DallaSWE

The Newsletter of the Society of Women Engineers

Dallas Section

November 2004

 

 

CONTENTS:

November 16 Meeting Notice

LeEarls Corner  -

2005 New Faces of Engineering - Jennifer Ray EWEEK Runner-up

Career Night Success – congratulations Eric Stromberg, et al

Job Looking

SWE Region 5 – Nominations Needed

Member News

Upcoming Events - Calendar

Dallas Objectives & Web Link

November 16  Section Meeting

 

SPEAKER:     Davinia Chism – Raytheon Systems Engineer

TOPIC:           Engineering New Heights as a Sky Diver          

DATE:            Tuesday, November 16

TIME:            6:15 PM, start networking

LOCATION:  Nedley’s Restaurant – Board Room

1801 North Plano Rd (west side between Campbell and Collins Blvd)

                        www.nedleys.com

GUESTS:       Always welcome, no extra charge, order from menu

CONTACT:    LeEarl Bryant;  LeEarl@genealogy4fun.com; 972-699-1649

 

Abstract:

 

Come enjoy an evening learning how engineering has played a dramatic role in the sport of skydiving.  From advances in parachute designs to electronic safety equipment to airfoils designed to perfect the body in flight, engineering has changed skydiving and made it a widely enjoyed  - and safe sport.  The latest skydiving equipment will be on display and videos highlighting the advances will be shown.

 

Speaker Profile

 

Davinia Chism has a BS in Mathematics with a Minor in Computer Science, MBA in Engineering Management, and MS in Systems Engineering.  She has 12 years experience as a systems engineer in the defense industry.

Davinia is currently employed as a Principal Systems Engineer at Raytheon in McKinney, where she is also a member of the Raytheon’s Women’s Leadership Network.  Besides volunteering to serve as the Dallas representative to SWE’s Council of Representative, she is also serving as the Dallas Section and Region C Membership chairs.

Davinia has been skydiving since 1997 and holds an advanced skydiving license, instructor rating and jumpmaster rating.  She is also a Skydive University Coach and a member of the team that set Texas State Record last year.  She has over 700 jumps and has jumped out of every kind of aircraft imaginable - from small single engine propeller aircraft to large jets, hot air balloons to helicopters.  She is also a licensed Private Pilot.

 

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LeEarl’s Corner

 

2005 New Face of Engineering

 

Dallas SWE’s own Jennifer Ray has been selected as one of SWE’s runner up candidates for the 2005 Engineers Week New Faces of Engineering.  Information on her career has been passed onto the National Engineers’ Week (EWEEK) committee for consideration as one of the featured engineers in USA Today during EWEEK 2005.  Congratulations Jennifer and keep up the good work.

 

Engineering Career Night Report

 

Eric Stromberg carried off another successful year as chair of our annual Engineering Career Night for pre-college students, parents, educators, and counselors.  Following a year of malaise in 2002/3, Eric has now chaired this event for the second time and is considering holding a similar event in spring 2005.  A south Dallas event will give us an opportunity to reach-out to students who are greatly under-served in areas of career guidance.

 

Eric’s initial analysis indicates that we probably doubled last year’s attendance with over 20 students, 23 parents and educators, and 22 volunteers.  SWE Dallas extends special thanks to our host Latika  Cheatham and Newman Smith High School and to TDIndustries for refreshments.  An additional surprise was received when Jean Cathcart provided souvenirs to participants from her new employer, Rockwell International.  Universities who supplied representatives and literature included DeVry, SMU, UNT, UT Arlington, and New Mexico State University.

 

In addition, there is no adequate way to express appreciation for the speakers and additional volunteers who provided the human power for making this activity run smoothly, while also mentoring those who were there.  I t was especially rewarding, to have those who often have conflicts on our 3rd Tuesday meeting nights.  By the way, volunteers included Carol Bachman and speaker Candy Robinson of the Fort Worth Section.  Your participation shows real dedication.

 

The positive influence of this event was re-enforced when one of the parents sent a thank you email to Eric.  It turns out that her daughter attended the event last year and is now an engineering student at Rose Hullman in Indiana.  This year her son was investigating possibilities of an engineering career.

 

As you might imagine, we will continue to improve this activity and welcome all who are able to participate in the future.

