1. SOCIETY OF WOMEN ENGINEERS (SWE)
HOUSTON AREA SECTION
Carla Fair-Wright, MCP, CSQE
Vice President External Affairs for Society of Women Engineers
Energy Collaborative Workforce Meeting - July 22, 2008

2. A Brief History - Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
SWE Houston — Who We Are
Why SWE Works
SOCIETY OF WOMEN ENGINEERS (SWE)
HOUSTON SECTION

3. Core beliefs, values, and purpose of the organization
SWE – CORE BELIEFS
Integrity
We aspire to the highest level of ethical behavior as evidenced by honesty and dignity in our
personal and professional relationships and responsibilities.
Respect
We acknowledge gender, ethnic, cultural and other differences, and strive to respect the
added values they bring.
Mutual Support
We provide an organization that fosters mentoring, and the development of professional and
personal networks.
Professional Excellence
We conduct our activities in a professional manner, demonstrating and demanding the
highest standards of business practices.
Core beliefs, values and purpose of the organization

4. Current goals as an organization
SWE - GOALS
SWE will
Provide opportunities for women to attain, enhance, and demonstrate
leadership, and professional and technical excellence that results in career
aspiration, advancement, achievement, and satisfaction.
Embrace and promote the value and power of diversity in specialties, age,
race, ethnicity, language, gender identity, sexual orientation, and interests.
Share its acquired knowledge and promote programs that bridge
the gaps in recruitment, professional development, and retention of
women in engineering
Inspire girls and women from diverse backgrounds and life stages to aspire to
engineering for meaningful and rewarding careers.
Current goals as an organization

5. SWE Region C - Texas Where we are
SWE – REGION C ( 4 STATES )

6. SWE Houston Section
SWE – WHO WE ARE
Who we are
• We have over 300 members
• Representing over 83 different companies

7. Women Engineers by Industry
SWE – WHERE WE ARE
Industry %Male %Female Male Female Total
Aerospace 90.9% 9.1% 167,055 16,653 183,708
Process 85.6% 14.4% 92,769 15,583 108,352
Commercial 89.9% 10.1% 408,397 46,098 454,495
Environment
al 77.8% 22.2% 44,943 12,816 57,760
IT 83.7% 16.3% 2,012,543 392,663 2,405,206
Maritime 94.9% 5.1% 14,737 791 15,528
Nuclear 91.6% 8.4% 13,284 1,222 14,506
Process 93.7% 6.3% 35,376 2,372 37,748
2,789,103 488,199 3,277,302

8. Employed Engineers by Gender Scholarships
SWE – WHAT WE DO
$6500.00 4 - $500 Bechtel Scholarships
6 - $500.00 SWE-HA Scholarships
1 - $1000.00 FIRST Scholarship
1 - $500.00 Special Circumstances Scholarship.
2 - $2600.00 Space Camp Scholarships
Year Male Female % Female SWE Member Statistics
1983 1,480,824 91,176 5.8%
1994 1,711,122 154,878 8.3% 53% have been a professional member
for more than 10 years
1995 1,771,544 162,456 8.4%
1996 1,793,400 166,600 8.5% 68% attend more than 5 events a year
1997 1,840,544 195,456 9.6%
1998 1,824,228 227,772 11.1% 42% work in the Central (inside 610) area
32% live in the Central (inside 610) area
1999 1,860,414 220,586 10.6% 26% live in various other areas
Source: US Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States, Volumes 1995
through 2000; Table: Employed Civilians, by Occupation, Sex, Race and Hispanic
Origin. (Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment and Earnings, monthly,
January issues.)

9. Benefits for Business Community
SWE – BENEFITS: BUSINESS
Professional development for women employees
Recruiting opportunities & resources
Business development with high net worth, well-
educated women decision-makers
Retention of women employees by demonstrating
commitment to advancing women & celebrating their
contributions
Professional rejuvenation: SWE women inspire, lead,
help, direct & create positive work environments

10. Benefits for Individual Members
SWE – BENEFITS: MEMBER
In-person & online worldwide networking
Online access to business & job-hunting resources
Members-only listservs
Experts & mentors in many topics & disciplines
e-Classes on many technical and soft skill subjects
Student chapters & programs for young women & girls
Speaking opportunities at conferences & events

11. 2008 – What’s Ahead
SWE – FUTURE GOALS
Events Ahead
Check our website
www.swehouston.org
A look Ahead