As we continue to celebrate SWENext’s 10th anniversary this year, read on to learn how siblings Abigail and Madalyn Nguyen found community in the Society of Women Engineers, benefited from helpful SWENext resources, and became involved SWE members on their journeys pursuing different paths within STEM.
Abigail is a third-year student at UC San Diego pursuing a BS in clinical psychology with a minor in general biology. Madalyn is a senior at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) pursuing a BS in computer science with a minor in writing and rhetoric and an MS in computer science. She joined SWENext in 2015 during its inaugural year and now also serves as WPI SWE Section president. Both showed signs of interest in STEM fields early in their childhood and were encouraged by their mother to explore their interests.
Madalyn’s affinity for problem-solving and working with her hands led her to spend hours learning how to build and program a Lego Mindstorms kit she received at age 8. In middle school, her mother introduced her to a FIRST Lego League informational meeting, and that marked the beginning of her seven-year foray with five FIRST Robotics teams.
Abigail’s fascination with psychology was sparked during the COVID-19 pandemic, when watching the show Criminal Minds ignited her curiosity about human behavior and the science behind understanding people. This led to her taking AP Psychology in high school to gain a deeper, real-world perspective on the subject. From there, she was committed to continuing to learn about the mind and how science can be used to improve lives.
The SWENext Connection
Madalyn’s introduction to SWE began in middle school when her mother sensed her interest in robotics. “My mom took me to various SWE San Diego open houses and events to connect with female engineers and have role models that I can look up to for advice and mentorship. My first internship stemmed from a connection I made at a SWE San Diego open house,” she says.
In high school, Madalyn started a SWENext Club so girls on the robotics team and in engineering classes had a support system. “It became a sisterhood where girls at my school could learn about engineering and find others with shared interests. Many of the connections I made from SWENext turned into lifelong friendships.”
At college, Madalyn joined WPI’s SWE Section and served in various leadership roles. “It’s been an impactful experience that allows me to connect with the women on campus and advocate for diversity in STEM. Now as president, I serve to increase SWE’s impact on campus and foster a vibrant and diverse community that celebrates women in STEM.” Madalyn is a 2024 SWE Rising Collegiate Star Award recipient and a 2025 Outstanding Collegiate Member Award recipient.
“My mom took me to various SWE San Diego open houses and events to connect with female engineers and have role models that I can look up to for advice and mentorship. My first internship stemmed from a connection I made at a SWE San Diego open house,” says Madalyn Nguyen.
For Abigail, what started as something to do during the pandemic with Madalyn, led her to SWE and SWENext. “Madalyn invited me to join her on the Northrop Grumman Community Award project focused on cybersecurity, and I was excited to learn and help,” she says. “SWENext gave me the chance to explore different STEM pathways, and being recognized for the award alongside my sister was a meaningful moment that became a highlight for my college applications.”
Parental Influences
Both sisters share about their mother’s integral role in encouraging their STEM interests. Tracy Nguyen is a Doctor of Optometry and the San Diego SWE Section president. Dr. Nguyen received a SWE Spark Award in 2023 and was featured in this Winter 2024 article in SWE Magazine. She received SWE’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Program (Individual) recognition in 2024 and 2025. Check out the Diverse podcast episode featuring her as well, which won an honorable mention at the 2024 FOLIO publishing industry awards.
“My parents always found ways to introduce me to new activities and interests. Being a doctor, mom went online to find ways to connect with engineers and found SWENext. At the time, SWENext was relatively new and there weren’t many clubs established yet,” says Madalyn.
Madalyn and Dr. Nguyen joined SWE around the same time, so her mother was her first SWE section advisor. She says they’ve grown together as SWE members on this transformative journey, discussing challenges, perspectives, and ideas across their organizations as they both serve as section presidents.
“Over the years, my mother provided me with many opportunities to thrive and introduced me to connections that could advise me. She is the definition of not having to be an expert to support and uplift your kids,” says Madalyn Nguyen.
“Over the years, my mother provided me with many opportunities to thrive and introduced me to connections that could advise me. She is the definition of not having to be an expert to support and uplift your kids,” says Madalyn. “I credit her with all my success up to now because if it weren’t for her constantly cheering me on and giving me the confidence to go beyond, I would not have been able to accomplish my goals. Even while 3,000 miles away, she continues to connect me with people and opportunities and is someone I can talk to about challenges and successes.”
