Alumni Alumni: Alumni and professionals lend advice to aspiring engineers

6th annual Empowering Women in STEM event connects UMassD students and STEM professionals

UMass Dartmouth boasts an energized, motivated group of women who are eager to use their sharp minds to develop innovative solutions to future challenges. These extraordinary students want to make a difference in their communities, the region, and the world and help people live healthier, better lives by using innovations in science and engineering to solve problems. And who better to help guide them than the women who blazed trails of their own to build successful careers at engineering firms, defense industry contractors, and emerging fields like offshore wind development.

At the annual Empowering Women in STEM networking event, current students studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics take another step in their journeys by expanding their networks and visualizing what their futures might look like. During a networking roundtable session, students tapped into the wisdom and experience of the professionals on topics such as maximizing their internships, preparing for job interviews, building their networks, and identifying their passions within the field. Proceeds from the event support engineering scholarships.

The event helps students gain a glimpse into what working in a professional engineering setting could look like from people who have traveled similar paths. Advice from professionals ranged from leveraging LinkedIn to establish connections to emphasizing the importance of an internship. “Find people who are also passionate about the same interest and your network will grow,” said one participant.

“The Empowering Women in STEM event stands out as it is designed to support students at every stage of their academic journey, meeting them exactly where they are in that moment and providing opportunities for growth,” said Jennifer Murphy, assistant dean for academic programs in the College of Engineering.

For first-year students, the event offers invaluable access to role models who can help guide their path. Sophomores gain insight into a variety of potential career paths, while juniors have the opportunity to refine their communication skills and personal branding. For seniors, participating in the event boosts confidence and prepares them for the transition from academia to the professional world.

“Events like this help me to expand my network, find internships, and learn about what I’d like to do in my engineering career,” said a student.

Guests from engineering companies, like RTX, BAE Systems, and SEACORP, LLC, described the cultures in their workplaces and what skills are most valued in those environments. Students engaged in conversations with women who serving in roles as systems engineer, director of hardware engineering, and software engineer, to name a few, asking about their transition from student to professional and what steps they took to advance their careers. 

Abigail Fabian ’20 M’22 was a student herself not long ago in attendance at this event and now has the pleasure of seeing the benefits of this event from all angles. Fabian is now a senior electrical engineer, specializing in signal processing at RTX and is passionate about creating opportunities for women in STEM as the vice president of Women in Defense—Greater Boston Chapter. “As a student, this event showed me all the opportunities available in the defense industry and helped me make connections that support me to this day,” she said. “Now, as a professional, I enjoy giving advice to students that I wish I had and easing their fears of finding a place in industry. Every year I’m blown away by the talent and passion of the students, and I hope to work with more students from UMass Dartmouth for years to come.”

Lightning talks by invited speakers delivered powerful advice to the aspiring scientists and engineers, recounting how they stayed focused on their personal and professional goals while following winding career paths and overcoming setbacks. Sondra Blank​, deputy program manager​ at RTX, stressed the importance of networking and recognizing opportunities and identifying one’s own goals. When many budding professionals may ask “where do I go from here,” Seema Peters​, principle systems engineer​ at BAE Systems, reminded students that there is not one defined path. “The best path was following my own passions,” Peters said.

Kelsey Perry​, external affairs manager​ at SouthCoast Wind​, offered advice on entering an emerging industry and carving out a role based on your skills. She combined her chemistry background and interest in sustainability to create a place for herself in the offshore wind industry where she bridges the gap between science and communities. Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Nefeli Bompoti, Ph.D.​, advised students to learn to work collaborately, but maintain independence and to choose organizations that will support their growth.

The evening concluded with recognizing this year’s recipients of the Women in Defense—Greater Boston Chapter scholarships: Vanessa Albino, Kimber-Starr Bourque, Kaylin Burns, Mila Dafov, Katelyn DeMello, Momoko Kudara, Nicole Lobo, Cassandra Matias, and Mary Quin.

This year’s event was sponsored by The Jacobs Family Foundation, Women in Defense-Greater Boston Chapter and its annual sponsors, and Southcoast Wind.