Accomplished PUC alumna to keynote engineering open house 4/10

An accomplished engineer and the founder of the Purdue University Calumet chapter of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) will discuss her career experiences, Thursday, April 10 during the university’s annual Society of Women Engineers open house.

Kristine M. Johnson, who has held various engineering positions in industry and is co-founder of Systium Technologies in Minneapolis, Minn., will discuss, “Engineering: A Lifetime Venture,” at 4:30 p.m. in Room 150D of the campus’ Student Union & Library.

The open house is intended for all aspiring engineers, including high school students. It begins at 4 p.m. and continues until 10. Various topics about the engineering industry and local opportunities in the field will be discussed. Attendees are invited to bring their resume.

“This will be a great opportunity for would-be engineers to meet industry professionals, Purdue Calumet faculty and alumni who can help shape their careers,” Purdue Calumet Professor and Head of the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering Chenn Zhou said. “It’s not just for aspiring women engineers; it’s for anybody who wants to learn more about the exciting field of engineering and how engineers shape lives.”

After earning a degree in interdisciplinary engineering in 1978 at Purdue Calumet, keynote speaker Johnson served as a project engineer at AMOCO in Whiting and then 3M Company in St. Paul, Minn., for which she also worked as a quality assurance and technical service manager. Additionally, she has been a management consultant and marketing manager in PC applications for Intel’s Flash Memory group.

In 1997, she co-founded Systium Technologies, providing Motherboard-ready computer systems for the embedded electronics industry.

The open house schedule is as follows:

• 4:30 p.m. Keynote address
• 5:30 p.m. Refreshments/Networking
• 5:45 p.m. Seminar: Women in Engineering – transitioning from college to career
• 6:30 p.m. Life Beyond School – panel discussion with BP representatives
• 7:30 p.m. Refreshments/Networking
• 7:45 p.m. Engineering Opportunities at ArcelorMittal and elsewhere in NW Indiana
• 8:15 p.m. How to Become a Project Management Professional
• 8:45 p.m. Interviewing Tips and Resume Makeover
• 9:30 p.m. Networking

Interested individuals can register to attend or obtain additional information by phoning 219/989-2472 or 800/HI-PURDUE, ext. 2472, or by e-mailing engr@calumet.purdue.edu.

Purdue Calumet offers baccalaureate degrees in electrical, mechanical, computer and civil engineering plus a master’s degree in engineering.

News Release Date: April 2, 2008