I got the opportunity to go to the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) conference in Chicago last week. For those unfamiliar, SWE is a fantastic organization dedicated to helping women thrive in engineering careers. The conference is always a highlight, packed with inspiring talks, networking opportunities, and the chance to connect with fellow engineers.
Arrival in the Windy City: A Rocky Start
I flew into Chicago on a Tuesday afternoon, excited for what lay ahead. However, the flight quickly turned into an unexpected ordeal. The turbulence was so severe that in-flight service had to be suspended, and everyone in my row, including myself, ended up throwing up. This was a first for me—normally, I enjoy turbulence as it feels like a roller coaster ride, but this time, it was anything but fun.
After a bumpy landing, I took an Uber to the city and met up with a coworker who lives in Chicago for lunch. Later, we checked into our hotel and headed out for dinner with other colleagues. Despite the rough beginning, the evening set a positive tone for the days ahead.
Wednesday: Company-Focused Professional Development
The day after arrival was dedicated solely to my company’s professional development sessions—a tradition every year just before the main conference kicks off. The day was packed with insightful presentations, and afterward, we had a product fair showcasing products from different teams within our company. It was so engaging to see the diverse range of products and the engineering behind them.
The evening featured a dine-around event where a senior leader took a group of about ten women out for networking dinner. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect and share experiences. After the dine-around, I spent some time in the hotel bar lobby with our senior leader and my best friend, who was also attending with her company. We enjoyed a few drinks together, engaging in meaningful conversations about sustainability and corporate responsibility. It was heartening to discuss ways we can contribute to a better environment. We stayed up way too late talking and I stayed up even later working on my talk track for the tech talk the next day.
Thursday: SWE Conference Begins
Thursday marked the official start of the SWE conference. I was up way too early, nervous about my talk later in the day. After grabbing a coffee, I headed to the convention center for a few sessions. Lunch with a coworker was great before preparing more for my tech talk scheduled for the afternoon (funny: we accidentally swapped company cards and I didn’t notice until the next day). We had to walk like 6 blocks to find somewhere to eat, the conference offerings were… bleak. There were over 20,000 people at the conference and two food stations open.
Giving the tech talk was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. The room was standing room only and there were some really good questions. I was a bit anxious because the setup was different than what was expected—there was no podium, and I couldn’t rely on notes if I forgot my talk track. Despite the initial jitters, the presentation went smoothly, and the positive feedback was incredibly rewarding. After my talk, I chatted with several college students who posed thoughtful questions, highlighting the impact of the session.
The evening concluded with a dinner at a fancy restaurant with some new faces. Although vegetarian options were limited, they did have macaroni and cheese, which turned out to be delicious – perfectly crispy breadcrumbs on top.
Friday
Friday began with another round of coffee and interviewing candidates for a couple intern positions I have under me for next summer. For lunch, a few coworkers and I ventured to Chinatown for some Thai food. While the meal was mediocre, we made up for it by stopping at a nearby bakery, which was absolutely delicious. I even picked up an extra almond cheese danish for breakfast the next morning.
After attending more sessions in the afternoon, I returned to the hotel to drop off my stuff before heading out for dinner with additional coworkers. We enjoyed the cool weather by sitting outside until it became too chilly, then we headed indoors for our meal. It was a pleasant end to a day filled with learning and networking.
Saturday
On Saturday morning, I got to sleep in as there was now where I had to be until the sessions started around 10am. I ran into a coworker who I didn’t know very well and we grabbed some coffee and chatted. It was really great to talk to her and we even had some deeper, more meaningful conversations before the sessions started.
I attended my favorite session, which creatively compared self-defense moves to technical leadership. This clever and informative topic resonated deeply with me, offering unique insights into leadership dynamics and she also taught us some self defense moves.
After a final lunch and a brief catch-up with a coworker, it was time to head to the airport. The flight home was thankfully uneventful, a stark contrast to my initial journey. To ensure a smooth trip, I took some Dramamine, just in case. I got home just in time to say goodnight to the kiddos.
Reflecting on the Conference
My trip to Chicago for the SWE conference was a blend of professional growth, meaningful connections, and unexpected adventures. From overcoming a turbulent flight to delivering a successful tech talk, it was a wonderful experience. While the conference was not specifically geared around building technical skills, it did reinforce the importance of making new connections, networking, and taking interest in my personal growth.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to attend and look forward to next year’s conference with even more excitement – it’s in New Orleans! I’ll be reminding my manager weekly until then to make sure I get approval to travel 🙂