Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE)
‘What is the Institute of Industrial Engineers?‘ is a question I get a lot. To professionals, I answer it by saying we are the Professional Organization for Undergraduate Industrial Engineering students that work to develop our members throughout their college career. It sounds pretty nerdy and quite honestly, it is. But to colleagues, I answer that question with saying it was the best decision I made in college. I began in this organization as the Alumni Relations Chair under the Programs board as a first-semester IE Student. I helped plan a Homecoming Tailgate for Alumni and a Senior Banquet for graduating seniors (both great networking opportunities). The following semester, I was elected into the Programs Director position which put me on IIE’s Executive Board and in a leadership role as a sophomore. I was in the Programs Director position for one year (I served two consecutive terms) and the following year I was elected to President where I am currently serving. I found that being in a leadership role this young was challenging but it was also extremely rewarding. Being in charge of seniors who were anywhere from 2-4 years older than me can be intimidating but this taught me how to interact with those older than me. Later it also built a network of IE Professionals as I was still in school. Also, I can proudly say that these leadership roles are the reason I received both of my summer internships at NextEra Energy and Procter & Gamble. These companies and so many others were extremely interested in how I received these positions so quickly in my college career. The past year as President has been the most rewarding thing I have done in college. It is amazing how much faculty, alumni, staff, and even our colleagues respect women in leadership roles. It truly has shown me how far women have come and just how much potential we truly have to make a difference in this world. I highly encourage all engineers to join their respective organization like IIE. IIE has changed my entire college experience, given me opportunitiesI never thought possible, and developed me into the professional I am today. It has changed my college career and has potential to change yours.
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