This year, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Collegiate Leadership Institute (CLI) program with the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). This program helped me feel more confident in my leadership roles and connect with other collegiate SWE members.
CLI’s year-round professional development sessions with diverse speakers provided me with new insights about myself and important tips about communication styles, personal branding, and negotiation. I was prompted to reflect upon my own experiences as a leader and student. Each session left me with a greater understanding of myself and the ways I relate to others.
LB Adams’ discussion about reframing conversations with word choice particularly stood out to me. After this session, I found myself intentionally using positive words in my self-talk, which allowed me to keep an open mind and give myself space to grow. Since every CLI session included clear and actionable takeaways, I was able to directly implement new approaches and strategies in my leadership roles.
As a part of CLI’s Career Coaching program, I was paired with Tran Pham, an engineer at Keysight Labs. This mentorship helped me navigate different parts of the job application process, including resume reviews and interviews. We discussed salary negotiations, job benefits, and post-interview etiquette, which were important considerations for me as a graduating senior. I am grateful to have learned from Pham’s experience as an engineer.
The CLI experience gave me a unique opportunity to self-reflect and enrich my leadership skills while building new connections with other collegiate SWE members. I learned how to become a better listener, apply a learning mindset to my career, and advocate for myself professionally. I am looking forward to applying my refreshed perspective and improved skill set to my future career and leadership roles.
The Collegiate Leadership Institute (CLI) is a year-round program dedicated to identifying, supporting, and better preparing female collegiate engineering students to become the leaders of tomorrow in STEM. Check the CLI page for more information and to apply!
