50 years of recruiting, supporting, and retaining women in engineering at MSU

<p>Michigan State University’s chapter of the <a href="https://www.egr.msu.edu/swe/about-us">Society of Women Engineers</a> is celebrating its 50th anniversary of recruiting, supporting, and retaining women in the engineering profession. </p><p> </p><p>Three Spartan Engineers discuss the evolution of women in engineering, challenges and opportunities ahead in the next 50 years, and share their advice for young women interested in STEM fields. The panel discussion includes <a href="https://www.facebook.com/generalmotors/videos/anything-is-possible%EF%B8%8F-dayana-villagran-is-a-mechanic/2692227630937467/">Dayana Villagran, ’21 alum, General Motors mechanical engineer</a>; <a href="https://www.egr.msu.edu/people/profile/ljgenik">Dr. Laura Genik, Applied Engineering Sciences Director/alum</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-purdue/">Sara Purdue, mechanical engineering senior, actively involved in Women in Engineering</a>.</p><p> </p><p><strong><em>Conversation Highlights</em></strong>:</p><p> </p><p>(6:05) – “I think the Society of Women Engineers has done a lot to advance the community of women in engineering.”</p><p> </p><p>(7:54) – “Representation is a huge thing. And if you see somebody like you, or someone who has a similar background, it can spark that possibility that you can also get there.”</p><p> </p><p>(8:47) – “I think you come into an engineering program expecting to be surrounded by men.”</p><p> </p><p>(10:24) – “One of the main things that has always stuck in the back of my head is that everyone has these expectations for you being a woman in engineering. If someone asks me what I’m majoring in and I say mechanical engineering, they say ‘Wow, that’s really impressive. That’s awesome of you.’ And although it comes from a good place, they’re often shocked and don’t expect it. So be prepared for that reaction but be proud of what you’re doing.”</p><p> </p><p>(11:46) – “I would say the biggest thing is not to be afraid.”</p><p> </p><p>(13:38) – “It has to start in the K-12 realm whe