When did your love of STEM begin?

I was always a naturally curious person; I like to understand how things work the way they do, and why. I am also the youngest of four, and my siblings were all enthusiastic about math and science. My parents did a wonderful job in encouraging our curiosities, never providing the answers, but buying the appropriate encyclopedias so that my siblings and I can look for them ourselves. Chemistry was always my favorite of the sciences, and as I grew older and learned more advanced topics, I found that my curiosities and interests were most satisfied by the studies of physical chemistry and materials science and engineering. The real, "secret" answer is a fascination with potion brewing, which naturally led to a love of chemistry.

What is the best part about working in the field of STEM?

The pace and phenomenal growth opportunities, as well as the exposure to all the newest, cutting edge technologies and developments in the industry. I work in a very competitive automotive field, and there are always companies and individuals pushing to produce the highest quality product faster and more cost-effective than the others. One must always be innovative, entrepreneurial, and a little aggressive in order to have the edge over the competition.

What advice would you give to young women considering a career in STEM?

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. We’re often penalized more for our mistakes, however, mistakes are teachers, and every miss is a learning opportunity. Never shrink yourself for someone else’s comfort, and always keep a curious, open mind.