I'm a professional engineer that came from a challenging background as a youth, but has leveraged mentors and role models to succeed in the corporate world. Just as important, I like to have fun and balance my professional life out with active hobbies and interests.
I currently lead a global business organization focusing on advanced materials which are ultimately used in extreme environments (like hot and high pressure - space shuttles, car engines, wind turbines, etc.). I had seventeen years in engineering and decided to use my knowledge in the business world. I still spend everyday discussing very technical topics and working through engineering-related, technical, and financial problems.
I initially chose STEM in high school because it was perceived to be difficult, and there wasn't anyone in my family that had gotten a technical degree (very few actually had obtained a degree, period). I originally set out to pursue nuclear engineering because I was very fascinated by chemistry and was a fan of Richard Feynman, science fiction, and stories around nuclear energy. I changed my degree field once entering school because it wasn't a busy time for nuclear engineering as a field.
I attended the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, completing dual-degrees in Chemical Engineering (BSE) and American Cultures (BA), the latter with a focus on Native American studies. After being in the professional workplace for two years, I decided to return to school and pursue/obtain a Master's Degree in Manufacturing Engineering, with a focus on Lean and Reconfigurable Manufacturing.
A typical day at work consists of business strategy discussions internal to our organization, a handful of customer interactions and meetings, and multiple 1:1 discussions with employees at all levels of our organization. Approximately 2-3 times per month, I'll travel either domestic or international to visit key customers.
I've been able to move through multiple roles in my career, and in each case my company has been fully encouraging. I've had many "careers" internal to a single employer, which is unique in today's time.
Developing and launching several products that I see on a near-daily basis, that gives me pride that I'm making a contribution to the world.
Migration into a business role has been very difficult, not having an MBA, but I've been able to leverage colleagues and most-importantly my team.
I grew up in a large family in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Both of my parents passed away when I was a child, but I was very fortunate to have a step-father that willingly became my guardian and saved my life. In current times, I have a partner and reside in Pittsburgh, PA.
Shorter-term, I'd like to gain some additional experience in a business-related field internal to my current company. Longer-term, I would like to pivot into a non-profit leadership role, potentially in the STEM field, and contribute to society outside of consumable products and technology.
Greatest influence has been my step-father, who was a professional when I was growing up, so I had a good example of how/what to do in life. My biological family has an incredible work ethic and values, but mostly work in blue collar careers.
Don't be afraid to experiment and take time determining your ultimate career path, as you don't want to end up in one that's undesirable and doesn't bring you joy!
Listening to and attending music shows, skateboarding, record collecting, reading, snowboarding, hiking, traveling around the world as much as possible.
