LeVette Martin
Interview Posted By: Ashley Smith
1. Can you tell us a little about your background? i.e. Where you grew up, what education do you have, a summary of your resume, did you always want to do what you are doing now, when did you start to become interested in STEM, what internships/ volunteering
I grow up in the Chicago, Housing Authorizes, “Robert Taylor Homes”, for low income families. My surrounding was pretty rough, not at all safe and being smart was not cool. I have a Bachelor in Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE). I was one of the 1stblack females to graduate from NIU accredited Electrical Engineering program. I cooped for Illinois Department of Transportation while in college for the “Highway Lighting” department. I became interested in the STEM program via my current employer Underwrites Laboratory (UL). I volunteer for First Robotic and various Science fair for Elementary and High Schools in Illinois. I am also a volunteer math tutor for both Elementary and High School students.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
I am employed as a Senior Project Engineer for Underwrites Laboratory (UL). I’ve been employed there for over 16 years, in my current position I certify Lighting product to safety standards for various parts of the world.
3. How does STEM relate to your job? How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
Although many STEM careers are male dominate, today many traditionally male fields are actively recruiting women, which is a plus, my involvement in STEM help inspire other females to peruse a degree in Science, Technology and Engineering and Math. In my job I use a lot of circuit analyst, math and sometime physics to help figure out a design works.
4. Have you faced any discrimination/ challenges being a woman in a stem field? If so, how did you deal with it? Do you have any advice for up and coming women in STEM?
You will face gender discrimination a lot at 1st and it’s double the discrimination when you’re a black women. However, I promise you, your knowledge and passion for you field along with your zeal will shine though and speak for itself.
5. What is the best and worst part of your job? What do you look forward to in your job on a day to day basis? What do you wish you could change?
The best part about my job is evaluating new products daily; Also you are at the leading edge of technology, being one of the 1st to learn about the change in the Lighting industry. This within itself is a pleasure and its huge.
I would like to change some of our processes at my job other than that it’s good.
6. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
Just do it, I am a mother of 10 year old twins, and u have to do it, don’t think about just do it and enjoy life because its short and not promise to you.
7. What do you define success as?
Its more than money and power it’s also well-being, wisdom, respects and being able to give back. Trust me you will know once you are there.
8. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Confident
9. Who was a mentor to you throughout your career? (can be more than one!) What did they teach you? How did they impact your life?
My Friend Joe, he showed and taught me how to embrace my gift with math and physic. He change my life because where I grew up we were not taught about the different types of engineers.
10. What do you think is the best advice you've ever received? What advice would you give your younger self if you had the chance? What’s one piece of advice you can pass on to us?
The best advice I received is the more math you take in college the more money you can make. The young me I would say to her do not be ashamed or embarrass by the gift that god has giving you.
My advice to pass on to others; 1) Ask questions, the only dumb question is the question you don’t ask. 2) Don’t spend too much time turning your whiles ask questions; 3) Teach someone else and 4) Take other classes and learn about other things.
I grow up in the Chicago, Housing Authorizes, “Robert Taylor Homes”, for low income families. My surrounding was pretty rough, not at all safe and being smart was not cool. I have a Bachelor in Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE). I was one of the 1stblack females to graduate from NIU accredited Electrical Engineering program. I cooped for Illinois Department of Transportation while in college for the “Highway Lighting” department. I became interested in the STEM program via my current employer Underwrites Laboratory (UL). I volunteer for First Robotic and various Science fair for Elementary and High Schools in Illinois. I am also a volunteer math tutor for both Elementary and High School students.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
I am employed as a Senior Project Engineer for Underwrites Laboratory (UL). I’ve been employed there for over 16 years, in my current position I certify Lighting product to safety standards for various parts of the world.
3. How does STEM relate to your job? How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
Although many STEM careers are male dominate, today many traditionally male fields are actively recruiting women, which is a plus, my involvement in STEM help inspire other females to peruse a degree in Science, Technology and Engineering and Math. In my job I use a lot of circuit analyst, math and sometime physics to help figure out a design works.
4. Have you faced any discrimination/ challenges being a woman in a stem field? If so, how did you deal with it? Do you have any advice for up and coming women in STEM?
You will face gender discrimination a lot at 1st and it’s double the discrimination when you’re a black women. However, I promise you, your knowledge and passion for you field along with your zeal will shine though and speak for itself.
5. What is the best and worst part of your job? What do you look forward to in your job on a day to day basis? What do you wish you could change?
The best part about my job is evaluating new products daily; Also you are at the leading edge of technology, being one of the 1st to learn about the change in the Lighting industry. This within itself is a pleasure and its huge.
I would like to change some of our processes at my job other than that it’s good.
6. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
Just do it, I am a mother of 10 year old twins, and u have to do it, don’t think about just do it and enjoy life because its short and not promise to you.
7. What do you define success as?
Its more than money and power it’s also well-being, wisdom, respects and being able to give back. Trust me you will know once you are there.
8. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Confident
9. Who was a mentor to you throughout your career? (can be more than one!) What did they teach you? How did they impact your life?
My Friend Joe, he showed and taught me how to embrace my gift with math and physic. He change my life because where I grew up we were not taught about the different types of engineers.
10. What do you think is the best advice you've ever received? What advice would you give your younger self if you had the chance? What’s one piece of advice you can pass on to us?
The best advice I received is the more math you take in college the more money you can make. The young me I would say to her do not be ashamed or embarrass by the gift that god has giving you.
My advice to pass on to others; 1) Ask questions, the only dumb question is the question you don’t ask. 2) Don’t spend too much time turning your whiles ask questions; 3) Teach someone else and 4) Take other classes and learn about other things.