Go STEM and go bold
Alumna delivered encouraging words to Case students tuned into the annual SWE luncheon
Nearly 80 people, mostly female science and engineering majors, Zoomed into the annual luncheon of the Society of Women Engineers during Engineers Week in February. They beamed as Hang Loi ’88 advised them to stride boldly into their chosen careers, for they were already well on their way to success.
“A STEM degree makes you market- able,” said Loi, an engineer and inventor at 3M in Minneapolis. “And being marketable is a sign of career success.”
Loi earned her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering at Case, but also a bachelor’s degree in piano through the Department of Music. While she did not go on to play professionally, she believes music lends her an edge in innovation.
“Music gave me bragging rights,” she said. “It gave me confidence that I could do something difficult.”
Loi rose through the engineering ranks at 3M, where she is the Global Supplier Relationship Manager for its consumer electronics business. In November, she was honored by the Society of Women Engineers at the WE20 Virtual Conference for two patents she recently attained for innovations to multilayer optical films.
Her luncheon address, moved online because of the pandemic, was titled “Courage and Resilience.” She urged the students to practice self-reflection and to set goals.
“If you can, really, really, really try to set 5- to 10-year goals,” she said. “Just really focus on yourself and figure out where you want to go. What do you want to achieve?”
If you’re not sure, seek advice, Loi said. Ask questions — she wishes she had asked more. Then march forward with confidence.
“The world needs more scientists and engineers,” she said.
Learn more about the CWRU chapter of the Society of Women Engineers HERE.
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