Engineering is often regarded as a realm of innovation, creativity, and problem-solving, shaping the very foundation of our modern world. Yet, for many young women stepping into this field, it’s a journey of breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry. In most situations, engineering is a male-dominated field, however, USC strives to be one of the few to admit ~50% female and ~50% male engineers to create a cohesive, collaborative, and diverse community of innovative engineers.
Building a Support Network
One of the most empowering aspects of being a young woman in engineering is finding a community of like-minded individuals. The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) here at USC provides a platform to connect, mentor, and inspire. These networks are more than just professional groups; they’re lifelines that offer support, celebrate achievements, and foster a sense of belonging in what can often feel like an isolating field.
As a SWE ambassador, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of mentorship. Having the opportunity to attend networking events special to USC SWE or bonding events where we all study together helps to create an even stronger cohort of female engineers. I have seen engineers and computer scientists from companies like Google, Space X, Medtronic, and more who have spoken on panels to empower ambitious female engineers striving for greatness at USC. When I was navigating the daunting field and all the exciting resources here, seeing fellow female engineers thriving planted a seed of possibility in my mind.
Courtesy of the USC SWE Instagram, @sweusc! This is one of the many events put on by SWE that provides amazing opportunities for students to learn more about the industry and have access to exclusive mentoring / networking!
A Feeling of Belonging Within the Classroom
Even in class, I am surrounded by a cohort of brilliant female mechanical engineers. In both of my group projects in my Introduction to Mechanical Engineering course (AME-101), at least two out of four members were female. Not only do different genders provide a different perspective / approach to certain problems, but it also creates relatability and comfort within the group. I feel much more comfortable to strive for greatness and do my best when I am surrounded by other females in the field. Mechanical engineering, in particular, is one of the more male-dominated fields of engineering, so experiencing such noticeable changes to the field is truly wonderful.
USC’s immense effort to create a home for their engineers, especially female engineers, was one of the many reasons that I decided to choose it as my home about 1.5 years ago. SWE has been especially helpful in understanding, handling, and navigating all the amazing opportunities that come with being a student in the Viterbi School of Engineering. For my female engineers, don’t let the nationwide statistics of women in engineering intimidate you and join a community that values equal representation even in a historically male-dominated field like engineering. After all, nothing beats the Trojan Family. Fight On!
