

SWE will expand access for, and strengthen the inclusion and retention of, girls and women in engineering and technology.

SWE will champion diversity within engineering and technology and model an inclusive and equitable environment.

SWE will be a global, inclusive community, empowering women in engineering and technology from all locations and life stages.

SWE will be the global authority on and a resource for women in and aspiring to careers in engineering and technology to develop their talents, personally define success, and achieve excellence throughout their life journeys.

SWE LA Section Goals

The Los Angeles Section goals and strategic objectives mirror those at the SWE Society Level. Our goals are revisited annually at the August Strategic Planning Meeting. Our section goals are broken out into three main categories: strategic and operations, outreach, and professional development.

Strategic & Operational Goals

Focus on the professional development of our new board members to build a strong foundation for future years and continue our success as one of the largest SWE sections in the world.

Committees & Succession Planning
Transition & Section Documentation

Increase intentionality with section board positions to reflect functional needs (fundraising), geographic location, and more.

Create tangible, realistic goals and events that directly trace to the society-level goals and objectives.

Growth and Excellence

Professional Development Conference
Three “keystone” technical events – tours, talks/panels, collaboration with professional organizations (WIM, SHPE/SASE/NSBE, SAE), etc.

Advocacy & Collaboration

Collegiate scholarship & fellowship program for Los Angeles area collegiate, graduate/academia SWE sections.
Advocacy workshop
Virtual/In person outreach events: K-12, Networking, Collegiate Transition Party, etc.

Community

Newsletters and social media utilized to communicate events and also highlight accomplishments of our membership.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

At least 2 collaboration type events with other professional organizations.
DEI&B moments during monthly EC meetings.
One event dedicated to DEI&B (workshop, panel, talk).

Connect and give back to your community while sharing your own empowering story.

Host networking events in your hometown with cultural dishes.
Outreach events at your local school.
Provide a tour of your engineering company to showcase what you dreamed of doing growing up.

Professional Development Goals

Continue to host the SWE-LA in person Professional Development Conference at the beginning of the year.
Consider attendee recommendations for location, topics, speakers, food, etc.

Add a new board position: Tours Chair
Host at least three tours of various companies or facilities.
Draw on past tours for repeat ideas (Mattel, Universal Studios, LAX, Metro, Northrop Grumman, SpaceX, etc).

Add a new board position: Professional Society Liaison
Partner with other professional organizations to host events (SHPE, ASME, NSBE, IEEE, AIAA, etc).
Host at least three cross-collaboration events.

Add a new board position: Mentorship Chair
Set up a mentoring program for engineering professionals.

Outreach Goals

Maintain momentum from previous years and establish continually updated outreach calendar.
Advertise the K-12 outreach committee in the newsletter/social media.
Engage and strengthen relationships with local organizations: ie. Girl Scouts LA, Boys and Girls Club, AIAA Young Professionals, etc.
Continue annual outreach events with current partners.
Push to promote/advertise outreach events (SWE-LA and local) on social media accounts, newsletter, and to interested parties.
Collaborate with corporate ERGs where appropriate (Boeing, Northrop Grumman, etc.).

Explore hosting events for/with collegiate sections, outside of traditional scholarship info sessions.
Host quarterly virtual or in-person networking Lunch & Learns at partnering colleges and open to all (boba or snacks).
- Panel discussions
- Resume development (LinkedIn)
- Leadership skills
- SWE Speakers (professional stories/career paths)
Have one visit per school for personal/professional development and/or SWE-LA engagement in their events
Additional fundraising initiatives for annual scholarship awards.

Introduce award for post-docs.
Continue momentum from FY24:
- Graduate Student Scholarship
- Outstanding Faculty Leadership Award
- Graduate/Academia Research Symposium
Maintain established connections and expand.
- Student affairs officers (SAOs) at each of our 8 partnering universities.
- GradSWE (or similar organizations) at each of our 8 partnering universities.
Execute unfinished ideas from FY24.
- Compile a roster of SWE-LA members who have completed higher education degrees to help grow our community and network for SWE-LA members.
- Transitions between degrees, workshop/speaker for post-PhD career paths (e.g., academia, industry, R&D, SciComm, consulting, etc.), navigating mentor-mentee relationships, overcoming challenges in academia.

Put together some resources and events for first-generation college students or engineers.
- New First-Gen committee.

Membership Engagement Goals

Identify potential members through targeted social media posts, industry connections, and other STEM organizations.
Membership form via google forms & follow up email sent.
Showcase year-long accomplishments at PDC and conduct a membership drive at the event.
Utilize Eventbrite for RSVPs to improve visibility of our events to non-followers and people who aren’t on our mailing list and following us on social media.

Events
- Social events to cater to different interests.
  - Diversity & Inclusion
    - Honor heritage months and collaborate with community Organizations & ERGs that are niche.
    - Collaborate with women’s ERGs in different industries on a monthly basis to diversify our membership.
- Volunteer at local college hackathons as mentors and judges.
- Create calendar invites through our section EC email to allow for event reminders.
Big/Little program to pair early career SWEsters with experienced professionals.
- Partnership with the professional development branch!
Membership Spotlights on social media: Member of Month, Graduation Shoutouts, Promotion Shoutouts, and Birthdays.
Better utilization of our Slack channel.

Conduct event surveys to gauge member satisfaction and implement changes as needed.
Encourage members to get more involved throughout the year, with the goal of recruiting enthusiastic board members.