Military & Veterans Blog

Welcome to the SWE Military & Veterans (MAVAG) Blog Page!

This page features blog posts and articles from our Military & Veterans AG.

Veteran’s Day – posted 10 November 2024

As we approach Veterans Day, the Society of Women Engineers’ Military and Veterans Affinity Group reflects on the profound significance of this day. It is a time dedicated to honoring the service, courage, and sacrifices of those who have defended our nation’s freedoms, including the women engineers who have served and continue to serve in various capacities. To commemorate this day, our leadership team shares their personal insights on what Veterans Day means to them, emphasizing the importance of recognition, remembrance, and support for all veterans within our community and beyond.

Helen Mills: Veterans Day is important to me for acknowledging and celebrating those who are too often forgotten, not only by history but also by the society around me. We often don’t know or appreciate the valuable experiences and skills our veterans bring to our workforce and communities, which translates to limited opportunities and upward growth. This time of year reminds me that we can always do more to develop, encourage, recognize and thank those who did so much for us as US citizens to enjoy the freedoms we have. And that we can be advocates for change by supporting initiatives within our own companies, communities and across our country to do just that. Veterans day is a special day set aside to take time to thank those who never asked for thanks when they served our country, and I thank every single veteran with us this year for their service.

Lisa Malmanger: Veterans Day holds significance for me as an Army veteran. This day is a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who have willingly stepped forward to defend our freedoms. It serves not just as a day of gratitude but as an opportunity to honor the courage, dedication, and resilience of all who have served. While Veterans Day is important, there are ways to thank a veteran any day, by listening to their stories, serving alongside them by volunteering, or supporting veteran-owned businesses and organizations. It is essential to ensure that the legacy of those who have served, and continue to serve remains remembered and respected.

Jaymie Brain: After I first left the military, I didn’t really feel like I belonged in the ranks of other veterans. Because of the nature of my work, I couldn’t talk about what I did in the military, I couldn’t stand alongside other vets and share stories the same way, or so I thought. Several years later my son asked me to be one of the vets that visited his class on Veterans Day. We met with staff and other vets and as we started towards the classrooms, we stepped into the hallway and found the entire school was lining the hallways, waving flags, clapping and cheering.  Looking around, nearly every vet had a tear in their eye. I was overwhelmed by the whole experience, but that day I learned Veterans Day is about camaraderie with other vets and an opportunity to support the veteran community and say thank you for your service. I learned that I didn’t need to minimize the value of my service. Veterans Day taught me to proudly say “I’m a Veteran”.

10 Tips for We24 – posted 13 October 2024

These tips will help you navigate the career fair, prepare for interviews, plan your sessions, and take advantage of networking opportunities at WE24.

1. The career fair will have a variety of hiring opportunities. Some companies just share information and encourage you to apply, while others provide offers on the spot. Make sure to have your resume prepared and an on-the-spot interview!
2. Prepare, prepare, prepare! Ensure you have identified which companies you want to speak with during the career fair and locate them on the career floor map. Research the types of positions they have available, and company values, and write summaries for each company. You’ll be able to glance at those before you approach the booth.
3. Some career fair booths will have designated areas based on the type of position you’re applying for (program management, mechanical engineering, etc.) Look out for signs, lines, and employees as you approach each booth to ensure you’re in the right place. 
4. Upload your resume for the WE24 conference here so that you have it associated with your registration. Should you run out of printed resumes, companies can see them with your scanned badge. Review the SWE Career Center for more information.
5. Wear comfortable shoes. Dress professionally for the career fair, but you will be on your feet at the conference and you want to be able to make it through the whole weekend. 
6. Download the SWE Events app to plan out your sessions each day. You’ll be able to see all the keynotes, speakers, lounges, and hospitality suites. The app will also notify you of any cancellations or changes, and has handy links for the convention center map, career fair, and more!
7. Take notes at sessions about the speakers, and scan their LinkedIn QR codes if provided so you can connect with them after the conference. Building your network can start by connecting with a speaker you admire or the content they cover. 
8. Take part in the hospitality suites to meet with recruiters in a more relaxed setting, and help expedite your interview during the career fair. Companies use their hospitality suites to meet you, learn more about what you’re about, and if you’re a good fit for their team. It’s also a chance for some free food or merchandise, and sometimes even fun games or engagement! Enjoy them, and make sure to drink responsibly should the suite have alcohol. 
9. Have fun and enjoy attending sessions you normally wouldn’t think of – conferences are a great space to learn about different career paths, development opportunities, technologies in the world, and networking. 
10. Join MAVAG at the Affinity Group Open House, and the WE24 Military and Veteran Affinity Group Lounge. Come grab some swag, meet your co-leads, and connect with other members!

