Advancing Women Engineers (AWE) is an initiative designed to provide a support network that helps inspire, recruit, retain, graduate, and launch more women engineers and computer scientists into successful careers.
We believe that when women support women, incredible things happen. Showing young women how they can reach their dreams through an engineering education will take a village of women professionals at all stages of their careers.
Mission
AWE’s mission is to create a community of support for advancing women in the field of engineering. This network will inspire and connect young women with mentor relationships and opportunities for building confidence, leadership skills, and a sense of belonging.
Vision
Syracuse University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) will be the first choice for prospective women engineers because they know they will have a “secret weapon” in the AWE (Advancing Women Engineers) Networking Group.
AWE believes that women engineering students and young professionals can do it all! With the support of a caring community of ECS alumnae, this network will inspire women to go after successful careers in engineering while enhancing their own well-being and maintaining life balance. We do this through mentorships, confidence building, career path advice, personal and professional development opportunities, internship connections, lecture series, panel discussions, networking events, and program sponsorships. AWE will empower ECS women to develop their identities as engineers and to become who they want to be—the drivers of change and solvers of problems.
Student Benefits
- Direct access and support through networking with a wide range of successful women engineers and computer scientists
- A sense of belonging, both on campus and within the professions they are exploring
- Development of “engineering identity” via meaningful contact with women they admire and relate to
- Awareness of the role of engineers in solving some of the world’s most difficult problems
- Awareness of the variety of purposeful and interesting work done by engineers
- Improved perceived image of women engineers and changing the mindset
- Increased retention, persistence, and degree completion
- Increased internship opportunities and connections within their chosen field
- Improved confidence and career readiness
- Connections within their chosen field that help them land their first position
Want to get involved? Join our LinkedIn network!
Scope and Commitment
We are asking AWE members to engage in high-impact actions that women professionals are uniquely positioned to provide and that enhance ongoing College activities.
Mentoring: Participate in one-on-one mentorships and ECS career-focused events; examples include remote or in-person mentoring, panels, expert talks, and discussions on the AWE LinkedIn Group.
You can also join the Syracuse University Alumni Mentoring Program.
Professional Access: Participate in, or secure your company’s participation in, internship fairs, student design or research projects, ECS recruitment events, and the like. Act as an ambassador to open doors for ECS graduates in your company and make introductions, whenever possible.
Amplify: Share ECS and AWE messaging on social media.
Expand The Village: Identify, nominate, and invite members who are committed to building a tidal wave of women engineers, with the aim of AWE membership reflecting our student population as much as possible.
Events
AWE will host a variety of live events to promote engagement and connections between ECS alumni and current students. These may include:
- Virtual networking opportunities
- Immersion programming
- Industry Day events
- “Real Talk” sessions highlighting various industries
- Virtual conference watch parties
Membership
Contact Heather Carroll, ECS Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement, at hrcarrol@syr.edu to learn more about joining the AWE steering committee.
Donations
Donations are not required for membership in AWE, but individual and corporate donations are heartily encouraged and will be celebrated. From time to time, ECS Advancement staff will bring special giving opportunities identified by the Dean to the membership. Examples may include an AWE named scholarship, or funds for students to attend leadership training or other career development.