Welcome To The Region G Blog
Hello All! Welcome to the SWE Region G blog as run by your FY 13 Region Collegiate Communications Editor (RCCE)! Region G is the Ohio Valley Region, which contains sections from Kentucky, Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. To get started, my name is Amanda Thorp, and I am a senior chemical engineering student at West Virginia University. Not only will I be the Region G RCCE, but I will also be serving as the WVU Section President. Please browse some of our useful permanent pages, as well as some of our popular categories, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss any important posts!
May Hot Topic: Life Transitions
It’s hard to believe that a year has already passed since I took on the job of RCCE. When I look back, this year seems to be a blur (and my whole college career at that rate). It seems like just yesterday I was a freshman in the dorms, worrying about classes like physics and calculus…wondering if Chemical Engineering was the right major for me. To this day, I’m still not really sure, but a comment that I heard during one of the Region G sessions sums it up perfectly, “Engineering might not be where you end up…but it’s a great place to start.”
And it’s true! I know many students that started out as engineering majors, then switched to pharmacy or biochemistry…even parks and tourism. Hey, it’s not a major for everyone, but the little time in engineering helped them gain that “engineering mindset,” even if only for a semester. Even though they might have been teased for dropping out, they sure weren’t too far behind (I know one guy that switched to pharmacy late in the game, and it still graduating on time with his undergrad). Beyond that, when you look at jobs, the possibilities are endless. Just because you have an engineering degree, that does not mean you have to have an engineering job or career. Even though I ultimately took a process engineering position at BP, I had offers for consulting with Deloitte, technical sales with Eaton, etc. Despite the fact I’m in process engineering now, I would ultimately like to get into management, consulting, or maybe even become an elementary school science teacher. The possibilities are truly endless with an engineering degree.
Although my college career didn’t proceed in the typical “Animal House” fashion with mounds of partying and drinking (and the late nights were the results of cramming), I am happy knowing that in roughly 24 hours, I will no longer be an engineering student…I will be an engineer. And I am excited to see where this will lead me.
Distillery tour at the Region G Conference
(Me-Left, Sara Swanson (WVU Treasurer)-Right)
Strong > Skinny
I stumbled across this blog post on future RCCE Ruth William’s Facebook. Although it’s not a perfect article, it does present some interesting points about how emphasis should be put on encouraging women to become strong, rather than skinny. It is not saying that skinny (or any body type for that matter) is bad, but rather how we should be motivating women to become strong: whether that is “running for student council, pursing a passion, studying, volunteering, playing sports, working, furthering woman’s rights…” It shows a spotlight on the unhealthy obsession with weight loss in the media, in culture, and even in politics. It’s about having girls focus their time, energy, and emotions on healthy and positive ways of life. Think about all the things we could accomplish.
Spread the Strength
http://sophieologie.wordpress.com/2013/05/12/strong-is-the-new-skinny-pg/
Call for Committee Members
SWE Members,
I am pleased to announce the call for FY14 committee members. The power of our committees and our volunteers is what moves SWE forward. Society committees are also a major aspect of our talent development pipeline process. I encourage both collegians and professionals to join the SWE volunteer team for FY14!
If you currently serve on a committee, please confirm with the current leader your interest in continuing to serve in FY14. If you are not serving on a committee and are interested in serving, please complete the online volunteer interest form. Please submit your form by May 30, 2013. You can learn more about the Society committees and find contact information for current chairs on the committees page of the SWE website. Click here for a complete list and description of committees seeking volunteers for FY14. You will be contacted by the committee chair by early July to discuss volunteering options. There are a wide range of opportunities and levels of commitment.
SWE values diversity and thus I encourage all of you to think about the opportunity of serving on a committee. Thanks to all who are currently serving. I am looking forward to another great year of progress!
Stacey DelVecchio
FY13 President Elect
