On Saturday, April 25, 2015, the Department of Chemical Engineering and the AIChE Drexel Student Chapter hosted a “Women in Chemical Engineering” panel discussion. Approximately 60 alumnae and students attended the panel event sponsored by the Drexel University Alumni Office and The Dow Chemical Company.
The day began with a breakfast networking session, which included a team-building project using K’NEX. Afterwards, Dr. Giuseppe Palmese gave an opening presentation demonstrating women’s increased role in engineering. He explained how recent data shows that the chemical engineering department graduated a class of 50% women in 2014, higher than the national average of 33%.
The six panelists at this session were Dr. Padma Narayan (Dow Chemical), Suzanne Chiavari, (American Water), Julia Cutler (Colgate-Palmolive), Dr. Amutha Jeyarajasingam (DuPont), Dr. Nily Dan (Drexel), and Dr. Vibha Kalra (Drexel). The panel was moderated by Dr. Margaret Wheatley (Drexel).
A lively discussion focused on questions ranging from professional accomplishments, leadership styles, academic degrees, workplace personnel issues, career advancement for women, and balancing family life with work. Students were given a chance to ask follow-up questions.
After a lunch presentation by Chemical Engineering Ph.D. candidate Caitlin Dillard, Dr. Padma Narayan, Senior Research and Development Leader for Industrial Solutions at The Dow Chemical Company, gave closing remarks, asking students and alumnae what they learned during the event. The event concluded with a raffle contest sponsored by Trader Joe’s and Joe Coffee for gift prizes.
Below are selected comments from our alumnae and students after the event:
"If you don't believe that women are empowered and positioned to profoundly impact the future of the chemical engineering profession and society, then you didn’t attend Drexel's CBE Women in Chemical Engineering Panel Discussion. It is a rare, forward thinking, thoughtfully designed with the whole woman in mind opportunity that is motivating, rewarding, and practical for those in any career stage."
– Cynthia DeBisschop BS '93
“The informal atmosphere made it comfortable for students and alumnae to share their experiences and to ask questions. The diverse group of panelists really provided great insight on the many career paths available to women in engineering.”
– Arianna Watters, PhD '14
“It was great to get the chance to speak with professionals from all different chemical engineering related fields. The structure of the open discussion made the event very comfortable and allowed attendees to get significant feedback from all of the participants. I look forward to the next Chemical Engineering Panel Event.”
– Kayla Hannon, BS '16
“I learned that you will always encounter obstacles in the workforce but will be able to handle them. And I reconsidered my path on moving forward to get my Ph.D.”
– Michelle Torelli, BS '18