My SWE Experience
“SWE doesn’t just connect me to people. It has built meaningful relationships that encouraged my growth and accountability. Being part of this community has inspired me to dream bigger and stay committed to my professional and personal development.”
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How did you get involved with SWE?
I first got involved with SWE as a student member. During that time I discovered how valuable the resources and support were, from the learning platform to virtual interviews, mentorship credits, and career prep tools. These helped me build confidence and direction in my STEM journey. After experiencing firsthand how SWE impacted my growth, I was inspired to give back. That led me to become a Global Ambassador, and I wanted other students, especially women in STEM, to benefit just as I did. Being part of SWE has opened up mentorship opportunities, connections with other SWE professionals in different industries across disciplines, and helped me secure a graduate job in a multinational company. My journey with SWE began as a beneficiary and has grown into a platform where I now serve and inspire others.
Ifeyinwa Jessica Igwebuike
Job Title & Company: Future Leader Graduate, Heineken
Location: Manchester, United Kingdom
Nationality: Nigerian
Academic Background: Food Science and Technology; Food, Microbiology and Biotechnology; Data Science
Years in SWE: Since October 2023 (joined as Student Member)
“SWE helps you grow into the kind of professional who doesn’t just succeed, but also leads and uplifts others in the field.”
What makes SWE so valuable for you?
SWE stands out because it’s more than a professional society. For me, it’s a support system and a growth engine. What makes it truly valuable to me is the combination of mentorship, leadership, development, and access to a community that genuinely uplifts women in STEM. SWE doesn’t only cater to engineers. It spans all STEM fields.
I found value in their learning models on leadership and career development and in how inclusive and empowering the entire ecosystem is. SWE also gave me a structured path to evolve through resume reviews, interview prep, and building soft and technical skills.
What type of people does SWE connect you with?
SWE connects me with a vibrant and diverse network of STEM professionals and students across the globe. It brings together early career professionals, seasoned experts, allies, and leaders who are passionate about driving equity in STEM. Through the SWE platform, I have met mentors in different countries who guided my career direction. I’m based in the UK, but I’ve connected with people in the US, across Europe and in Africa. It has been really helpful to connect with mentors and role models who have achieved incredible things, and also with peers who share similar challenges.
SWE doesn’t just connect me to people. It has built meaningful relationships that encouraged my growth and accountability. Being part of this community has inspired me to dream bigger and stay committed to my professional and personal development.
“I appreciate that SWE’s platform is versatile, supporting students, early career professionals and senior leaders.”
What were the things in the SWE learning platform that you have found the most useful?
The SWE learning platform has been an incredible resource for me. The most useful tools were the career preparation modules, especially for virtual interviews, resume writing and personal branding. I also took advantage of leadership development courses in the SWE learning platform, and they helped me build my confidence for public speaking. I am currently working multi-nationally as a future leader. It has given me the opportunity to be able to speak to upcoming graduates, speak in meetings and give presentations. I also have the confidence to be a mentor where I work and at my school as an alumni. SWE’s mentorship opportunities have allowed me to schedule time with experienced professionals that are within my scope of career development, and their advice was crucial as I applied for jobs. I appreciate that SWE’s platform is versatile, supporting students, early career professionals and senior leaders. It’s well structured and inclusive for each branch of STEM.
Are you part of a local affiliate?
My local affiliate is in Manchester. My local SWE affiliate complements SWE’s global benefits by creating in-person and virtual events tailored to our unique needs. This includes networking events, speaker series, skill building workshops and mentoring sessions. We also collaborate with local universities and companies to organize outreach activities.
The sense of community within my affiliate is so special. It’s encouraging to meet others who are navigating similar journeys. These local events create room for informal mentorship and practical exposure while reinforcing SWE’s mission on a grassroots level. They also make global resources feel even more accessible and personal. In our last Global Ambassador meeting, we pinpointed what we would like to use to develop our affiliate, which includes featuring banners during career fairs so people can learn about SWE. We also want to have drop-in sessions for students and utilize testimonials so that other people can see how I have benefited from SWE and where it has assisted me in my career development.
What would you say to a university student in a STEM field wondering if SWE would be valuable to them?
SWE is one of the best communities that STEM students can join. As a student myself, I gained access to mentorship, confidence, building workshops and a safe space to ask questions and grow. It’s not limited to engineering like I earlier mentioned. It covers all of STEM, which is important for inclusivity. SWE also connects students to internships, job openings, and volunteer opportunities. By becoming active, you are setting yourself up for success and making lifelong connections as a SWE student member. If you are a student wondering whether to join, I would say go for it. You won’t just find support. You’ll find purpose and belonging.
Want to hear from more SWE members?
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