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Kenya King
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Perimeter College
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CLARKSTON, Ga.—The few days that engineering student Paloma Hodje spent at the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Conference in Chicago boosted her confidence and narrowed her professional focus.
“I now know I want to work in biomedical engineering,” she said assuredly.
Hodje is one of ten students from Perimeter College at Georgia State University that attended the SWE conference in October. The three-day flagship engineering event offers students like Hodje the opportunity to engage in networking, gain career insights and connect with industry leaders on innovation.
Hodje, who studies engineering at Perimeter, mostly hung out at the SWE Career Fair which featured representatives from heavy hitter companies such as GE Healthcare, Abbott, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and Northman Group. This means conference attendees got up close with professionals who shared insights about concepts such as product reliability and robust design through DRM, or Design Reliability and Manufacturing.
“I also had the chance to see Medtronic’s surgical robot, Hugo, in real life which I was really impressed by even though I wasn’t allowed to take pictures,” Hodje said.
“Additionally, I networked with a software engineer from Medtronic in the wellness lounge who nicely offered to refer me for a position at Medtronic if I apply in the future.”
Hodje even scored an interview with the Novanta company for a position at their surgical robot site in North Carolina. She’s waiting to hear back from the company.
The Chicago trip was organized by the Perimeter College Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (PCHIE) and funded by State Farm. Dr. Sahithya Reddivari, assistant chair and associate professor in the Perimeter College Department of Computer Science and Engineering, is director for PCHIE.
“I was inspired to take students to the Society of Women Engineers Annual Conference to expose them to a community of accomplished professionals, foster their confidence in pursuing engineering careers—and help them build valuable networks,” she said.
“It's important for students to see firsthand the diverse opportunities available in engineering and to connect with role models who can inspire and guide them on their journey.”
Ilaria Bernardi studies computer science at Perimeter College. She said that attending the engineering conference inspired her to expand her occupation options.
“The career fair was a highlight, providing a vibrant space to meet recruiters and discuss industry trends,” Bernardi said.
“While I didn’t land an internship on the spot, I connected with several recruiters who offered feedback on my skills and my resume, which I’ve since submitted for further review.
“This guidance has been invaluable in helping me refine my approach as I continue exploring career opportunities.”
In addition to Dr. Reddivari, Dr. Kimmy Kellett, Perimeter’s associate professor of biology and Dr. Brooke Skelton, professor of physics, served as faculty advisors on the trip. Reddivari said that the value add for providing these kinds of opportunities for students is immeasurable.
“The experience helps them (students) envision their future in STEM, reinforces their confidence and provides tangible resources like internships and job leads to support their career aspirations,” Reddivari said.
“It’s an investment in their professional growth and personal empowerment.”
Learn more about the Perimeter College Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship here.