A World of Opportunity Awaits

I love the theme of this year’s conference because it not only describes the event perfectly, but I think it also perfectly describes SWE as an organization. Wherever you are in your career or geography, A World of Opportunity Awaits at SWE.

The first of those opportunities is an amazing slate of keynote speakers. We start on Thursday morning with Phyllis Schneck, Ph.D., from Northrop Grumman. She will share her journey and detail how she became a top leader in cybersecurity and why cybersecurity is important in every industry. On Friday, we’ll hear from John Deere’s Nancy Post. She will relay the powerful promise of your brain elasticity in creating new habits, higher performance, and greater joy — using her own story as an example, reflecting on her path from being the youngest of 15 kids to leading a global team of more than 1,600.

On Saturday afternoon, HarperCollins Leadership author Michele Sullivan will close the conference on an inspiring note. She is unforgettable — from a young person born with a rare type of dwarfism, who, in spite of being looked down upon by others, learned to look up, to lead with an elevated view of others, a philosophy that landed her at the helm of one of the world’s most prominent philanthropy organizations. Michele offers a unique perspective and inspiration for individuals that attests to the fundamental role one’s perspective plays in life. And all the keynotes will be livestreamed. We will take questions via the WE22 app, so wherever you are in the world, you can participate in the conversation!

Speaking of conversations, there will be many opportunities for networking. Use the WE22 app schedule to search by “Affinity Group” to find more than 40 sessions planned by SWE AGs. This year, SWE will have three Affinity Group Lounges by each AG type (business and interests; career stages; and diversity, equity, and inclusion) for WE22 attendees to network, learn, build community, and grow. There will also be a Rainbow Lounge to offer a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals. And you will not want to miss the WE22 Closing Celebration beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. The highlight will be a special segment, Engineers Make (and Sometimes Bake) The Impossible, featuring contestants from Netflix’s “Baking Impossible.” You won’t want to miss it!

And finally, a world of career opportunities await! A sold-out career fair features hundreds of employers for a diverse range of industries looking for interns, recent grads, and experienced hires. Make sure to upload your resume to SWE’s online Career Center and check the box for WE22. Even if you are not attending in person, employers will be using the Career Center to source candidates and schedule interviews. Moreover, the hospitality suites on Thursday evening provide a great opportunity to meet prospective employers in a more casual setting.

To make the most of your time during the conference, be sure to download the WE22 app to build your schedule, receive reminders and updates, connect with peers, and locate events quickly.

During WE22, whether you are attending in person or virtually, I encourage everyone to make the most of the World of Opportunity That Awaits. Attend as many of the hundreds of workshops, keynotes, and panels as possible to broaden your knowledge on topics of interest (and remember, all registrants have access to the virtual platform for 90 days post-conference); consider volunteering for a SWE committee or other leadership role; learn more about SWE’s many DEI, business and interests, and career stages AGs; and network to grow your SWE community. I wish everyone an enjoyable WE22. We are glad you are here!