Meet Jessica Swary - Featured YP for July, 2010

Originally from Toledo, OH (famous for Tony Packo's, Jamie Farr and the Mud Hens), Jessica moved to Chicago in 2007 to work as a Process Engineer at Middough in Oak Brook, IL. While attending college, she co-oped three times at Air Products & Chemicals and worked part-time at Pilkington. Jessica stresses to students the importance of internships during college, even to simply help determine where their interests lie for their professional career. Her favorite aspect about being an AIChE member is volunteering, particularly for events such as E-week where she gets the opportunity to teach kids of all ages about engineering. She's also enjoyed helping to organize local and national YP programming and activities (especially happy hours) and her three years of conference planning for the Midwest Regional Conference held in Chicago every fall. Below is my recent interview with Jessica:

Lowell: Where are you from?

Jessica: Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio.

Lowell: Where did you complete / are you completing your chemical engineering education?

Jessica: The University of Toledo, December 2006 (Go Rockets!)

Lowell: How long have you been a member of AIChE?

Jessica: I was a student member through college, professional member since 2009.

Lowell: What company/institution do you work for?

Jessica: Middough Inc.

Lowell: Describe a recent challenge you managed, notable achievement, or obstacle you overcame at your job or in your work as an AIChE member?

Jessica: Last year I organized a record number of meetings and activities for YPAB-Chicago, including socials, technical presentations, career development sessions and the very first YPAB House Party sponsored by AIChE National. Though, my success would not have been possible with out the encouragement and feedback from my fellow Chicago YPs.

Lowell: What do you do to meet people in your field?

Jessica: Well, YPAB of course! Being active in the local Chicago section and organizing local and national YP activities has afforded me the opportunity to meet lots of successful and inspiring young professionals.

Lowell: Tell us a little bit about yourself... What is one of your hobbies? How do you spend your spare time? What's your favorite place to travel? Or anything else you'd like to share...

Jessica: I have played piano since I was 10 and even taught for a few years in high school. I don't play as much as I use too, but it's always a fun way for me to relax. I love to travel too, and am particularly fascinated by an area's history. I love finding the wonderful nooks and crannies that most people don't know about. It's like finding hidden treasure.

Lowell: Where can readers ChEnect with you (other than ChEnected)?

Jessica: They can find me on LinkedIn or Facebook!

Join us in CONGRATULATING Jessica by commenting below.

Comments

Brian Daly's picture

I have to say that Jessica is one of the most active YPs that AIChE has and her work on national programming has been top notch. Congrats Jessica keep up the good fight!

Trent's picture

Congratulations, Jessica! I just had to comment on the picture. My fiance and I vacationed in Northern California (including San Francisco) a little over a month ago. Although it was not my first time, it was her first time. We loved it. Thanks for all that you do for the Chemical Engineering profession.