Selyn Chen
IEEE Vancouver Section,  IEEE WIE Affinity Group Chair

How did you first get involved in IEEE Women in Engineering?
When I first moved to Vancouver, I was looking for an impactful group to volunteer in. I was then introduced to the group by my Vice-Chair, Cecilia. After a detailed understanding of the group’s purpose and values, I decided to get involved in IEEE WIE. I started going to the meetings, then organizing events to meet and connect with the local communities.

Why did you decide to become a WIE member?
There are two main reasons. Firstly, after understanding the values of IEEE and WIE, I realized that it resonates with my own values too. Secondly, upon joining the group, I know that I want to contribute my skills to bring more impact to the group and society. By becoming a WIE member, I know I can be more closely connected with local and international communities.

What do you wish other people knew about IEEE WIE?

WIE are inclusive too! Men are also important in helping to support diversity in all STEM fields – be it – in their job or in their family setting. Everyone is welcome to be a WIE member, attending our events and volunteer with their local community.

What is it like to be an IEEE WIE Volunteer, and what do you enjoy about it? 
It’s highly fulfilling and fun! I enjoy talking and connecting with people. I am grateful for the unlimited opportunities given by the Vancouver Section Executives. Most importantly, we are making an impact. Connecting different individuals with important people and bringing different local groups together. Our amazing team always make impossible things possible like bringing great people from Amazon, Microsoft, SAP and many others to our events. Currently, I am building our WIE Vancouver to be a better platform to train women and all members to be successful, to learn good skills and to speak up when necessary.

Why do you feel it is important for women to enter into the field of engineering?

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples” ~ Mother TeresaI feel that women are underrepresented in the field of engineering. Here in Canada, there is only less than 13 per cent of practicing licensed engineers are women. It is very important to attract more women and retain them in the field of Engineering, so that we can assure diversity in genders, races, ages and more is always there. Diversity is the key to creativity and it is also essential to the growth of any businesses and society.Moreover, neurological research has proven that female’s brain is more capable of managing multiple tasks, flowing simultaneously and tend to remember all the details which are some essential skills in the field of engineering. Given all these advantages, more women in STEM means bigger impact in building a better world for the future generation.