Engineered Empowerment

At Oakland University, the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is more than just a student club—it’s a transformative force empowering women to break barriers in the world of engineering. From providing professional development and employment opportunities to fostering lifelong connections and leadership skills, OU SWE is shaping the future of women in STEM, one engineer at a time.

Founded in 1950, SWE has a long history of addressing the gender disparity in engineering and serving as a supportive network for women. The chapter at Oakland University is no exception, with a strong commitment to offering mentorship, building professional networks, organizing growth-centered events and cultivating a deep sense of belonging in its members.

BoiGia Phui envisions sustained growth in the coming years through hosting more events and fostering a larger, more engaged community.

“What attracted me to SWE in the first place is its strong sense of community — one that is dedicated specifically to supporting and empowering women in STEM,” shares BoiGia Phui, a computer science student and the current president of SWE. “SWE encourages inclusivity; it is a place for women from all backgrounds to come together, share experiences and uplift one another.”

This sense of belonging is echoed by Sanjana Yagnambhatt, Ph.D. ME’24, the organization’s past president, who speaks candidly about her experiences of being one of only a few women in her field during her undergraduate years in India. “I faced a significant lack of mentorship and had very few female peers or faculty members to connect with. The challenge of being a woman in engineering, however, motivated me further as I recognized the importance of representation in a male-dominated field,” she recalls. 

For her, OU SWE filled a significant gap by providing the support she previously lacked and inspiring her to take leadership roles within SWE, both at the collegiate and professional levels. While reflecting on this journey, she highlights the importance of such leadership experiences in her personal development. “My participation in the Academic Leadership for Women in Engineering program through SWE was a transformative experience. During the program, I engaged in a human potential workshop where I mapped out significant life experiences to identify my strengths and areas for growth. This helped me understand how to leverage my top skills to overcome challenges, while being mindful of potential weaknesses,” she says.

Dr. Sanjana Yagnambhatt received the Guiding Star Award from the SWE President at the 2023 WE Local conference, an event designed to connect individuals at all stages of their collegiate and professional journeys

In addition to their personal growth, OU SWE significantly impacts members’ professional growth. For example, the chapter has formed a robust network of industry connections that offer women access to professional development opportunities, internships and potential job placements. 

"We have had big companies, such as Stellantis, General Motors, Ford, Aptiv and Mahle, collaborate with us to network with our members, share their insights on the industry and offer their current open job or internship positions," shares Sivasakthi Muthukumar, an undergraduate student majoring in electrical and computer engineering, as well as the chapter’s vice-president. 

Through these events, Muthukumar was able to secure interviews and practice her job searching skills, which she credits with helping her career. Yagnambhatt also recalls an “Adulting 101” event — organized by the chapter — that provided professional financial and human resources advice, including salary negotiation tips and insights into Roth IRAs. “We are often focused on just landing a job after graduation and miss the whole package of salary benefits. For many students, these topics were invaluable, as they prepare for the world beyond the classroom,” she says.

Sivasakthi Muthukumar places a special emphasis on leveraging chapter events to build professional networks, gain industry insights and create opportunities for personal and career growth.

The increasing success of SWE at Oakland University is apparent through its members’ enthusiasm, particularly during the first general body meeting of the school year. Muthukumar describes the Fall 2024 event as a major milestone for the chapter. “We ended up having over 40 members at the meeting, and half of them were first-year students,” she says. “This was the biggest turnout we have seen for SWE events so far.” 

Muthukumar’s excitement about the growing interest in SWE mirrors the broader trend of increased female participation in engineering at OU, which rose from 21.7% to 27.3% in the past year alone.

Dr. Laila Guessous, professor of mechanical engineering and the chapter’s advisor since 2003, agrees. “I recall my days as an undergraduate student when I was often the only, or perhaps one of two women students in my engineering classes. I am delighted to see many female engineering students now,” she emphasizes. “SWE plays an important role in the School of Engineering and Computer Science as it allows its members to connect with each other and receive mentorship from others.” 

Dr. Guessous also credits the SWE’s e-board with the chapter’s success. “The success of the OU SWE depends on the participation of its member students, and I am very proud of the work of the current and past few e-boards, which have been organizing many interesting events and doing an excellent job of increasing the chapter’s social media presence,” she says.

As they look ahead to the future, OU SWE members are optimistic about the chapter’s continued growth and impact. Phui believes that — with renewed focus and more events — the organization will continue to strengthen. “We’re setting the stage for sustained growth in the coming years with more events, a larger and more engaged community, and an increasing number of girls joining us,” she says. Muthukumar is committed to ensuring that the chapter remains active and relevant too, stating that she hopes to see SWE “host many more meaningful events in the future.”

OU SWE is an empowering movement for women in engineering that extends well beyond graduation. Not only are its members shaping their own futures, but they are also paving the way for the next generation of women engineers. As Yagnambhatt explained, “SWE helps women build leadership abilities, confidence and a strong sense of belonging in the engineering world.” With such a solid foundation, OU SWE’s future looks bright!

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