On March 1, future and current engineering students, as well as industry professionals, gathered at the former Dominion University for the annual event of women excellant in engineering (WE2).
Created by the Batten College of Engineering and Technology in 2018, We2 links budding engineers to successful professional engineers, promoting mentorship and advice in a male majority industry.
According to the American work statistics office (2024)Women represent only 17% of the workforce in the architectural and engineering professions.
Students could choose from two panels: how to succeed in preparing colleges and career. An opening sign, managing a successful engineering career, followed.
Student panel subjects included the commitment of students, prevention of professional exhaustion, the manufacture of curriculum vitae and the security of internships.
The main discussions include the development of leadership, considerations of higher education, mentorship and professional progress strategies.
Whitney Digiantomaso, a public transport planner at Kimley-Horn and Associates and Recorded Professional Engineer (PE), discussed the importance of personal care.
“As women, we tend to want to do very well,” she said. “But you can have several things you do in your life at different times – you could be a mother, you could work, you could be a woman.”
“Your work is just a job-it’s not your life,” she added.