Say it Like a Civilian – posted 5 July 2024

The SWE Military and Veterans Affinity Group (MAVAG) shares five tips to help you communicate with your peers in a civilian workplace.

Navigating the transition from military to civilian life can be challenging, especially in the workplace. Here are five tips to help you bridge the communication gap and ensure your interactions with civilian colleagues are clear, effective, and professional.

5 Tips to Help You Better Communicate with Your Peers in a Civilian Workplace

1. Spell it out, literally

Keep terms simple and acronyms to a minimum. People without military experience have not used the types of acronyms or shorthand you may be used to in your service experience.

Make sure to say, “United States Navy” instead of USN or spell out “Captain” instead of “CAPT.” When using too many service-based phrases or acronyms, you will lose the focus of those listening to you or cause unnecessary back and forth in written communication. Keep this in mind for service vernacular like “Roger” or “high speed,” or even when using military time.

2. As Michael Scott once said, “Why don’t you explain this to me like I’m five?”

Certain elements within your experience may be completely foreign to that of the civilian experience. You will be better suited to connect with your peers if you can draw parallels from their experiences to yours using simple examples. Instead of saying “I design space deployable for multi-array antennas,” you could say “I design hardware that goes on satellites that opens purely on mechanical hardware to support different platforms.

3. Assume positive intent

We civilians are going to mess up and not know what to ask or how to ask. Sometimes we may stop ourselves mid-question, or you can see the gears turning as we try to figure out how to ask a question appropriately.

Unless the situation clearly suggests otherwise, assume that the person is trying their best to ask questions the best way. Better yet, help coach them when they may not get it right (or say nothing at all!)

4. Don’t feel obligated to share

In the case that an employee is asking personal questions regarding your military service, and you’re unsure how to handle the situation professionally while still respecting your own needs, try one of these phrases:

• “That is a personal experience for me that I do not wish to share in detail and will do so if/when I feel comfortable.”
• “Perhaps others have shared those sorts of stories with you in the past, but I don’t feel comfortable sharing that part of my story.”
• “That is not an appropriate question to ask a service member if they don’t volunteer it to you, as it may be a difficult or highly personal conversation for them.”

You are never required to divulge personal information you don’t wish to share, in the workplace and your everyday life, and you are never required to answer a question you don’t feel comfortable answering.

5. Advocate for yourself by vocalizing your needs

The life of a service member is so unique by person, branch, country, tours, and overall service. Companies will typically have military and veteran services that seek to serve the broader employee base and provide general resources.

Leverage your HR, employee experience, and employee resource groups on additional resources, needs, accommodations, or workplace issues. Every employee is entitled to a safe, inclusive workspace, but your leadership will not know exactly what you need if you don’t ask.

Are there areas where you are looking to personally develop? Do you have specific topics in mind that you would like further tips or training on? Tell us by emailing the SWE MAVAG team at militaryveteran-ag@swe.org.

Memorial Day – posted 15 May 2024

In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress, though it is still often called Decoration Day. Memorial Day honors those who lost their lives while defending their country.

What significance does Memorial Day hold for you? Our co-leads share their thoughts on the meaning of Memorial Day.

Helen Mills: “Memorial Day to me is a day of remembrance and thankfulness. Growing up around so many who were serving or served in the military, Memorial Day was never just a long weekend. We took time to remember the friend we lost in Iraq. We wore poppies and laid flowers. We thanked those whom we never had a chance to thank for their service. I am grateful for every single service member who does come home and take Memorial Day to remember and thank those who didn’t. “

Jaymie Brain: “Memorial Day for me is a day of remembrance. It’s a day to pay tribute to all fallen service members and remember the friends and family we lost while serving their country.

It’s a very personal day for me. Every service member accepts the inherent risks when they raise their hand and take the Oath of Enlistment / Oath of Commissioned Officers. While we hope we never lose a brother or sister in arms, the possibility of loss is real. Memorial Day is an opportunity for reflection and gratitude – I choose to spend the day with people I love,  write letters to the parents or spouses of fallen service members that I served alongside, and visit a friend’s grave.

A friendly reminder, if you see coins on a headstone please leave them there; they have a special meaning.”

Lisa Malmanger: “Memorial Day for me is a day to honor our fellow service members who didn’t make it home. It’s a reminder of war’s grim reality. When I was young, I looked forward to the long weekend from school, hanging out with my friends oblivious to the day’s meaning. It wasn’t until my military service that I grasped the true essence of Memorial Day and the immense sacrifices made by service members. As I’ll be abroad this year, I’ve decided to contribute to veteran organizations dedicated to assisting the families of those who have given their all to serve our nation.”