Society of Women Engineers hosts annual networking dinner
Evening with Industry event introduces engineering students to future employers, business partners
Written by Paula Lampley, JD BS EE
Dozens of students and industry representatives attended (Photo/UC CEAS Marketing/Corrie Stookey)
The Society of Women Engineers at the University of Cincinnati welcomed 125 female engineering students and 131 industry representatives, representing 42 corporations, to the annual Evening with Industry event in Tangeman University Center’s Great Hall.
Evening with Industry, held the evening before the Tribunal Technical Career Fair, gives female engineering students a chance to network with corporate representatives from a variety of industries and backgrounds.
Students in UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science value this event because it allows them to create a strong first impression with employers the night before the Technical Career Fair.
It was a great opportunity to meet with employers before the career fair.
Bekah Forshey, UC civil engineering student
Professional & UC student organizations attended the event (Photo/UC CEAS Marketing/Corrie Stookey)
Representatives from corporations such as Marathon Petroleum, Elford Construction, Kinetic Vision, L3 Harris Technologies, Procter & Gamble Co., Owens Corning, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, Maxwell Construction, Turner Construction, Boston Scientific and Thermo Fischer Scientific attended the event.
To prepare students for networking and engaging with corporative representatives during Evening with Industry and the Career Fair, SWE held a Career Fair Prep on September 16, where students learned tips on drafting a great resume and interview attire, as well as suggestions on how to effectively engage and interview with corporate representatives.
Evening with Industry began with a reception in the atrium of Great Hall, followed by five “speed networking” sessions. between each 15-minute networking session, industry representatives rotated among different tables of students , where they engaged with students face to face in small groups. Students enjoyed the event's format, which offered ample opportinites to engage with a variety of industry professionals.
I like being able to sit down in a group and talk to many representatives for periods of 15 minutes and then eat dinner with them.
Lauren David, UC chemical engineering student
The evening concluded with dinner and a panel of industry professionals. Corporate representatives answered student questions, such as “What stands out most in a resume?” and “What is the best way to ensure you receive an offer to return for a second co-op assignment?”
McKenzie Calfo (civil engineering) is a prime example of how students can leverage their experiences at Evening with Industry to make the next step in their career.
Calfo has completed two co-op rotations at Elford Construction. Hiring staff at Elford Construction asked her to attend the Technical Career Fair to help recruit new co-op students. Mckenzie shared that Elford corporate representatives spoke with two co-op students at Evening with Industry, talked with the students further at the Technical Fair, and offered both students co-op positions.
SWE is honored to serve as the host for Evening with Industry and looks forward to increasing the number of corporate representatives and students who attend the September 15, 2020 event.
Evening with Industry is the catalyst to jump start career exploration for freshman students and a chance to discuss co-op positions and post graduate job opportunities for others students. It’s a win – win event for both the corporate representatives and the students.
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