Reflections at 35 and 45: Unexpected Early Career Lessons

There is no lack of self-help and professional development books in this information age. But as we look back a decade of working as STEM professionals, we could not help but wonder why some of our most impactful lessons have not been documented anywhere? What if we had known then what we know now? Could those insights have accelerated our career and shaped our path more intentionally? Through the reflections of a 35-year-old stepping into leadership and a 45-year-old seasoned professional, we’ll explore key lessons for women in engineering that often go unspoken but can significantly impact career progression. We'll share real-life experiences of how community, authenticity and goals prioritization have helped us through critical phases of our careers. This session will equip you with tools to pace your career intentionally, maximize opportunities, and confidently navigate the different stages of your engineering journey.