In today's fast-moving world of innovation and defense, the engineers of women not only shape the future of national security, which are traditionally dominated by men. From the development of advanced materials to the management of breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, women who have contractor roles change the landscape of national defense steadily and powerfully.
But while the work itself is worthwhile, the path can be insulating. For this reason, a growing number of engineers for women find support, mentoring and connection by affinity groups such as women's engineers in the career as a government company (WEGCC).
“In an area in which you are often one of the few – or the only woman in the room, it can make the difference to have a community that understands your mission and your way of thinking.”
– Wegcc member
Purpose meets the community
For many engineers for women in national defense, the driving force itself is the mission itself – the strategic national priorities in science, security, energy and the environment through innovative research and development, operational excellence and sensible commitment of the community. Navigating government contractor environments also means learning that they lead to long schedules and institutional obstacles through complexity. In fields in which the presentation still remains, navigating can be insulating in this room. Here affinity groups such as Wegcc come into play.
Wegcc, an affinity group within SWE, was officially launched in 2022 to close this gap. It offers a committed space for engineers for women who work for or with government companies for companies to connect via companies, disciplines and career phases. Membership in every SWE affinity group is open to all SWE members who are interested in participating.
What Wegcc offers
Wegcc exists Help women to thrive in state contract roles not only to survive. The group offers:
- Mentoring chances
Above all through informal meetups (for the time being) and seminars, members can combine with experienced engineers who have successfully navigated complex, mission -driven environments and have brought their careers in engineering. - Management development
Wegcc leads from a technical team and supports women who take over women who take on mission -critical initiatives. - Networking between organizations
Since WEGCC includes several government contractors, it promotes unique cross-company collaborations that help expand the professional horizon. - Community that is rooted according to the purpose
Wegcc is not just about career growth, but about common effects. Members know that they are part of something larger: building the technologies and systems that protect our nation.
“When Wegcc was still in an early stage and we imagined what this community could become, I still noticed how effective it would be to simply hear from other engineers who understood the unique pressure of this work.
-Courtney Clark, Wegcc co-lead
A growing presence
At WE24, more than 60 engineers visited the Wegcc Open House – many discovered a lively network of colleagues in the same career room for the first time. This event led to new mentoring pairings, increased visibility within SWE and an increase in group binding in the following quarter.
“This year we had an astonishing turnout at every Meetup opportunity for WegCC, and our leads were thrilled that so many people were interested in being active in our community. On Thursday evening we had a Wegcc Meetup in the Chicago Starbucks Reserve, in which members shared the members, and made us while we were with two pictures.) Affinity Group Open House with one of the largest groups in business and interest (see the lower left picture as a reference).
-Charli Strong, Wegcc co-lead
Drive innovation through inclusion
Government companies organizations are often at the forefront of technological innovation, including AI, quantum systems, aviation and space travel and cyber security. But real innovations only occur if different voices not only hear, but also capable.
Affinity groups such as WEGCC help to accelerate this shift by promoting environments in which women's engineers can authentically carry and contribute fully to mission success.
Look ahead
While the defense landscape is developing, the role of women also plays in the design. Wegcc helps that women's engineers are not only part of the conversation – but also leads it.
“As one of the Co-leads for Wegcc, I believe that it is important to make our members confident in confidence in the national defense arena.
– Member of the WegCC steering committee member
Would you like to learn more?
If you are an engineer who works in national security or government contracts and is looking for a supportive, authorized community, Wegcc is there for you. For more information about the group, see this blog post and visit our website.
Join us. Connect to the purpose. Lead with effect.
Visit Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn or send an email to wegcc-ag@swe.org to get involved.