Austin to Host More than 11,000 Women Engineers for Largest Conference & Career Fair for Women in STEM

CHICAGO, Oct. 03, 2017 -- More than 11,000 women engineers will flock to the Capitol City this fall for the Society of Women Engineers’ (SWE) WE17 conference and career fair. The event has a long-standing history of being the largest conference and career fair for women engineers, providing the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals, engage in professional development and connect with organizations and institutions looking for engineering job applicants at all career stages. WE17 will take place October 26-28, 2017 at the Austin Convention Center, engaging professional engineers, collegiates on the path to a career in engineering and technology, and K-12 students interested in STEM subjects.

The number of women in engineering has not increased since the early 2000’s. Without intervention strategies, the current demand for technical talent combined with the projected increase in the need for engineers will result in a significant shortage of skilled labor throughout the United States engineering industry. 

“Conferences like WE17 are a means to engage the current and potential engineering workforce, and provide the resources necessary to ensure they reach their fullest potential,” said Jonna Gerken, president of SWE. “Women in engineering across the globe rely on SWE for support – the kind they don’t receive in their professional careers working on teams dominated by male colleagues, or finding themselves one women amongst a classroom full of males. WE17 in Austin is an opportunity for women to not only receive the resources they need to advance in their professional careers, but a place to make connections so they can advance personally as well.”

WE17 will feature more than 300 educational sessions and 300 career fair exhibitors. At the conference, collegiates and professionals will have the chance to make connections and interview at the career fair with organizations seeking qualified and motivated engineers. In addition, collegiate attendees will have the opportunity to explore graduate school opportunities with leading universities. 

Young girls, parents and educators are also invited to attend WE17 on Saturday, Oct. 28, for Invent it. Build it. The program is aimed to encourage girls in grades 6-12 to pursue a career in engineering and technology by providing them with a unique, hands-on engineering experience. Nearly two out of three girls say that Invent it. Build it. has strengthened their confidence in engineering-related skills. 

The recipients of SWE’s prestigious annual awards program will be acknowledged at a formal awards banquet on Oct. 27, 2016. The awards program is an acknowledgement of movers and shakers within engineering and technology.

For more information about WE17 and to register, http://we17.swe.org/. For media inquiries and to request a complimentary media registration, contact Jennifer Jaacks at (630) 305-0003 x303, or [email protected].

For more information about the Society of Women Engineers, visit swe.org.

About SWE
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE), founded in 1950, is the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering and technology. The not-for-profit educational and service organization is the driving force that establishes engineering as a highly desirable career aspiration for women. To ensure SWE members reach their full potential as engineers and leaders, the Society offers unique opportunities to network, provides professional development, shapes public policy and provides recognition for the life-changing contributions and achievements of women engineers. As a champion of diversity, SWE empowers women to succeed and advance in their personal and professional lives. For more information about the Society, please visit www.swe.org or call 312.596.5223.

Media Contact: Jenny Jaacks, David James Group, (630) 305-0003 x303, [email protected]