Celebrating International Women in Engineering Day

In celebration of International Women in Engineering Day, we’re proud to spotlight Cassidy Thompson—Mechanical Engineer and President of the Golden Gate Professional Section of the Society of Women Engineers—for a conversation about what this day means to her and her hopes for the future.

Tell us about your recent volunteer work

In February, I volunteered at Oakland High School during Engineer’s Week, leading a hands-on activity where students designed space landers from a small list of materials with the goal to be able to drop their lander and protect marshmallow astronauts. It was inspiring to see their creativity and problem-solving skills. They are forced to think outside the box and it’s so fun to see the solutions (or even loopholes) they come up with to get their design to work. As President of SWE Golden Gate, I also helped organize an April engineering expo for middle schoolers and their parents, showcasing real-world applications of engineering through interactive activities. The event was a great success, and we’re excited to expand it this fall.

How has your role with the Society of Women Engineers helped you support other women in the field?

As a longtime SWE member, one of my proudest contributions has been helping grow our Golden Gate Section’s scholarship program—this year awarding over $15,000 to 10 local high school students pursuing engineering. It’s incredibly rewarding not only to contribute to these students’ futures and help ease the financial burden of college, but also to meet them, share my story, and broaden their understanding of the many paths within engineering. I also supported the launch of a new SWE section at City College of San Francisco, mentoring passionate students as they built their community and encouraged more women in STEM.

What does this year’s theme, #TogetherWeEngineer, mean to you?

I wouldn’t be an engineer without the support and friendship of the many women engineers I’ve met through SWE and throughout my career. To me, this year’s theme highlights the power of community. Women engineers need one another for support, mentorship, and encouragement—and we need male allies to do the same and help normalize that women belong in engineering. Diverse teams are stronger, and it takes all of us working together to make that a reality.

Why are hands-on STEM activities important for young women?

Studies show that around age 10, many girls begin to lose interest in math and science—often due to limited exposure to STEM subjects and a lack of female role models. That’s why hands-on outreach is so important. These activities not only make STEM fun and relatable, but also allow girls to see women engineers in action. When they hear real stories and see success firsthand, it helps them envision a future in engineering for themselves.