The Smith/Society of Women Engineers (SWE) program provides women in technology with cross-functional knowledge, broader perspective, enhanced leadership abilities and a wide-reaching professional women's network. Participants gain insights from studying with other high-potential women from a variety of companies, geographic locations and career backgrounds. In addition, the program helps to decrease the isolation frequently felt by women in science and to increase their confidence and ability to contribute fully in a male-dominated field. The coaching component of the program gives women one-on-one access to top executive coaches.

2009 Program Topics

• Innovation, Creativity and Decision-Making
• Inside Your Leadership Styles
• Manager as Coach
• Negotiation, an Essential Leadership Skill
• Financial Implications of Managerial Decisions
• Jumpstarting Teamwork Business Simulation
• "Taking the Learnings Back": Panel of Senior Executive Women

Key Take-Aways

• Increased innovation and decision-making
• Using action-based creative thinking to transform your work team
• Strategic thinking, problem-solving, action planning
• Bringing the future to the present: embracing risk, error and ambiguity to maintain strategic advantage in a constantly changing world
• Awareness of key trends, paradigms and functions in the world of business
• Technical and corporate cultures-bridging the gap
• Leading from your natural strengths: managing effectively in technical, largely male environments
• Performance metrics for individuals, teams, leaders; identifying non-value-added activities
• Strategic relationship management, creating win/win results
• Negotiation, communication and conflict resolution
• Leading with impact, clarity and integrity
• Getting and giving feedback and coaching for effective teaming
• Intercultural competence for individuals and teams
• Managing yourself and your career
• Being proactive about your own learning and development

Other Program Features

• A Wellness component that provides the opportunity to improve lifestyle management, as well as cultivate habits that increase energy, well being and stress-resilience
• Ongoing access for networking and problem-solving purposes to alumnae from SWE, Smith Executive Education and the Smith undergraduate program who are leaders in business and technology
• Access to annual Smith alumnae events to hone leadership skills and enhance networking/mentoring opportunities
• Access to e-newsletters and quarterly professional development tele-forums about topics of interest to all Smith Executive Education alumnae
• Mechanisms for ongoing discussion of career questions with a wide variety of Smith alumnae