What are you doing today?

I have worked at Dow Chemical in Midland, MI for over 16 years in a variety of Supply Chain roles. Michigan Operations Purchasing was my first stop, then onto our Global Headquarters Logistics Department. After that, I held a variety of Planning roles in the Glycol Ethers Business, and now I am in Dow’s Customer Service Expertise Center.

What excites you most about the future of your professional field?

There is still so much to learn and do in both Chemistry and Supply Chain – new products, new innovations, new technologies, new techniques… The problem solving opportunities are plentiful – I think seeking improvement is part of human nature – and engineers get to be right in the middle of it all!

What personal advice would you give to high-school students considering a career in engineering?

If math is one of your better subjects, if you enjoy problem solving or puzzles, and if you like to organize people or data, you should consider a career in engineering. From my perspective, engineers are problem solvers; but as I’ve also learned, they do not sit behind drafting boards!

What was your first job after graduation, and how did it impact your career?

My first job after graduating was with Urban Science Applications in downtown Detroit. They caught my eye when I was a junior and I was determined to work for them. Whenever we had an event on campus through SEA, I made sure they were invited, I made sure I introduced myself to their representative, I made sure they knew when I was graduating, and I made sure they knew I wanted to work for them! It was a great first job and I appreciate the opportunity they gave me; however, my personal life led me to Midland and Dow Chemical.

What was your greatest experience while attending the College of Engineering here at MSU?

I can’t pick out a single event that was my greatest experience, but I was fortunate to have a fantastic Academic Advisor who really made a difference for me. She not only helped me plan my course schedule, but she encouraged me to apply for a summer internship at General Motors after my sophomore year. That experience was invaluable – I learned so much about the auto industry, people, and the workplace.

How does your profession impact people's lives?

The Chemical Industry impacts all of us on a daily basis and I am very proud to work for a leading company like Dow Chemical. The people I work with are intelligent, dedicated, and willing to extend themselves to solve problems and improve living daily.

How were you inspired to become an engineer?

My dad was a big influence for me – he recognized my potential in science and math and suggested I look into engineering. My initial 17-year-old reaction was, “An engineer sits behind a drafting board – that’s not what I want to do!” Then he told me about a friend of his who had a daughter in Engineering Arts (now Applied Engineering Sciences) at MSU and suggested I check it out when I got on campus. He was right – the blend of engineering with business was a good fit for me and has served me well.