An introspective of the 2024 International Symposium: An unforgettable learning opportunity of the impact of advocacy

By Victoria Patterson , Systems Engineer, Northrop Grumman, Space Systems, INCOSE LA 2024 Secretary and INCOSE EWLSE Co-Chair Americas Sector

Sometimes I scare people with my enthusiasm for engaging with strangers and for my resiliency. When I received all three approvals that I needed to attend the 2024 INCOSE’s International Symposium, my palms were sweaty, and my heart was racing. I was ecstatic to have this opportunity to attend an event that happens once a year where over a thousand brilliant and intelligent individuals from all around the world come together to learn, to share, to connect, to reconnect, and, most importantly, to hold intriguing dialogs and in-depth discussions on future engineering and societal challenges we aim to overcome.

I not only needed to be a self-advocate for myself, but also realized the importance of doing so for others. As it was getting closer to the conference, my excitement suddenly turned into a nauseous feeling in the root of my stomach. I was about to step outside of my comfort zone in many ways all at once. I have spoken in front of large crowds before; however, this trip was going to be different; it was going to be my first time flying outside of my country and speaking in front of INCOSE’s diverse audience of well-respected and experienced system engineers. The irony was that the subject centered on the importance of understanding the intricate and complex nature of the relationships that organizational culture has in the development and success of systems engineer leaders, which is a subject that I am still learning so much about with each interaction.

This panel taught me the importance of restoring our energy individually, so that we can accomplish our goals collectively. This year was especially challenging to obtain the resources required for travel, let alone international travel. My involvement and association with my local INCOSE chapter, the larger community of INCOSE, and home organization was the catalyst in my pursuit of accomplishing my goal of speaking internationally at a Systems Engineering Conference.

Throughout the session, I was hyper-engaged and present, so much so that I almost forgot about how hot the stage lights were beaming down at us. We had several in-person questions and discussions with the audience members that made a lasting impression on me, which would not have happened otherwise. It was truly an unforgettable experience, especially because this hybrid event was held in the lively and majestic yet quaint cobblestone streets of Dublin, Ireland, in Europe.

I found myself far away from home and my comfort zone, yet feeling like I belonged and I was right where I was supposed to be, thanks to the leaders in INCOSE’s Empowering Women Leaders in Systems Engineering Initiative (EWLSE) Group, Dr. Alice Squires, Javier Calvo-Amodio, Anabel Fraga, and Stueti Gupta, as well as my supportive local INCOSE chapter. ?I would also like to thank my home organization for advocating for me.

To read this article and more, check out the INCOSE Q3 Members Newsletter!

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