Show Notes
I’m always honored to share wisdom with you. And today I have new insights from my recent adventures at the WE Local conference in Buffalo NY.
Several WE Local conferences take place every year in the US and globally. These are hosted by the Society of Women Engineers.
While attending the WE Local conference this month I was reminded how important it is to get together with colleagues and friends in the engineering field. And nothing is more motivating than being at the same event with 500 women engineers.
I had forgotten how reassuring it is to engage in conversation with those who share similar career experiences. How inspiring it is to gain personal insights from successful technical executives…and from engineering students.
I had forgotten how uplifting it is to share a lunch table with true role models. How motivating it is to make new connections during hallway and sidebar conversations.
I was also reminded that some of the best leadership experiences and learning opportunities come from outside the workplace. In these kinds of gatherings you can put yourself out there by leading a meeting or giving a presentation.
Positive Dynamics of Professional Conferences for Women Engineers
Conferences offer many positive experiences to enrich your career. Several times during the event I paused to observe the dynamics. There’s learning at formal meetings. Networking at informal meet-ups. And renewal of career friendships through casual exchanges.
Beyond the list of events on the agenda here are some of the things I experienced:
- Late career engineers mentoring early career engineers, and vice versa.
- Engineers at all levels engaging and sharing lessons learned and best practices.
- Lively post-session Q&A discussions.
- Professionals from all walks of life celebrating our differences and all the ways we are the same.
I love the upbeat and enthusiastic atmosphere. I love meeting new people and reconnecting with engineering friends I’ve had for decades. I love teaching professionals and students in an engaging session. And I love celebrating members as they receive awards.
Conference Benefits for Women Engineers and their Employers
I encourage you to invest in yourself by being part of professional groups and attending their conferences and events. Hopefully your employer supports your involvement and provides some travel and registration funding for at least one event per year. Be sure to ask about it.
Support may be more difficult if you work for or run a small company. So you might have to get creative. You can attend events that are in your geographical area for less cost. Or travel funds are often available for members or volunteers of professional associations.
If you’re a government employee, approval and funding for conferences can be tricky. You might have to cut through some red tape. But it’s not impossible. And it’s worth pursuing.
If you need to convince your boss of the advantages of attending, I have a list here. Remember if the conference benefits you, it also benefits your boss and your organization. If it’s building your technical knowledge or professional development that’s a plus for your employer.
Conferences afford you the following opportunities. Consider that you’ll:
- Learn about the latest innovations and insights.
- Meet thought leaders, influencers and industry experts face to face.
- Make new contacts and stay connected with friends and colleagues.
- Improve presentation and communication skills.
- Refine your ideas.
- Get feedback from outside your organization.
- Learn from others’ experiences.
- Gain insights and ideas to establish your credibility and expertise.
- Find opportunities to give back and stay involved in the community.
Take-aways from a Weekend with 500 Women Engineers
At WE Local, I enjoyed hearing insights from the opening keynote speaker, Johanna Vasquez, a corporate Senior Director of Break-through Innovation. She spoke about The Quest for Success. In closing, I’d like to share some of her sage advice. (Note the paraphrasing is mine.)
- Enjoy every moment of your career. Have clarity of destination and a plan to get there. Focus on the journey not the destination.
- Your career is a road always under construction. Adjust your expectations as you go.
- Be respectful and inclusive to everyone. Treat others how you like to be treated and how they like to be treated.
- Cultivate relationships. The relationship you have with yourself sets the stage for those with others.
- Focus on what you can control. Including what meaning you give to things and to what people say and do.
- There is no replacement for the role you play in your personal life. Though sometimes work is a priority. It’s good for your kids to see that your work is important.
- Remind yourself of the things you have accomplished. And hug yourself every day.
No experience can take the place of attending a well-planned, high quality professional conference. It will provide a broader perspective for you. And it’s an unmatched opportunity for networking and career visibility.
See if you can include a professional association’s event in your development plan this year.
Next time on Her Engineering Career Podcast, we’ll discuss how your career is more important than your job. Tune in for more great insight on Episode 47.