 

 

 

 

Many EE UTA Grads Still Job Looking

 

We  had at least 3 recent and talented EE grads at our October meeting who are still job looking.   One has asked for help via our newsletter:

Hi my name is Katrina Croom and I am seeking experience and employment in the DFW area. I have excellent communication skills and an eagerness to learn. I am a hard worker and strive to succeed in everything that I do.    My resume available at
http://resumes.hotjobs.com/katrinacroom/electricalengineer
katrina_croom@hotmail.com

 

SWE Region 5 – Nominations Needed

 

Claire M Shortall, our regions nomination chair, is seeking names of people who are interested in becoming more involved in SWE at the region level.  You need to let her know via email at c.shortall@worldnet.att.net.  (By the way, our section needs help as well and we’re a great place to learn and practice your leadership skills.  Just let me know at LeEarl@genealogy4fun.com if you’re available and interested.)

 

Claire reports that the available officer positions during the present transition period are Region Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Region Treasurer, and Region Secretary. The Region Governor will serve a two-year term beginning 7/1/05. The other officers will likely serve one-year terms, though that may change depending on the region bylaw revisions.

 

The current region committee positions include: Bylaws, Communications (Webmaster), Membership, Nominating, Professional Development, Section Vitality, Student Coordinator, and Student Section Vitality. Most region committee chairs or co-chairs coordinate region efforts as part of a Society committee.

 

Member News

 

Retirement

 

We have learned that a long time volunteer and pioneer role model for women in engineering has retired and moved out of our area.  Ida Gutierra reports that she’s moved to the East Texas boonies near Lake Bob Sandlin in Titus County.  Ida went back to school and earned her ME from Univ of Texas at El Paso when in her 30s.  As far as I know, she was the first Hispanic engineer employed by Rockwell International and very active with fund raising and career guidance activities when she joined SWE.  She is the mother of two daughters and a grandmother as well.

 

Condolences

 

The more astute readers may have notice that this newsletter has regressed to its rough form of 2003/04.  This is because our new newsletter Roslyn Taylor has been faced with the recent illness and death of her mother, Ruth Solander.  So, Roslyn will be on SWE leave while taking care of family obligations.  Roslyn, take your time and know that SWE members and friends wish you and your family the best during this time of loss.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR

Meetings begin abt 6:15 on the 3rd Tuesday of each month September 2004 through June 2005, except December. Highlights are below.  Visit our web-site http://www.dallaswe.org for latest information.

DECEMBER 2004

Holiday Break

 

JANUARY 18, 2005 – Section Meeting

SPEAKER: TBD Dallas area woman engineering manager 

TOPIC:   Climbing the Engineering Ladder

 

February  15 - Section Meeting

SPEAKER:     Dallas Area Engineers

TOPIC:           ZOOM! Into Engineering for Engineers’ WEEK 2005

 

Feb 20 - 27  National Engineers Week Observance

 

March 15: Section Meeting

SPEAKER:      Sandra Robinson, data architect/Database Administrator, Lockheed

TOPIC:            Strategic Planning for Professionals     

 

Saturday March tbd – Girl Scout Badge Event

Chair/contact - - Jaime Hunter; jaime.hunter@swe.org

 

April 19 Section Meeting

SPEAKER:   TBD

TOPIC:               Leading by Example

DATE:               April 19

 

Region C Conference - April 1-3

LOCATION:    Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge

 

April TBD Certificate of Merit Program – Nicky Butler, Chair

 

SWE Cares

Recognizing that going through career transition is normal, SWE helps its members by offering a dues discount to members who experience a period of unemployment. We want to help you find not just any job, but the right job that meets your career expectations.

www.swe.org/careers:  You know what to do and you know how to do it! Visit the SWE career center where job opportunities meet SWE member resumes.  Join the SWE resume database where hundreds of recruiters identify new candidates all the time.

OBJECTIVES OF THE SOCIETY OF WOMEN ENGINEERS

     To inform young women, their parents, counselors, and the public in general of the qualifications and achievements of women engineers and of the opportunities open to them.

     To assist women engineers in readying themselves for a return to active work after temporary retirements.

     To serve as a center of information on women in engineering.

     To encourage women engineers to attain high levels of educational and professional achievement.

CHECK US OUT!      www.dallaswe.org

If you need to update your contact information, please feel free to use the submission form on the web. There is also a survey page. Please take the opportunity to let us know your opinions. We would greatly appreciate your input.