Teresa Curvin is the SWENext Club advisor at Walker Valley High School where she teaches Pre-engineering courses and is a long-time SWE member. Pictured below is some of the student members of her SWENext group. Read on to learn more about Teresa and her impact with SWE.
Tell me how you first got involved in with SWE?
I first got involved in SWE while an engineering student at UT-Knoxville. It was a very small club and was not very active at the time. After graduation I let my membership lapse and picked it up again after meeting Shannah when we both worked at Whirlpool. There wasn't a section nearby and after discussion we decided to get with a group of ladies and start one! I am a founding member of the Chattanooga Area Section.
What's the best thing to happen since you started working with SWE?
The friendships I've made along the way. Shannah is one of my best friends and I don't think that friendship would've blossomed the way it did without our work together in the CA SWE section. I also value the networking, those contacts have been invaluable throughout the years.
What do you think is the biggest challenge for women in STEM?
I believe the opportunities for women to advance are available in companies but sometimes you just have to search them out. I don't think women always realize that, in a perfect world your boss or HR will target you for future growth, but in reality you have to take charge of your own career and be on the search for new challenges.
What is your personal philosophy on what should be done to promote women in STEM?
For me when I worked in industry, the realization I was the only female engineer in a company (at that site) was a bit lonely at times. I would love to see companies realizing that sometimes it's nice to know you're not alone and put together networking events or somehow connect those female engineers. As an engineer, I've more than comfortable working with my male counterparts but sometimes it's nice to have another female around to talk about the latest romance movie, etc.
If you hadn’t gotten involved in SWE, what would your (professional or personal) life be like?
I never would've met and became friends with some amazing ladies. Professionally, I don't think I would be as assertive as I've became throughout the years. I'm a much better negotiator thanks to a session our section hosted many years ago. I'm not afraid to ask for what I know I'm worth and am willing to hold out for it. Before SWE I was much more timid....if you can believe that! lol
What do you wish other people knew about SWE?
I have a male coworker teacher that calls it the Sexist Women Engineers. I wish people understood that it's not aboutfeminism, it's about teaching ladies their worth in a male dominated field, it gives us networking opportunities and camaraderie.
As a woman in engineering, what advice would you give those wishing to pursue a career in STEM?
Be persistent! Being an engineer is a dream I had that many people (including my dad) told me I would never be able to achieve. I had faith in my abilities and knew with hard work I could achieve anything. While I miss the day to day work I used to do, getting to work with our future engineers and get them excited about the career is a dream job. I love my students...both male and female!
I first got involved in SWE while an engineering student at UT-Knoxville. It was a very small club and was not very active at the time. After graduation I let my membership lapse and picked it up again after meeting Shannah when we both worked at Whirlpool. There wasn't a section nearby and after discussion we decided to get with a group of ladies and start one! I am a founding member of the Chattanooga Area Section.
What's the best thing to happen since you started working with SWE?
The friendships I've made along the way. Shannah is one of my best friends and I don't think that friendship would've blossomed the way it did without our work together in the CA SWE section. I also value the networking, those contacts have been invaluable throughout the years.
What do you think is the biggest challenge for women in STEM?
I believe the opportunities for women to advance are available in companies but sometimes you just have to search them out. I don't think women always realize that, in a perfect world your boss or HR will target you for future growth, but in reality you have to take charge of your own career and be on the search for new challenges.
What is your personal philosophy on what should be done to promote women in STEM?
For me when I worked in industry, the realization I was the only female engineer in a company (at that site) was a bit lonely at times. I would love to see companies realizing that sometimes it's nice to know you're not alone and put together networking events or somehow connect those female engineers. As an engineer, I've more than comfortable working with my male counterparts but sometimes it's nice to have another female around to talk about the latest romance movie, etc.
If you hadn’t gotten involved in SWE, what would your (professional or personal) life be like?
I never would've met and became friends with some amazing ladies. Professionally, I don't think I would be as assertive as I've became throughout the years. I'm a much better negotiator thanks to a session our section hosted many years ago. I'm not afraid to ask for what I know I'm worth and am willing to hold out for it. Before SWE I was much more timid....if you can believe that! lol
What do you wish other people knew about SWE?
I have a male coworker teacher that calls it the Sexist Women Engineers. I wish people understood that it's not aboutfeminism, it's about teaching ladies their worth in a male dominated field, it gives us networking opportunities and camaraderie.
As a woman in engineering, what advice would you give those wishing to pursue a career in STEM?
Be persistent! Being an engineer is a dream I had that many people (including my dad) told me I would never be able to achieve. I had faith in my abilities and knew with hard work I could achieve anything. While I miss the day to day work I used to do, getting to work with our future engineers and get them excited about the career is a dream job. I love my students...both male and female!