Abigail’s interests eventually leaned toward health care, so her mother informed her STEM pursuits, leading to her aspiring to become a nurse practitioner.
“My mom has been such a big support in my SWE journey. She’s exposed me to different STEM paths but always let me decide my own,” she says. “I’ve loved being able to explore my curiosity without being pushed in any one direction. My sister Madalyn went into engineering and technology, while I’ve found my own interests in science and health care; we both had the freedom to follow what excites us. I’ve loved having my mom to talk to, and having so many discussions with her about my STEM path has helped me tremendously.”
SWE Resources
SWE has provided crucial connections, lifelong friendships, uplifting mentors, and support systems that gave Madalyn the confidence to approach challenges head-on. “Being a woman in STEM isn’t easy. I’ve battled imposter syndrome, peers underestimating me, and having to advocate for myself,” she says. “Now I’m often one of a few women in my graduate classes, where I work with peers who are often many years older than me. It’s daunting at times, but I have a strong support system at WPI that I can rely on.”
For those in high school or college, she shares that SWE provides a variety of scholarships that support different majors, experiences, and backgrounds. SWE has a mentorship network that connects members with various professionals and experts, and Madalyn benefited most from attending SWE events such as WE Local, SWE Annual Conference, open houses, and virtual events.
SWE has enriched Abigail’s STEM journey by giving her a space to explore her curiosity, especially at an early age when she was still undecided about which path to take. She found it beneficial to have opportunities to try out different projects, connect with mentors, and see all the possibilities within STEM. Being part of SWE made it easier to discover her interests and gave her the confidence to pursue the areas that excited her the most.
“Explore as much as you can and follow what excites you. It’s okay to be undecided at first — STEM has so many paths, and the best way to figure out what you enjoy is to try different experiences, join programs like SWE and SWENext, and talk to mentors,” says Abigail Nguyen.
“One challenge I’ve faced in pursuing my interests in science and health care is figuring out exactly what path I wanted to follow. With so many options in STEM, it was easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of where I fit,” she says. She addressed this by exploring different experiences, like joining SWE and SWENext projects, learning from mentors, and taking classes that exposed her to different areas of STEM. “These opportunities helped me discover what I’m truly passionate about and gave me the confidence to focus on the path that feels right for me.”
She recommends getting involved with SWE and SWENext early, even if you’re still figuring out your interests. Being active in your local section, meeting engineering professionals to learn about STEM careers, participating in mentorships, projects, and events, and receiving recognition awards through SWE are all excellent ways to explore different areas. These opportunities can also be helpful for college applications.
Looking Ahead
“If you are contemplating a STEM career, talk to a professional! I cannot stress this enough,” says Madalyn, whose dream is to apply her skills in a way that makes a meaningful impact. Earlier this year, she spent two months with a team in Bangkok, Thailand, where they developed eye-tracking software to improve digital accessibility for students with physical disabilities.
“If you’re curious about a career path, industry, or just more about a profession, reach out to a professional using SWE’s resources and talk to them. Hearing firsthand experience is the best way to learn if STEM is something you want to pursue,” she says. As for parents supporting their children pursuing STEM, she says, “You do not have to be an expert or have a career in the field your child wants to pursue to support them. There are so many resources online to make connections with industry professionals who can be mentors and provide guidance.”
Abigail agrees. “My advice for parents supporting their children in STEM is to provide them with opportunities to explore a wide range of interests without pushing them toward a specific path. Encourage curiosity, let them try different areas, and listen to what excites them. Having a mentor or role model, like I’ve had with my mom, can be helpful for guidance and support. Even if your child is interested in a field that isn’t mainstream or widely popular, your encouragement and support can make a huge difference in helping them build confidence and find their own path in STEM.”
For students contemplating a STEM career, she says, “Explore as much as you can and follow what excites you. It’s okay to be undecided at first — STEM has so many paths, and the best way to figure out what you enjoy is to try different experiences, join programs like SWE and SWENext, and talk to mentors. SWENext is a wonderful community where you can follow your curiosity, discover your own pathway, and be celebrated for your efforts. Having a mentor like my mom is crucial because they can guide you, offer support, and help you make decisions along the way. Stay curious, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to carve your own path.”
