Best Part My favorite part of being an engineer is solving an issue or problem! Nothing is more satisfying than knowing you came up with a solid solution that helped someone. And that excitement drives you to seek it again...it's how my brain works now (always looking for solutions)!
Challenges When I went to college for my engineering degree, I was the only female in a class full of young men. It was intimidating. But I learned then that they were in there to learn (just as I was) and I quickly learned to view them as my peers, classmates, friends which helped me as I took work assignments being the only female in the group. Having learned early on to view everyone as a peer, co-worker has helped others accept me as the same. When we learn to get along knowing we have a common goal, differences between us that used to stand out, fade quickly!
My Family I am the middle daughter of five girls - I grew up with two older and two younger sisters. My parents both worked (both over 80 years old) and both worked all their adult lives (just recently fully retiring). My grandmother was also a very hard worker and took lots of pride in doing a good job every day - I like to believe I've picked up her work ethic! I am married and have two grown children (from my husband's previous marriage) and now a grandson who I adore! My husband is a self-employed contractor (working residential and commercial construction jobs) - a trade he learned from his father. And I love dogs! My newest four-legged family member is a corgi (who I named after my grandmother!).
Dreams and Goals I recently changed departments in my company so my short-term goals are to learn even more in my new position - I want to get back to the point of being the person my team can rely on for answers on various situations. Long-term goals are to hopefully retire in the next few years to enjoy some daily free time to wander nearby sites, travel a little more outside the country, learn to golf and spend more time with my family.
Inspiration My grandmother had the most influence on my life choices. When I think back on what she accomplished, it inspires me to do more! She learned to speak English on her own, she was a math whiz using just a pencil and back of a paper sack as her notepad, she always had a smile on her face and laughter ringing out, she was great at finances, she worked hard but never griped about having to work, she was a positive personality and found creative solutions to everyday "problems" around her home and work places. She continues to inspire me as I try to mimic her love and patience with my own grandson now.
Want to be an Engineer? Just do it! If you have an interest in ANY of the engineering disciplines, chase those down, research them, speak to some engineers who work in that field and then get that degree! Once you complete your degree, you will find job opportunities to do what you love to do and make money at the same time - how cool is that? There is nothing more satisfying than knowing you provided a solution to a problem that helped another person/community because you engineered your way through it! There is always room for one more engineer, let it be you!
Hobbies Hobbies, hmmm...I love to sew (I've made costumes for my nieces and now my grandson), I love to read and I especially love to go to new places (far away and nearby), I love to explore what is around me and take pictures of all these places (I have soooo many pictures)!
Additional Thoughts I'm happy to be part of this community of women inspiring our future engineers (or STEM professionals). I hope to encourage you to continue chasing your dreams...without a dream/goal, life just isn't as fun or exciting, we have to keep encouraging each other to dream BIG!