By Rachel Fulstone
Global Systems Performance Engineer – Terumo BCT
BS Mechanical Engineering – University of Nevada, Reno
MS Bioengineering – University of Denver
 
Like many others, I am a transplant to the Denver area.  I grew up in Las Vegas, NV and after graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno with my Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, I moved to Denver to pursue a Master of Science in Bioengineering at the University of Denver.  I graduated from DU in 2008 and started my job hunt…
 
Thanks to the unstable economy at that time, newbie engineering jobs were hard to come by.  It took me six months to be hired on at a small research and development company, and it never quite felt like the right fit.  I joined the Rocky Mountain Section of SWE to start networking.  When I received the e-mail seeking volunteers for the 2009 GESTEM event, it was a no-brainer to volunteer.  Not only was it a good cause to support but I also saw it as a potential networking opportunity for me.  After all, engineering and science-based companies from all over Denver were going to be there.  Maybe I would get lucky and meet someone that could propel me into my future career!
 
That is exactly what happened.  The group that I toured around the event was assigned to the Terumo BCT (CaridianBCT at the time) room.  I knew a little about Terumo BCT, most importantly that it is a medical device company, so this was perfect!  Throughout the course of the event, I engaged with the company volunteers to learn what each one of them did at Terumo BCT and more about the company.  I ended up exchanging contact information with one particular engineer, Lisa McMullen.  We communicated several times through e-mail and phone conversations – mostly learning more about her role and discussing my interest in working at the company.  Even though we did not have a long history, when a position became available in her group, Lisa stuck her neck out and recommended me to her boss. 
 
As they say, the rest is history!  I started in June of 2010 and have never looked back.  Terumo BCT is a great company to work for and had I not volunteered for the GESTEM event and met Lisa, I would never be where I am today.  It just goes to show you that opportunities may be hiding in unexpected places.

FY24 SWE Recognition Awards
Awards

FY24 SWE Recognition Awards

SWE Rocky Mountain Section was honored at WE24 Chicago with SWE Mission Recognition Award. Mission recognitions are for SWE Groups that embody SWE core values and demonstrate continuous improvement and growth as they work to achieve the Society’s strategic goals. 2024 SWE Mission Recognition, Silver The FY2024 awards process was updated to be the SWE…

2024 Scholarship Awards
College

2024 Scholarship Awards

Scholarship Chairs:​Sarah Green (Entering Freshmen) and Jennifer Buechler (College) The Society of Women Engineers Rocky Mountain Section awards scholarships each year to students entering college and students in college in CO & WY. These scholarships are meant to help students continue to excel and reach their educational goals. We want to give a special thank you…

2024 RMS Summit Awards
Members | Awards

2024 RMS Summit Awards

The SWE RMS Summit Awards are presented to RMS members, teams, or collegiates who have made an outstanding contribution to activities within RMS during the fiscal year. Nominees are judged based on the significance of the achievements cited on behalf of the nominee and on the contributions of the nominee to various RMS activities. RMS Summit…

2024 Spring Summit Recap
College | Prof Dev

2024 Spring Summit Recap

2024 Spring Summit Recap RMS brings you ​this one day professional development conference and awards ceremony. The 2024 Spring Summit co-hosted by Rocky Mountain Section and University of Colorado Denver Section was a great success! The theme was Empowering Possibilities – reflecting on purpose, resilience, and joy, we strengthen our connection, empowering ourselves and each other. It was…

2024 Essay Contest Results
Outreach

2024 Essay Contest Results

Essay Contest Chair:   Bomsaerah Seong The results of the 37th annual Great Women in Engineering and Science Essay Contest are in! The competition was fierce again this year with 38 entries from 9 schools in Colorado and Wyoming. A panel of volunteer judges enjoyed reviewing all of the essays. Congratulations to every entrant! The Great Women…

Awards | General | Members | Prof Dev

RMS at WE23 Los Angeles

Over 50 RMS representatives traveled to Los Angeles to attend the world’s largest conference for women in engineering and technology from October 26-28. More members joined the conference virtually. Congratulations to the 2023 award recipients. RMS was recognized for the Mission Awards. You may read more about those on the WE23 Mission Awards blog post….