Student Organization Fosters Kinship and Support for Women Engineers on Campus

The Society of Women Engineers (SWE), which re-launched as an official club at Middlesex College in the 2024 Spring semester, gives women engineers a space and voice within the male-dominated field.  

Mahi Sanghvi, second-year mechanical engineering major and president of SWE, was introduced to the idea of SWE by the club’s former president at the Student Engagement Fair. The club had unfortunately disbanded in recent years due to lack of engagement. But after learning more about it, Sanghvi realized the importance of this kind of space for women engineers at the College. 

“I just wanted to be in a room with all female engineers to pick their brains and see how they feel on campus,” said Sanghvi. “For some of my engineering classes, I’m one of only two women to 20 men. And we all get along, but it still feels isolating.” 

While the organization is still finding its legs, word-of-mouth has helped the group grow to over 20 members. This semester, the group had one student who traveled from the New Brunswick Center to join the camaraderie. Sanghvi says that members most often learn about SWE through fellow classmates, but it also creates a kinship for those who would not have known each other in their classes. 

“I think it’s cool that students discover they have classes with each other through SWE. That happened with one of my now-friends.” 

Sanghvi says one of her favorite components of SWE is that it is a genuinely supportive and non-competitive environment. Meetings usually involve members discussing their classes and working on homework together. 

“One thing I really like about SWE is that we are able to help one another since some of us have taken the same classes before or are more knowledgeable about different subjects. Even if it’s the smallest chemistry class, we’re never hesitant to help and always want to see one another succeed. That’s one thing I really admire about this community.” 

Comparison, especially in a strenuous field such as engineering, often hinders a student’s ability to recognize their own strengths and instead focus on their weaknesses. Sanghvi says SWE helped her take that pressure off and champion her fellow students for their differences. 

“Engineering is not just one skillset or personality type. Some people are great at coding, and some are better at building or writing. SWE helped me learn what kind of person I am. It was less looking down on myself and more lifting myself up.” 

The group has organized a few events, such as their recent arts and crafts night, but they are typically small-scale. The hope is for SWE to build its membership and eventually host larger events, such as a women in STEM panel. Though she is graduating this semester, Sanghvi says she is hopeful for the future of SWE at Middlesex College. 

“All of the members have worked so hard to build it up, including former members and our advisor Professor Martinez. I really want to be able to visit Middlesex after graduation and go to a SWE meeting and see them thriving.” 

After graduation Sanghvi hopes to study robotics engineering at Princeton University. Her advice for future engineering students at Middlesex College? 

“You don’t have to wait for one moment to consider yourself an engineer, you already are. Don’t be afraid to take a difficult class, take an internship, or take up space. You should be the person that you were once aspiring to be.” 

Society of Women Engineers meets every other Thursday in Billy Johnson Hall, room 206. For updates, visit the club’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcc_swe/