A woman should study engineering at a women's college because the atmosphere is ideal for encouraging creative solutions to relevant issues in the world today. Women at SBC gain confidence in their engineering skills and ideas in a competitive but comfortable setting.

Co-op Positions and Research Experiences: Areva, Lynchburg VA and NASA Wallops Space Flight Center, Wallops, VA

Christina graduated from Sweet Briar with majors in Engineering Science and Physics. She is currently a graduate student in the Mechanical Engineering program at the University of Virginia

Ever since I can remember I have been an engineer, whether taking apart a broken sewing machine, fixing it and putting it back together at the age of 6, or being a nationally certified armourer for fencing and fixing both weapons and machines. I came to Sweet Briar because of its small size and the opportunities it offered. For such a small school they had everything I wanted, engineering, computer science and fencing.

Co-op Position and Research Experience: Flowserve, Lynchburg VA

Kaelyn graduated from Sweet Briar with majors in Engineering Science and Physics. She is currently a graduate student in the Electrical Engineering program at University of California - Santa Cruz, go banana slugs!

I enjoy traveling, riding horses, reading, and any activity outdoors.  I double majored in engineering and mathematics.  I chose Sweet Briar for the attention that a small school provides and the help and encouragement that I receive daily from the professors.  One aspect of engineering that I particularly enjoy is the workmanship and communication skills.  I have been blessed with talents of good group dynamics and math skills that I want to, in turn, give back to others.  I like collaborating with other people and teammates to build designs and work on problems.

Co-op Position and Research Experience: Snyder Langston, Irvine, CA  

Sarah is currently a graduate student at the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College.

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be an engineer. When I was young I would take things apart and try to see how they work…then try to put them back together before my mom found out. Middle school was my first opportunity to take an engineering related class from then on I started taking as many as I could. I came to Sweet Briar because I saw the unlimited possibilities the program presented. I also discovered the Outdoor Program Sweet Briar has and wanted to become an instructor. The summer after my freshman year I had an internship with Truland Systems Corporation in Richmond, VA.

I double majored in Engineering Science and Environmental Science. I was active in the Sweet Briar Outdoor Program, a member of the Sweet Briar Physics and Engineering Society, and a member of Society of Women Engineers.

Co-op Position and Research Experience: Truland Systems, Reston, VA

Amanda is currently an environmental engineer at Straughan Environmental Service in Maryland.

As a girl born and raised in California, a small womens school in Virginia was the last place I imagined my self going to college.  But, after visiting, completing my freshman year, I couldn't imagine my self any where else.  I chose Sweet Briar College for a few reasons, mainly academics and riding.  The small classes and one on one attention is great, especially for this major. Our program is broad based, and offers things you can't find anywhere else.  I have also been riding since I was very young and Sweet Briar's excellent riding program was a huge draw.  The combination of these two things plus a great setting and beautiful campus moved Sweet Briar right to the top of my list.

Co-op Position and Research Experience: Center for Advanced Engineering and Research (CAER), Lynchburg, VA

Lauren graduated with a degree in Engineering Management and is currently at the National Ground Intelligence Center in Charlottesville, Virginia.

I am from the Virgin Islands. I came here because of the small environment, the one-on-one time you get with the teachers and the riding program. In the engineering program I have had so much hands-on work. The environment in which you live and learn is really unique here. I have really enjoyed myself. You really work here, but they make it possible.

Co-op Position and Research Experience: Design of a Six Degree of Freedom Robot, w/Prof. Pierce, Sweet Briar

I am an Integrated Engineering Management major. Sweet Briar was my first choice due to the small classes and individualized education. “You’re not just a number here; teachers and faculty really care about you.” My mother’s a math teacher and my uncle is a chemical engineer…my choice of major seemed a natural fit. “I just thought, what can’t you do with a background in Engineering and Business?” And with sports, clubs, class, and the definite lack of sleep, I have come to the conclusion that if it’s not a challenge, it’s probably not a course at Sweet Briar (stated as she walks to Guion, coffee in hand).

Co-op Position and Research Experience: Energy Audit of Sweet Briar Buildings - Toward a More Sustainable Campus, w/Prof. Sanadgol, Sweet Briar, VA

I double majored in Integrated Engineering & Management and Business Management.  I'm one of those locals, originally from Madison Heights, so I've grown up knowing about Sweet Briar College.  I absolutely love the fact that Sweet Briar is a women's college and there's no boys in the classroom to distract from the learning process.  I think the women here have the chance to get down to the nitty gritty of their field of study that they would not necessarily get at a larger co-ed school, especially in the Engineering Department. 

Engineering, in general, has been a male dominated field, which is why I think it is so amazing that Sweet Briar is able to provide a remarkable opportunity for women to engage in the sciences and strive to be competitive in the real world.  To me, the program here is able to focus on the education of underclass women in engineering in a way that large state schools cannot.  Because there are only a handful of us in the engineering classes, we are able to fully understand engineering concepts.  I love getting down and dirty to experience engineering and apply the concepts we learn in all of our "hands on" activities - projects, labs, and internships.  I am also involved in engineering extracurricular activities, such as The Sweet Briar Physics and Engineering Society which integrates engineering activities outside of the classroom.  I love the other girls in the program, and I love that Sweet Briar has helped me accomplish career goals in the engineering field.

Co-op Position and Research Experience: Virginia Department of Transporation, Central Virginia

Ruth Anne is currently employed at TYCO Wireless in Lynchburg, VA.