Haley Barnes, LCL
Learning Content Coordinator
- See if there are any local professional sections near you. By moving to Fort Worth, I had the opportunity to join the Fort Worth professional section or the Dallas professional section. Though I was not surrounded by students, I still was able to participate in the SWE fellowship. I also had close proximity to mentors and because of my involvement in the section, I also was alerted about volunteering opportunities that impacted my community.
- Get involved with the Society by joining the Facebook group and participating in a committee. With social media and the new update to the Society website, it is extremely easy to become involved with the international activities of the Society. Check out opportunities to serve on a Society committee, organize a workshop at WE Local, or volunteer at WE19.
- Don’t be afraid to start a new section where you are! Your SWE identity does not have to be tied to a section. You represent SWE wherever you go! If you have enough people at your campus interested, you may be able to start a SWE section. The Society also offers has a ‘Member-At-Large’ membership option for those who travel frequently or are geographically isolated from a local section. You also have the freedom to reach out to other SWE sections that may be out of your driving range but can be accessed by Skype or webinar. During semesters where I couldn’t be super involved in professional sections, I scheduled meetings to speak to the collegiate sections in my metroplex.