Blake Gooch, assistant director for technology, data, and science at the Knowlton Career Center, and five computer science seniors attended the Society of Women Engineers (SWE24) Conference October 2024 in Chicago. Here are their takeaways from this event. Gooch’s primary duty as an assistant director is to coach students as they navigate the career space while at Denison.
But first, what is the SWE24 Conference?
SWE24 is a three-day flagship event sponsored by the Society of Women Engineers. Conference-goers attend interactive workshops on leadership and engineering subjects, engage in networking, gain career insights, access the career fair, and connect with industry leaders while cultivating relationships and empowering women. This year, over 20,000 people attended.
Shaina Khan ’25, computer science major
Attending the SWE24 conference was a one-of-a-kind experience. It was my first conference, and I am left in awe. Being around so many strong and powerful women was beyond inspiring. It was the most supportive environment, with every woman rooting for the other and everyone lifting each other up. The panel sessions were immensely insightful and changed perspectives for the better. It was girl power manifested.
Shaina Khan ’25
Rosalie Lee ’25, computer science major
The SWE24 conference was an empowering experience! Being in a huge crowd of passionate women in STEM was both inspiring and motivating. Between the amazing stories, valuable advice, and a few good laughs, I walked away with a recalled sense of purpose and excitement for my career. It was a reminder that while the journey isn’t always easy, having a supportive community makes all the difference.
Rosalie Lee ’25
Margaret Malan ’25, computer science major
Attending the SWE24 conference was both an educational and inspirational experience. Not only did I walk away inspired by the current women working in this field, but I also had a better idea of all the opportunities open to me. It was amazing to connect with many women who share the same experiences and dreams.
Margaret Malan ’25
Vuong Nguyen ’25, computer science and data analytics double major
I feel super inspired by the hard work and the contribution that we women have made throughout the decade. I’m impressed by the scale of the conference and how many women have made their way into engineering. I’m thrilled to connect with many amazing peers and professionals. This is not my first conference but definitely the most memorable one, with the support from Blake, Denison, and my friends from the CS department. I’m grateful for the past week. I’m now inspired to work even harder because I know there are a lot of spaces and opportunities for women out there.
Vuong Nguyen ’25
Annie Pfeufer ’25, computer science and data analytics double major
I was thrilled to attend the SWE24 conference in Chicago. I wasn’t sure what to expect from my first conference, so I tried to go in as a sponge and absorb as much as I could. It was really cool to be surrounded by thousands of other women who shared my interests and were willing to connect with me in support of my career goals.
Annie Pfeufer ’25
Blake Gooch, assistant director
For a career coach, this was an impactful conference. At the two-day career fair, I learned about companies — including Apple, Walt Disney, Microsoft, First Energy — and their opportunities.
Group selfie with Blake Gooch.
