audio by year 2011

Jill Tietjen, a past president and Fellow of the Society of Women Engineers, discusses the road that led her to successfully nominate SWE Fellow and Achievement Award recipient Yvonne Brill for the National Medal of Technology and Innovation for her invention of the hydrazine resistojet propulsion system, which became the standard in the satellite industry. Tietjen explains that that women have to nominate other women for awards because female award recipients become role models for young women, and they generally won’t be nominated for those awards by men. She also explained that she’s nominated Brill for so many awards not only because of her technical achievements, but also because Brill herself has put tremendous effort into nominating other women for awards.

This oral history interview was recorded October 14, 2011 at the Society of Women Engineers WE11 National Conference in Chicago, Illinois, as part of the SWE Grassroots Oral History Project. The interviewer is Troy Eller. This excerpt was selected and produced by the SWE Archivist. The excerpt may have been edited for length, however the intent of the interviewee's words remain the same. Audio excerpts may be used for research and educational purposes only.

Allison Machtemes Lunde discusses her job search following the completion of her master's degree in structural engineering in 2011. She describes the anxiety she felt after turning down a few career opportunities, why she ultimately accepted a position at Barr Engineering, and what qualities attracted her to the company. Machtemes Lunde is the FY12 Collegiate Director for the Society of Women Engineers.

This oral history interview was recorded October 12, 2011 at the Society of Women Engineers WE11 National Conference in Chicago, Illinois, as part of the SWE Grassroots Oral History Project. The interviewer is Troy Eller. This excerpt was selected and produced by the SWE Archivist. The excerpt may have been edited for length, however the intent of the interviewee's words remain the same. Audio excerpts may be used for research and educational purposes only.

Sue Parsons explains why she chose to pursue an MBA rather than a Professional Engineer license after working in a technical position for a few years, as well as the challenges of completing the MBA coursework while working full-time as an engineer. She also describes why she decided to follow a career path in engineering management over a technical career. Parsons is the Contracts Director at CGI Federal and is a Fellow Life Member of the Society of Women Engineers.

This oral history interview was recorded October 13, 2011 at the Society of Women Engineers WE12 Annual Conference in Chicago, Illinois, as part of the SWE Grassroots Oral History Project. The interviewer is Troy Eller. This excerpt was selected and produced by the SWE Archivist. The excerpt may have been edited for length, however the intent of the interviewee's words remain the same. Audio excerpts may be used for research and educational purposes only.