We kicked off the Fall 2005 semester with a great Welcome banquet. Over 60 new and returning Grad-SWE members came out to have some delicious food and lots of fun with fellow students. In October we had a special “Chocolate Fondue Movie Night.” What could be more bonding then relaxing with your Grad-SWE friends while watching a good movie? Oh, I forgot to mention all the fruits, cakes and marshmallows you get to dip into warm melted chocolate. Next, it was time to worry about your career. In November, knowledgeable ladies from Engineering Career Resource Center, Robin Dall and Susan Hill, gave an informative presentation on career opportunities for graduate students. The talk was followed by an informal Question and Answer session, where M.S. and Ph.D. students asked all kinds of questions to ensure they are on the right track to success. We finished this semester with a relaxing and enjoyable End-of-Semester party because everybody needs a study break in December. Here, ladies had a chance to test their engineering skills by constructing gingerbread houses (We could have used more civil engineering members at the party). And no holiday party could be complete without a fun gift exchange.

Winter semester was just as busy for Grad-SWE. For members considering career in industry upon graduation The Woman's Perspective: Industry Network Dinner was the perfect event to attend. This was a great opportunity to learn about the climate of the industrial arena from a woman's perspective. Female representatives from various companies, such as GM, Pfizer and UM Cancer Center were available to describe their occupation as well as comment on the challenges faced and opportunities provided in industry to female employees. The informal discussion session following the introduction addressed such issues as balancing family and career, and climbing the corporate ladder. Later in the semester, women who find it challenging to speak up their opinions and ideas in a male dominant environment were aided by the Grad-SWE Assertiveness Workshop. It was taught by a professional speaker from Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Cynthia Chatel, Ph.D, and helped students to learn how to be assertive and to be comfortable with themselves. End-of-semester dinner in Cottage Inn with undergraduate SWE members and SWE alumni provided a great opportunity to socialize with many intelligent and very successful engineering women.

These are just some of the Grad-SWE events from this past year. If you would like to learn more about our society or sign-up to a mailing list, please feel free to contact either of the Directors of Grad-SWE: Irina Dolinskaya at dolira@umich.edu or Erin MacDonald at erinmacd@umich.edu. We’d also like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to the Women in Engineering Office for their help and financial assistance throughout many years.