Back to School, Back to SWE

Right about this time of year, our collegiate members should be getting back into the swing of the normal college routine. After a (most likely not) relaxing summer, we’re all picking up where we left off in our classes, jobs, research positions, internships, campus social lives, and extracurricular activities. I wanted to remind everyone that this change in routine is an awesome time to get pumped about SWE! Here are three things you can do to get yourself and your chapter energized for the new year.

1. Plan a new STEM outreach activity. I’m sure most of your chapters are actively involved in STEM outreach, but those of you that aren’t should really consider it. Here’s a list of cool ways to teach engineering to kids: http://teachengineering.org/ A lot of STEM activities involve volunteering with young, impressionable children, and brainwashing/guiding them to make the best choice they’ll ever make in their lives – the choice to become an engineer.
2. Register for national conference! http://we11.swe.org/attendees/registration The deadline for collegiate early bird registration is September 16^th, so register as soon as possible for the most discounted rate. And if you’re a small chapter and you are unable to raise funds to attend national conference this year, don’t fret, as there will be an awesome regional conference at Columbia University this spring, which will hopefully be in road tripping distance from most of us.
3. Arrange for CLCC coaching! This is an awesome resource for everyone, especially smaller, newer, or struggling chapters. Trained SWE mentors will give you loads of advice, and even visit your campus, to help fortify your chapter and boost up your SWE credibility. Check out more info here: http://societyofwomenengineers.swe.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1726&Itemid=432

The beginning of the academic year is the awesome time to get motivated in all aspects of your life, including SWE. What are you doing to get pumped for the coming year? Share your tips in the comments section!

 

 

 

Invitation to National Dam Safety & Engineering Conference, Sept. 25-29, 2011 in Washington D.C.

Undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff involved in fields related to dam safety – including engineering, geology, hydrology, environmental and agricultural sciences, construction, risk assessment, and more – are invited to attend Dam Safety 2011, the 28th annual national conference of the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO), to be held September 25-29 at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel, in the Washington, DC area at National Harbor, Maryland. The conference is expected to attract more than 900 attendees representing state and federal agencies, engineering consulting firms, researchers, dam owners, and others interested in dam safety from throughout the US and several foreign countries. Conference admission is free for university students who present a valid student ID. Professors are invited to bring their classes to the conference in order to give students the opportunity to attend the sessions, visit the exhibit hall, and network and learn about career opportunities, internships, scholarships, and more in a special hospitality lounge for students and young professionals. Technical sessions will begin on Monday, September 26 with a keynote address on national infrastructure needs by Ohio Congressman Steven C. LaTourette. Additional highlights include sessions on lessons learned from dam failures and incidents, best practices of state and local levee safety programs, and dam security, ten years after 9/11. The full agenda is posted at www.damsafety.org, on the Dam Safety 2011 pages. Students may register on-site, or by mailing, faxing or emailing the registration form by September 21. (Circle “comp” next to “Student” on the left-hand side of the form. The right column includes Membership rates.) Dam Safety 2011 is a fantastic opportunity for students who are interested in careers in engineering, geology, and water resources. Please forward to those who may be interested, and feel free to contact me if you have questions.

 

Sincerely,

Sarah McCubbin-Cain

Association of State Dam Safety Officials

www.damsafety.org

859/257-2102

Additional Upcoming Events:

2012 ASDSO Southeast Regional Conference, May 6-9, Louisville, KY

Dam Safety 2012 National Conference, Sept 16-20, Colorado Convention Center, Denver

2012-2013 ASDSO Undergraduate Scholarship   Up to $10,000 awarded to undergraduates planning to graduate in 2013.  Application forms will be available soon.  Application deadline: March 31, 2012.