What I Do I design building mechanical systems. This includes heating and cooling equipment that make spaces comfortable but also the filtration systems that help clean the air.
Why Engineering? Engineering lets me shape the world I live in. People work and live in the projects I designed. Engineering skills are needed in every city and don't tie me to a specific area.
School Days I received a bachelor's of science in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Washington.
My Day At Work I talk with other design team members: Architects, Owners, Structural Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Civil Engineers, Contractors, and Construction Team Members to integrate the systems for new buildings. We work on the building plans in three dimensional modeling programs. My daily job involves lots of communication and organizing.
Best Part The best part of being an engineer is the team problem solving. I work with some really talented people. I love learning new things from the people I work with.
Proud Moments I feel that I've positively impacted many projects over my career. I've worked on projects all over the United States. Even though I've been working from Seattle, Washington I've done projects in Oregon, California, Alaska, Idaho, Illinois, Arizona, Louisiana, and Maryland. There are probably a few others that I'm not remembering!
Challenges I wouldn't say that I've conquered challenges because it's the challenges that drive me forward and push my growth. The technical challenges require continuous education and learning. The work/life balance challenges force me to look inward and make decisions about my priorities. The challenges with co-workers make me a better communicator and encourage me to be a more empathetic person.
My Family I am married and have two cats. My immediate family lives in Seattle and I see them frequently.
Dreams and Goals Short term and long term I'd like to help my company continue to be successful. I'd also like to help inspire more young women to consider Mechanical Engineering as a career.
Inspiration My Mother and Father influenced me the most. Neither of them were college graduates but both were very smart. My Mother is a driven person with a strong work ethic. She encouraged me to find a career that would allow me to support myself financially. My Dad was a creative thinker who had ingenious solutions to all kinds of situations. He frequently was able to come up with a clever home-made fix to problems without buying expensive store-bought products.
Want to be an Engineer? Don't be intimidated by what you don't know or don't understand. Nobody understands everything. Don't be held back by fears or the need to know everything. You have the ability to learn and that is what you need to succeed. Engineering benefits from diversity; we need more representation from women and minority groups.
Hobbies I like to sketch, paint, swim, run, bike, garden, and play virtual reality games. I also love traveling and learning foreign languages.