Hofstra’s Women in Engineering Program at Walden!

On January 11, Walden Environmental Engineering (Walden) had the opportunity to host a meeting with several students enrolled in Hofstra University’s Women’s Summer Program in Computing/Engineering (W-SPiCE). W-SPiCE is a program that allows first-year female Hofstra students to learn about what it is like working in computer science and engineering, which are historically male-dominated fields. Over the course of the current winter leg of this program, the students spend four days visiting various firms throughout Long Island and New York City, where they get to speak with women who have successful careers in these areas.

Our speakers at Walden included some of our most experienced women engineers and scientists. The students got to hear from Erica Johnston, QEP, Project Manager; Jessica Bluth, P.G., Project Manager; Kristin Scroope, Project Manager; and Nora Brew, P.E., Vice President, Project Manager. Each speaker discussed topics such as their education, their career paths, potential graduate degrees to pursue, and the different kinds of project work performed by engineers, environmental scientists, and geologists. Students also had the opportunity to ask the Walden panelists questions, including how to find a mentor and build a professional network when you are just starting out in your career, how they faced and overcame challenges as a woman working in a male-dominated industry, and how to figure out what direction to take their career. The group also discussed tips for maintaining a good work-life balance and for continuing to pursue goals, even when it seems like you are not making any progress towards them.

The W-SPiCE students similarly spoke with Walden’s President and Founder, Joseph Heaney, who offered additional advice on starting a career in engineering. Heaney covered topics such as the pros and cons of working for larger versus smaller firms and strategies for finding internships. He also discussed the importance of remembering, as you are starting out in your career, that there will be many things you don’t know how to do—it takes time and effort to develop skills as an engineer, and it is important to ask questions, work with peers, and stay curious so that you can continue to learn.

At Walden, we strongly value sharing our knowledge and experience to help young engineers and scientists plan their futures. Hosting the W-SPiCE students for the morning was a wonderful opportunity to do this! Read more about some of Walden’s recent work mentoring students as they look ahead to their careers here and here. If you are interested in learning more about Walden or are a student seeking mentorship opportunities, please contact us at 516-701-1681.