Why Engineering? Nothing would have happened without the nurturing, encouragement and support of my family – I was always encouraged to learn, to excel, to reach for the stars. Education was of ultimate importance. During my formative years, my grandfather spent a lot of time with me and showered me with his intellect and wisdom. I am eternally grateful and cherish what I was given. In a nutshell, I was not a kid who was gravitated to one area. During my school days, girls who pursued science and engineering were considered “smartest”. I guess, I wanted to be smart, so I pursued science. Meanwhile I was also intrigued by seemingly the other side of the world, such as fashion, dancing, singing, … Three of my 4 academic degrees are in science – Chemistry, Liquid crystal Science, and Physical Chemistry. The exciting part was moving into engineering. In short, I was recruited by CWRU to be the first woman Ph.D. candidate in materials engineering. I informed my chemistry dissertation professor at Columbia University about my plan to transition to engineering. He said: “…Jennie, I have known so many female students, when they left here, they never finished their Ph.D.’s…you would do well after you graduate from here…” The rest is history. Having been a student in both chemistry and engineering, chemistry courses actually were quite different from those in Engineering curricula at that time. I studied very hard, all the graduate courses I took, I was able to get the top grades. With the earlier background in chemistry, I found engineering is even more interesting, particularly in the opportunities of creating things. Later on, I profoundly appreciate that the engineering training has been tremendously beneficial to every endeavor in my 40+ years career.
Best Part As an engineer, to share knowledge and views, serving as an editorial columnist for two global industry magazines, is a meaningful endeavor to me. The publications disseminate timely information to the readers who are mostly engineering-trained professionals. I have taken on this “weekend job” for 35 years, making me the longest tenured columnist for the publications. Although I have not been a full-time professor with a university, I have committed to the professional advancement teaching all along, since 1990s up to now. Over the years, I have delivered professional development courses/lectures/workshops/webinars to tens of thousands of engineers/researchers/executives in continuing professional education to the workforce. This experience has kept me interfacing with the engineering practitioners and executives, which helps me better relate the engineering education to the workforce. Teaching, like writing, has helped me develop and clarify my own thoughts, to that end it is self-fulfilling task as well.
Proud Moments In one of my engagements, the president of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) – Cleveland wrote after the event, “. Dear Dr. Hwang, I would like you to know how much I appreciate your illuminating speech at the SWE, because of this successful event, SWE plans for expanding our mentor program…. I was inspired by your journey to success. I plan to attend graduate school, most importantly, your story of balancing professional accomplishments with a rewarding personal and family life encourages me to pursue all of my dreams…” It is tremendously humbling to read this letter - from young women students. Another experience is my advisory capacity to the U.S. Defense Department’s ManTech program. In late 1980s, The Defense Department’s ManTech program set a goal to reduce the cost and to enhance the reliability of electronics weapons on a national scale. The Army Materiel Command was searching for advices covering not only scientific expertise but also the manufacturing know-how. After my first book published in 1989 related to the subject of electronics technology and manufacturing, I was invited to be an advisor to help advance the goal. Looking back, it was a very fulfilling and rewarding task. Certainly, this squarely put my engineering background to work. It was a proud moment to be elected the first woman Global President of Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA) in the mid-1990s. (As of 2022, I am still the only woman ever holds the Association’s presidency capacity.) The constituents of SMTA are largely engineering-centric companies and engineering professionals, serving the electronics manufacturing industry. The Association was founded in early 1980s to advance the critical technology that is required for making electronics hardware and connecting semiconductors to the real-world, and is the backbone technology for the miniaturization and advancement of electronics – it makes today’s electronic products possible - ranging from the personal computer in 1980s to continuous advances in smartphones to producing high performance military weaponry. It was an ebullient moment to deliver commencement speeches. In my speech at the Ohio University commencing; distill it into a few points: Keep a broad perspective to develop a world view – this is especially applicable to engineers Always acquire new knowledge and new skills, and learn fast Meet a challenge, head-on; and go for creativity and innovation Prepare to deliver more than what is expected in any task Keep in mind that best preparation for tomorrow is to do today’s work well. When an opportunity knocks on your door, you will be able to open the door. Sometimes, if a door does not exist, build a door. Success is a journey, a long, steady journey -made of many little daily victories. However, nothing can replace hard-work
Challenges If focusing on women education and workforce, the most demanding part of being a career woman is how to handle both family and a career well. But I do believe it can be done and can be done well, but not without some sacrifices. I have always been a believer to have both. I want it all. The first thing is to really think about how to use time effectively. I also learned through many encounters that there are so many different ways one can use the time. At either end of the spectrum, one can be not effective or can be very effective. It makes a difference. If a woman wants to be a mother as well as to have a successful career, the effective use of time is very important. Career is not just a job working from eight to five. A career, as with myself, the work is always with you either at your desk or in your mind. Also, we have to learn how to focus and how to prioritize. Not everything has equal importance at one time. We all “want” many things. There are more important things than others so one has to be able to separate what is more important at that particular time. For example, what is more important today or this year? So the focus and the prioritization make difference. Of course, understanding by the spouse is very helpful, and the spouse has to be in sync with your thinking and then both can work together. It is not easy, but it can be done. Over the years, very successful professional women have different views, and some believe it is almost impossible to do both well. But I happen to be on the other side of thought. I think it is possible and it is extremely rewarding to be able to do both. World has changed; it is much more accommodating for women in the workforce. And there are many opportunities. Women not using their full potential, their talents and capabilities is not the best way to manage national resources.
Inspiration In the grand scheme of things, being an engineer is to create for the betterment of the society and human life, to enable, to do, and to be a leader - Ability to lead and to inspire to get the best outcome in any environment or in any situation… Leadership has a great impact on the outcome from the War room to the Boardroom to engineering profession. There are different definitions and variations of leadership. I define leadership as the ability to influence the outcome – not necessarily to command/control. I view leadership can be learned and nurtured. Wanting to learn to be a better leader is always a rewarding experience. Winston Churchill is one of my favorite leaders of the 20th century, I am most inspired by his philosophy and wisdom. Three of favorite quotes:1.” It is no use saying, we are doing our best. You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary.” 2. “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” 3. “Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.” There are powerful words bearing deep and enduing significance.
Hobbies Personal interests include ballroom dance, singing, classic fashion, reading, investment, and international relations and world affairs.