The common advice for career growth is to “move up” into management — but what if your true passion lies in staying close to the technology itself?
In this episode, host Sam East speaks with Deb Whitis, Ph.D., and Amrita Maguire, both of the SWE Technical Career Path Affinity Group, about what it means to grow, lead, and make an impact as engineers while staying on the technical career path.
From developing nickel-based superalloys that power jet engines to advancing ergonomic standards and AI-enabled design, Deb and Amrita reflect on their careers and share how technical leadership can be just as influential as managing people.
They also highlight the work of SWE’s Technical Career Path Affinity Group, including a new mentorship program helping women chart their own path as innovators, inventors, and subject matter experts.
Get involved with the SWE Technical Career Path Affinity Group: https://affinitygroups.swe.org/technical-career-path/
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The Society of Women Engineers is a powerful, global force uniting 50,000 members of all genders spanning 85 countries. We are the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering and technology. To join and access all the exclusive benefits to elevate your professional journey, visit membership.swe.org.
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The common advice for career growth is to “move up” into management — but what if your true passion lies in staying close to the technology itself?
In this episode, host Sam East speaks with Deb Whitis, Ph.D., and Amrita Maguire, both of the SWE Technical Career Path Affinity Group, about what it means to grow, lead, and make an impact as engineers while staying on the technical career path.
From developing nickel-based superalloys that power jet engines to advancing ergonomic standards and AI-enabled design, Deb and Amrita reflect on their careers and share how technical leadership can be just as influential as managing people.
They also highlight the work of SWE’s Technical Career Path Affinity Group, including a new mentorship program helping women chart their own path as innovators, inventors, and subject matter experts.
Get involved with the SWE Technical Career Path Affinity Group: https://affinitygroups.swe.org/technical-career-path/
—
The Society of Women Engineers is a powerful, global force uniting 50,000 members of all genders spanning 85 countries. We are the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering and technology. To join and access all the exclusive benefits to elevate your professional journey, visit membership.swe.org.
Ep 329: Breaking Rules and Taking Risks With Melanie Lang, CEO of FormAlloy
Diverse: a SWE podcast
19 minutes 6 seconds
3 months ago
Ep 329: Breaking Rules and Taking Risks With Melanie Lang, CEO of FormAlloy
Melanie Lang, co-founder and CEO of FormAlloy, details her entrepreneurial journey and inspires engineers to take bold risks in this episode of Diverse.
In conversation with FY26 SWE President Inaas Darrat, Melanie reflects on the pivotal decision to leave a stable career in aerospace and defense to launch her own business.
Hear the mistakes Melanie made along the way, her tips on embracing failure, the rule she wishes women engineers would break more often, and what a pink feathered sweater taught her about authenticity.
Don’t miss Melanie’s upcoming keynote at WE25, the world’s largest conference for women and allies in engineering, which takes place Oct. 23-25 in New Orleans: we25.swe.org
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The Society of Women Engineers is a powerful, global force uniting 50,000 members of all genders spanning 85 countries. We are the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering and technology. To join and access all the exclusive benefits to elevate your professional journey, visit membership.swe.org.
Diverse: a SWE podcast
The common advice for career growth is to “move up” into management — but what if your true passion lies in staying close to the technology itself?
In this episode, host Sam East speaks with Deb Whitis, Ph.D., and Amrita Maguire, both of the SWE Technical Career Path Affinity Group, about what it means to grow, lead, and make an impact as engineers while staying on the technical career path.
From developing nickel-based superalloys that power jet engines to advancing ergonomic standards and AI-enabled design, Deb and Amrita reflect on their careers and share how technical leadership can be just as influential as managing people.
They also highlight the work of SWE’s Technical Career Path Affinity Group, including a new mentorship program helping women chart their own path as innovators, inventors, and subject matter experts.
Get involved with the SWE Technical Career Path Affinity Group: https://affinitygroups.swe.org/technical-career-path/
—
The Society of Women Engineers is a powerful, global force uniting 50,000 members of all genders spanning 85 countries. We are the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering and technology. To join and access all the exclusive benefits to elevate your professional journey, visit membership.swe.org.
