The Early Engineering Advantage Program (EEAP) at Old Dominion University marked its 25th anniversary last month by welcoming two members of its inaugural class back to campus to share career advice with this year's participants.
Jessica Weiss and Jennifer Masis joined EEAP's first cohort in 2001. On Tuesday, the alumnae returned to ODU to reflect on their experiences and encourage students to build strong professional relationships. Weiss, a 2005 mechanical engineering graduate, works as a patent examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Masis, who shifted from engineering to accounting and finance while at ODU, now oversees workplace analytics and financial forecasting for Loudoun County Public Schools.
“I think connections are the most important thing that you can hold on to,” Weiss said. “I mean, we've seriously been best friends since 2001.”
Weiss and Masis encouraged students to ask for help, build relationships with faculty and mentors, pursue internships and get involved on campus. Those experiences, they said, build confidence and help students stand out to future employers.
The panelists also encouraged students to embrace change and new opportunities throughout their careers.
“It's okay to change jobs. It's okay to try something new,” Masis said. “If you do the same thing for too long, you're not growing or learning.”
The Batten College of Engineering and Technology launched EEAP in 2001 to attract and retain women in the traditionally male-majority field of engineering. The Virginia Space Grant Consortium has partnered with the program since its inception, and more than 200 students have participated in EEAP.
This year's participants spent the week getting a head start on college life while exploring engineering through hands-on activities.
Beyond touring campus and finding their classrooms, students created a Bat-Signal, wrote code inspired by Hidden Figures and operated laser measuring equipment. They also toured STIHL Inc. in Virginia Beach and attended a dining etiquette workshop hosted by the University's Center for Career and Leadership Development.
The students wrapped up the week by presenting what they learned.
“It was an amazing opportunity just to be in EEAP and see all these amazing female engineers and be around people who really are interested and truly want to do this,” said incoming freshman Destiny Johnson.
Kristin Eden, Ed.S., assistant teaching professor in the Batten College and EEAP director, praised the students after their presentations.
“Seeing you apply engineering concepts you didn't even realize you were learning was really cool,” she said. “You were already thinking like an engineer, using the engineering design process, setting goals and solving problems—you just didn't know it yet.”