Celebrating Women in Engineering: North Alabama Professionals Shine at WE24
In the vibrant city of Chicago, engineers from across the nation gathered to celebrate innovation, collaboration, and recognition at this year’s annual conference, WE24. Running from October 24 to 26, the event was a shining moment for two remarkable women from the North Alabama professional section of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). Shela Joyce, a Continuous Improvement Lean Specialist at IPEX, and Rachel Carter Snoddy, a Software Engineer at Boeing, were both honored with the prestigious Distinguished New Engineer Award, acknowledging their outstanding contributions not just to SWE, but also to the broader engineering community.
A Fierce Competition
The competition for this award was no walk in the park, with over 1,000 submissions this year alone. The accolade celebrates SWE members who are within their first decade of their engineering careers, and it’s safe to say that Joyce and Snoddy stood out from the pack.
Shela Joyce: A Community Builder
Joyce’s journey with SWE began when she joined the collegiate section at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) as a freshman. She was quick to immerse herself in the organization, spending two years creating a mentoring program with local SWENext clubs. This program introduces students aged 5 to 18 to STEM fields. Joyce, who graduated with a degree in chemical engineering in 2020, has since revitalized the North Alabama professional section of SWE, currently holding the position of president.
Her inspiration came from a close friend’s mother, an engineer, who acted as a cheerleader during Joyce’s formative years. “Because of her mentoring, I was able to build a toolkit for combatting imposter syndrome and negative external influences,” Joyce shared. Her words of wisdom resonate strongly: “We need engineers of all backgrounds in order to find the best solutions, so don’t feel like you have to change yourself to be an engineer.”
Rachel Carter Snoddy: A Vision for the Future
On the other hand, Snoddy has also made impressive strides in her short career. A graduate of Troy University with a Bachelor’s degree in computer science, she is furthering her education with an MBA focused on engineering management at UAH. Having joined SWE in 2021, Snoddy is not only the Data Officer for the North Alabama SWE section but also actively participates in various committees, including the Society Leadership Coaching Committee and the Finance Committee.
Her passion for engineering was ignited by her father, who pointed out engineering landmarks in Huntsville during her childhood. “Without his encouragement, I never would have dreamed that this career field would be for me,” Snoddy noted. She believes in the transformative potential of engineering for young women, urging them to embrace their passions and pursue careers in this field. “Young women have the potential to make significant contributions to society through engineering, whether it’s by developing innovative technologies or tackling global challenges like climate change,” said Snoddy.
A Proud Community
The North Alabama professional section also received accolades for their own efforts, being awarded the Gold Mission Award for their work in fulfilling SWE’s strategic aims, along with recognition for Membership Growth for their achievements over the past year.
As we celebrate these remarkable achievements, it’s clear that the contributions of women in engineering are invaluable. For those young women out there who are curious about engineering and the Society of Women Engineers, consider this your invitation to explore the possibility of joining a community that champions your dreams and aspirations.
Looking Forward
As the conference came to a close, the hearts and minds of those in attendance were filled with inspiration and hope for the future, largely thanks to the contributions of passionate individuals like Joyce and Snoddy. They remind us all that with hard work, support, and a little courage, the sky is truly the limit in the world of engineering.
