Why Join the GradSWE Leadership Team?

As I reflect on my time as the Graduate Member Coordinator/Elect, I consider myself incredibly lucky to have found myself on a team of women who are passionate about SWE and its mission as well as a community to navigate my graduate career with. 

The GradSWE Leadership Team has provided me with countless opportunities and resources:

1. Community: The women who I have worked alongside over the past two years are some of the most inspiring and dedicated people I have ever met. Their perseverance and support have been unmatched and continually push me to be my best.  I have made lifelong friends who I can turn to for advice, support, and laughs.
2. Networking: My time on the leadership team has allowed me to meet a diverse group of female engineers.  Research talks, conferences, and webinars have provided venues to meet graduate students from across the country and throughout the world.  It has also provided me the space to network with people working both in industry and academia.  
3. Society Experience: Over the past two years, my work on the team has connected me with members of the Board of Directors and society leadership who have shared countless pieces of information on how SWE operates and how to best utilize the amazing resources at my disposal. 
4. Leadership Experience: Like it says in the name, being a part of this team provides invaluable leadership experience.  Whether it is planning our mentoring program, helping promote diversity & inclusion, or making society conferences more impactful for graduate students, being a member of the GradSWE Leadership Team is a great opportunity to gain leadership experience in a hugely influential way.

If you have read my blogs over the past two years, you know two things to be true: 1. Life is variable but SWE is my constant and 2. Community is vital in your life especially while in graduate school. After a very difficult year, it is hard to imagine taking on a new role or position.  Times have been tough and as graduate students we have been stretched thin, but I am here to tell you that time spent on this team has been instrumental in shaping my graduate career and I would not trade it for anything.  Society leadership applications are open now and GradSWE Leadership Team Applications will open this week! Consider joining these great teams!

If you have any questions reach out to me at grad-coordinator@swe.org!

Grace Pakeltis | Graduate Member Coordinator