What I Do I am an Engineering Manager for Verizon Wireless on the Network side. I support a seven state region (UT, ID, MT, WY, CO, KS, MO). My team and I are responsible for ensuring the right equipment is procured at the right time for the right projects in order for us to turn up service on cell towers. In addition, I have many budget responsibilities to ensure we are in alignment with our unit costs and capital commitments.
Why Engineering? I chose engineering because I liked the idea of solving problems. I specifically chose Industrial Engineering because IE is focused on process improvement and efficiency. An Industrial Engineer is trying to make things even better than how they are currently being done. IE's learn a little bit about all the different types of engineering so it makes us flexible to be able to work with all types of engineers and business managers.
School Days I did my undergrad immediately after high school and pursued my master's degree online through Purdue after I had been working for a few years. As part of my master's program, I also received a Business Management certificate from Indiana University. BS in Industrial Engineering from Montana State University - Bozeman, MT MS in Interdisciplinary Engineering with an emphasis in Engineering Management and Leadership from Purdue University - West Lafayette, IN
Best Part I like that every day brings a new challenge or problem to solve. Each day I have the opportunity to make things a little bit better and I like that challenge.
My Family My husband is also an Industrial Engineer. He works in the semiconductor industry. We met during our undergrad at Montana State. We have a cockapoo (cocker spaniel poodle mix) who loves to learn tricks and entertain us when we are not working.
Want to be an Engineer? If you are interested in Engineering, find opportunities to learn more about it now! It could be an Engineer-a-thon hosted by a local university or a Shadow an Engineer day or reaching out to engineers. I was lucky that my cousin was in the IE program before I was and she showed me so much about the potential things an engineer could do while I was in high school. It opened my eyes that an engineer could have so many different types of jobs and be in so many different businesses. Also, don't be scared about being an Engineer. Engineering is about bringing many different perspectives to the table to find the best solution for the problem. No one thinks exactly like you, so your voice matters!
Hobbies I love to read and to sing. I was involved in an a capella choir through my college days and still love to sing harmony with the radio in my car. Reading is my other favorite thing to do and the Harry Potter series is still my go to books to read.