What I Do I'm currently on Leave of Absence from the Procter & Gamble Paper Co. My husband and I are both employees of P&G and I am the trailing spouse.
Why Engineering? I was always solid in math in science. My grade school math teacher told me to be an engineer. My high school Physics teacher told me to be an engineer. My Differentials Equations professor in college told me to be an Electrical Engineer. I finally took a hint and graduated with a Structural Engineering Degree.
My Day At Work I've worked for P&G +30 years. I've spent the last +10 years in logistics; supply planning, material quality, finished goods shipments. I also ran operating departments in high speed manufacturing and I was one of the construction managers for the construction of a Paper Mill in Missouri.
Proud Moments I was the supply planner for Bounty Paper Towels. If it was on a shelf in a store, it was there because I had help make it happen.
Challenges Engineering school is hard. All your non engineering friends will be out having fun and enjoying school. You will be studying and doing homework; all the time! And on top of this challenge, I played a varsity sport for four years.
My Family I grew up in a farming community of 500. Work ethic and farming are everything. My parents didn't understand my major. They were salt of the earth people, but girls were supposed to be nurses, teachers or secretaries. They never understood when I would talk about being under so much pressure at school and later, work.
Dreams and Goals Short term, I want to go back to work. We have lived in China, Vietnam and now, Mexico. I have worked in Asia, but not Mexico. I am anxious to go back to work because I want to be a role model to my daughters (one of which wants to be an engineer) and help pay for some of their college. U.S. based educations are very expensive. Long Term; continue to build my retirement fund and be able to travel more and leave a financial legacy of my two daughters.
Inspiration My dad wanted to go to college, he didn't have the money to do this. I figured out how to make this happen for myself with money from academic and athletic scholarships.
Want to be an Engineer? Today, a woman in engineering can really find her path to financial, career and personal success. Engineering will open many doors for you. I think it is one of the wisest choices you can make for yourself.
Hobbies Being an expat has unleashed my passion to travel. I have become a great cook with an arsenal of international dishes. My home is decorated with unusually pieces from around the world. I tell my family that I am a LifeStyle Engineer; and they concur!