I supervisor the operations of the oil unloading and loading into and out of a soybean oil facility and the wastewater operations. This includes supervising six operators, all male, controlling some of the logistical operations and designing and executing projects in my department.

I liked chemistry and math in high school. At first I wanted to be a chemist and started going to college for chemistry, but then I found that chemical engineering wouldn't keep me stuck in a laboratory all day so I changed and I think I really found my niche.

The main part of my day is spent supervising my team to ensure that quality and production needs are met. I also work with other engineers, sales people, chemists and logistics managers to better our product and provide the best services to our customers.

I think the best part is seeing my team succeed and breaking records together. I love working as a team on "bigger picture" items. I also love designing new systems, my favorite part of doing a project is seeing the finished product and knowing that I designed it.

Graduating with honors from college

I think the biggest challenge I have faced is becoming a supervisor. I have to be more mature than my subordinates. I must stop squabbles and try to keep the peace between them. I have to always encourage them to keep trying their best, and the most difficult is disciplining someone when they don't perform.

I am single, but am not against having a family, I just dont know if I'll have time.

Short-term, I want to learn as much as I can about being an engineer in this company. Long- term, I want to have a successful career and maybe a husband and children

My mom has a great influence over me. I see her as a strong independent woman who can fully support herself and I feel that independence is my first goal to achieve as an adult.

I used to love hiking in my hometown, but now that I live in eastern North Carolina I dont have many places to hike, but I do like going to the beach and kayaking in the ocean and rivers nearby.

It's not an easy career, and it's not for everyone. Most careers in engineering are very time intensive. Very few engineers work 40 hours weeks or less. However, it is exciting and rewarding when you see your designs and hard work realized. I think it's worth it (most days).

Montana State University B.S. in Chemical Engineering