Could you tell us about the background of your career?

While my educational background is in English focusing on Communications/Public Relations, I’ve found that my varied skillset and can-do attitude have allowed me to work in several interesting fields including temporary staffing, a hospital and now at Cobham.

What are the highlights of your career?

I started at Cobham as an Administrative Assistant within the Engineering department but within a year took a position as an Engineering Analyst. 

Why did you choose a career engineering?

Funny enough, my childhood dream was to be an astronaut. Somewhere along the way, my passions shifted to writing, which lead to my completing my degree in English instead of a STEM field.

Since graduating university in 2007, I’ve found that my career choices have been tied to engineering or science. I may have diverted form my original plan to follow in Sally Ride’s footsteps, but I’ve somehow made my own path back into the field.

What are the biggest challenges of your job?

As an Engineering Analyst, my role is a rather large balancing act of interfacing with the engineers and program managers to report how our projects are going, set up new projects for resource forecasting and to assist in continuous improvement activities. I like to say that I have fluid priorities based on each day. I love the challenge!

What are your thoughts on the importance of diversity within engineering and in the workplace?

I believe diversity in every field should be celebrated. As a mother to a wonderful little girl, I see now how having role models can really shape a child’s sense of importance and self-worth. If a child doesn’t actively see someone like them succeeding in a field they have a passion for, they may not think that achieving success within that field is possible.

Why should someone consider a career at Cobham?

The historical significance of products developed within Cobham, as well as the current efforts to keep expanding human exploration of our solar system are awesome!

What does International Women in Engineering Day mean to you?

To me, just knowing that the International Women in Engineering Day exists cements the importance of setting a good example for the little ladies out there looking to great things in the future.