FAQ
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF JOINING SWE?
SWE is a community of welcoming peers who want to support women in science and have lots of fun along the way. The benefits of SWE range from the friends found within our organization to access to scholarships to skills seminars and networking opportunities.
WHO CAN COME TO SWE EVENTS?
Anyone and everyone is welcome at SWE events! You do not need to be a woman or an engineer to attend any of our events, including our general meetings.
WHERE CAN I FIND OUT ABOUT SWE EVENTS?
Sign up to be on the SWEekly emails to stay updated with events throughout the year! Also check out these links to our Google Calendar and Instagram for more information too.
WHAT TYPE OF EVENTS DOES SWE HOLD?
We host events from resume readings to mentorship get-togethers to make-your-own ice cream nights! As a professional organization, many of our events aim to support our members and help them kick-start their careers. We also work to create a community for all SWEople through events that build the bond between gophers!
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN ACTIVE MEMBER? WHAT ARE STARS?
An active member has earned 10 stars for the semester. Stars are earned by attending our events or volunteering. Active members do NOT have to be paid members, and are invited to attend an active member dinner at the end of each semester that is complete with tasty cuisine, games, prizes and lots of friends.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ACTIVE AND A PAID MEMBER?
Being an active member is a recognition within the UMN section, and a paid member gains access to resources at the national level. You do not need to be a paid member to be an active member, or to attend any events in the UMN section.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BECOMING A PAID MEMBER?
Benefits of being a paid member include:
● Provides an automatic network of colleagues with similar experiences, challenges, and goals.
● Access to SWE specific career information and opportunities.
● Access to scholarships for women pursuing STEM degrees.
● Provides access to SWE mentorship opportunities.
HOW DO I BECOME A PAID MEMBER?
Paid members have paid a fee to SWE at the national level. The payment varies based on the membership, but the most popular membership is the $50 C2C (collegiate to career) membership. This option will cover all years of continuous education from undergrad through any graduate level studies. Follow this link!
WHAT IS THE DOC?
Each spring, directors and committee member applications are open to apply to for the upcoming school year. If interested in learning more about our committees, go to our committees tab on the website. Officer nominations come out early March, and elections occur in late March/early April. If you are new to SWE, our Rotational Committee Member Program allows students to rotate through two committees in the spring semester, and applications for this program come out late fall. To stay updated, please subscribe to the SWEekly.
HOW DO I JOIN DOC?
Each fall, we hold an event for members who are interested in joining our leadership team. We do have positions available for freshmen specifically, but no matter your year, we encourage you to learn more and apply!
WHAT KIND OF COMMITMENT LEVELS ARE THERE IN SWE?
SWE members can choose to attend 1 event per semester or 20! Members who are interested in becoming more involved might consider joining our leadership team. Directors and committee members within our leadership team spend more time on SWE than general members and attend some mandatory events throughout the year. Overall, your level of involvement is entirely up to you.
WHAT IS THE LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE WITHIN THE DOC?
