Professional Clubs

By: Team O

Professional Clubs are a great resource for developing your own skills and building your network. Penn State has tons of fantastic professional clubs and it is recommended that you join at least one of them! We’re going to introduce you to some of the fantastic options you have for professional clubs within the College of Engineering. Keep in mind there are plenty of professional clubs outside of the College of Engineering that are also great options!

The Engineering Leadership Society (ELS) is a professional club directly tied to the Engineering Leadership Development minor. As a newer club, they are still growing which means there are a lot of leadership opportunities available (yes, even for underclassmen!). You don’t have to be in the minor to join the club nor do you have to be in the club if you are in the minor, but it is a great way to grow your community within the College of Engineering. The club has alumni talks, case competitions, and workshops to name a few activities. The club is constantly growing and adding more events. To keep up to date, follow @eldpennstate on Instagram or go to the involvement fair and sign up to receive their weekly newsletters!

The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is a national professional society, but Penn State has an award winning chapter of its own! Throughout the year, you will see lots of events run by SWE and is a great support system that acts like a big family! SWE leadership is a great way to get involved, and it IS POSSIBLE to be on the leadership team, even as a freshman! Being a part of the leadership team is so fun because you get to grow deeper bonds with the other women on the team. You also gain a stronger support system and really get a chance to see your hard work have positive impacts on the Penn State community. In addition to SWE leadership, SWE at Penn State also has its own THON organization that anyone can join!

Another way to get professional opportunities is through engineering major-specific clubs. These clubs provide opportunities to dive deeper into your major and learn more about the many different directions you can take your career. They also open the door for networking by bringing in speakers that talk about their experiences in the field. By making connections with alumni and current students within your major, you will have a better understanding of what you want to do after graduation and how to get there. If you are still undecided on your major, talking with these clubs is a great way to learn more about the coursework and careers associated with each major.