The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is hosting a virtual career fair for engineering professionals with at least three years of professional experience in the engineering and technology fields on Wednesday, May 7! Candidates and employers can find out more details and register here.
In the written and video interviews below, SWE Member Sunita Ramnarinesingh shares about her past experience at the SWE Virtual Career Fair for Professionals and provides important tips for success.
Welcome, Sunita! Can you introduce yourself and share a bit about your professional background?
I am an electrical engineer with both a master’s degree and bachelor’s degree from Florida Tech. I have diverse work experience in software testing, project management, web development and systems engineering.
I’m currently employed in the space industry as a systems integration and test engineer for the Orion Spacecraft Assembly Test & Launch Operations (ATLO). I coordinate the European Service Module (ESM) activities, and I also volunteer with my local Space Coast SWE Section.
Sunita Ramnarinesingh reflects on her experience at the SWE Virtual Career Fair
What inspired you to participate in SWE’s Virtual Career Fair for Professionals?
I was interested in the convenience and accessibility of the virtual career fair format. The virtual format eliminated the need to travel, which allowed me to participate from the comfort of my own home. This is especially convenient since I live in a smaller city with limited access to in-person career fairs. I was able to customize my participation to fit my schedule, focusing on the companies and presentations that are most relevant to my interests.
I also saw the event as a learning and growth opportunity. By attending various company presentations and workshops, I was able to learn about the latest advancements and trends in my engineering field. This will help me stay ahead of the curve and make informed career decisions.
The virtual career fair was also an opportunity to practice my networking and interviewing skills. Even if you’re not actively seeking a new position, participating in the fair can be a great way to improve these skills in a low-pressure environment.
Did you have any doubts or hesitations around the virtual format of the event?
Going into the event, I was a little concerned about technical difficulties, such as internet connectivity or platform glitches that could interrupt my interaction with potential employers. I also had concerns about navigating the virtual platform since I was unfamiliar with it.
By acknowledging these concerns and taking steps to prepare, I mitigated these anxieties and maximized my experience at the virtual career fair. Fortunately, none of these issues came up during the event, and everything ran smoothly.
What benefits did you receive from participating in SWE’s Virtual Career Fair for Professionals?
During the virtual career fair, I learned about a few companies and roles I had never considered before. I also made some valuable new connections.
What strategies would you recommend to other engineers who want to make the most of their virtual career fair experience?
I recommend that engineers prepare for the virtual career fair by researching participating companies in advance. Focus on the organizations that are aligned with your skills, interests and values. Find out about their work culture, engineering teams and recent projects so you can demonstrate genuine interest and ask insightful questions.
Before the event, summarize your skills, experience and career aspirations into an elevator pitch that you can share in a confident and engaging way. Practice your delivery of this elevator speech beforehand to ensure it flows smoothly. Also, make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date with your latest projects, awards and contributions before the virtual career fair begins.
Familiarize yourself with the virtual platform, including the video chat features, chat functionalities and booth functionalities to avoid any technical difficulties.
After the virtual career fair, you can connect with recruiters and other engineers you met on LinkedIn to maintain communication and explore potential opportunities. You can send personalized follow-up messages or emails thanking them for their time and expressing your continued interest in the company or opportunity.
Lastly, be sure to practice self-care by scheduling breaks during the event. This will help you avoid burnout and maintain your enthusiasm throughout the virtual career fair.
What would you say to anyone who feels hesitant about participating in a virtual career fair?
Embrace the opportunity! Virtual career fairs offer a unique chance to connect with a diverse range of companies and professionals from the comfort of your own home. Stay positive, be proactive and leverage this experience to advance your engineering career.
If you have 3+ years of professional experience in the engineering and technology fields post-undergraduate degree and are looking for your next role, or if you are a company looking to fill professional-level engineering and technology positions, we invite you to join us at the SWE Virtual Career Fair for Professionals taking place May 7!
In addition to the Virtual Career Fair for Professionals, SWE has a variety of resources to help women engineers succeed in their careers:
- Advance Learning Center ― Explore our offering of more than 200 online courses to build a new skill or hone an existing one, many offering CEUs/PDHs. You’re sure to find one that fits your needs and your busy schedule. New courses are constantly being developed based on identified learning needs.
- Reentry Programs ― Looking to return to the engineering field after a career break? The STEM Reentry Task Force features a list of nearly 30 companies offering reentry programs.
- eXXec ― SWE’s executive leadership program, a prestigious three-day event for mid- to senior-level professionals, was created to empower engineers to effect greater change within their organizations.
- SWE Mentor Network ― Tap into this exclusive members-only community for mentoring services from members from across the globe in your area of engineering.
- Career Center ― SWE’s premier online recruitment resource for leading companies in the engineering and technology field committed to advancing women in STEM, with 10,000+ job postings from more than 650 employers, including the world’s largest engineering and technology firms.
