What I Do I have been in the telecommunications industry for over 20 years. I have worked for large corporations as well as small start up companies. The majority of my telecom career has been focused around fiber and transport engineering. I now am a program manager on a team that supports the nationwide network build program at Verizon Wireless. I focus on data reporting and anlytics, standard processes and best practices. My job is to help bring different departments together to obtain one goal.
Why Engineering? I chose engineering because I truly enjoyed studying math and science. Building and tinkering with things was always a part of who I was. I chose Industrial Engineering because I wanted to help make a better and more efficient work environment for people. Even though I deviated from a classic industrial engineering role, the process and efficiency lessons I learned have been invaluable.
School Days I received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology now known as South Dakota Mines.
Best Part The best part of being around engineers is learning from each other and being part of a collaborative effort to accomplish tasks or goals.
Challenges There are many challenges when you are an engineer. Being an engineer means you are always looking for a way to fix a problem or build something and do it in a short time frame with little money. That is every day for an engineer. When I went to college the male to female ratio was 9:1. Girls didn't necessarily go to engineering school and we had to prove ourselves. I always knew I'd be one of a few women working with mostly men. My biggest challenges revolved around proving my worth to others by showing them I was smart and that I work hard.
My Family I am raising a teenage daughter, a havanese dog and a beta fish. We are incredibly close to my mother and sister who live near by.
Want to be an Engineer? Going into an engineering program puts so many opportunities in front of you even if it isn't the classical definition of an engineer. Employers know engineers have the ability to learn, think logically, identify and solve problems. You have multiple paths you can take in your career. Do not be imtimidated by being a female in a male dominated world. That is constantly improving. Females can provide a different perspective on situations and this can be a very powerful value add.
Hobbies I think it is important to keep the creative side of your brain lit up when you work in an environment with numbers and technology all day. I like to read mysteries and thrillers, complete DIY home projects, draw, journal and listen to music. Taking my daughter to see bands perform has been one of the great ways we bond. She gets a taste of my music and I am exposed to her music. We also enjoy seeing broadway shows and plays together. I also like to travel, hike and take my dog for walks.