Regina J. Davis
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 actually grew up all around the country. I was born in New Hampshire but moved to Southern California, then to Europe (Belgium), to Wisconsin and then to central California which is where I went to college. I earned my BS EEE at California State University at Sacramento and went on to get my MBA at Santa Clara University. I went to work shortly after getting my BS degree at Underwriters Laboratories (UL) as an Electrical Engineer. UL was a product safety testing organization and I have spent my entire working career there in a variety of roles – engineering, engineering management, general management.
I became interested in STEM at the encouragement of a family friend when I first started college. I had always been good at and enjoyed math, however, my friend pointed out that math didn’t always provide the best of career opportunities and that engineering is really applied math.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
Having been in my career for many, many years now, my job has evolved to one of leading and managing others – many of whom are in STEM careers. Early in my work I applied engineering principles in safely science – evaluating all types of products to electrical, fire and shock hazards.
3. How does STEM relate to your job?How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
Even though my job today primarily revolves around management and business issues, since I lead and work in an organization of predominantly engineering staff using engineering principles, it is critical that I am able to understand the technical issues that the staff face and be able to “talk the talk” with the staff and with clients.
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?
As a female graduate in engineering in the early 1980’s, it was a bit of a challenge to enter a male dominated work force. I found that if I used my basic engineering skills of logic and reason, I was quickly accepted and respected by my male counterparts. Ultimately, for me, being a female also helped me develop some of my “soft skills” which allowed me to suceed in management and leadership positons. My advice for up and coming women in STEM is to always believe in themselves based on their skills and abilities. Never shy away from anything difficult or challenging – soak up those opportunities, grab them at every chance and feel free to express your opinions and thoughts, don’t hold back.
5. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
Prioritize and surround yourself with supportive and encouraging people. A spouse, family, friends. I had a family and worked hard but enjoyed every minute. Today I am thrilled to be the mother of 2 young adult daughters who excell and exceed my expectations every day.
6. What do you define success as?
Everyone defines success differently and each of us have to find our own definition. For me, it’s pride in my work, realizing that I am not perfect but that I learn and grow every day and ultimately having integrity in everything I do. I can look back on a career that spans 3 decades and say I would do it all over again, no regrets!
7. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Passion. You have to believe in yourself, believe in the work that you do and the way that you conduct yourself every day. You have to care – if you don’t all the effort in the world won’t give you satisfaction.
8. 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 first mentor was a female engineering professor that I had. She was bright, articulate and believed in herself. Later mentors included a number of my bosses, most of whom were men but always treated me with great respect. They taught me to believe in myself and to persist even when it was hard to do so.
9. 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 was to pursue my interest in math through engineering. Advice I would give to others is to pursue their passion – math, science, engineering – without regard to social stereotypes or societal norms – your passion is your gift to others and the world, use it.
I actually grew up all around the country. I was born in New Hampshire but moved to Southern California, then to Europe (Belgium), to Wisconsin and then to central California which is where I went to college. I earned my BS EEE at California State University at Sacramento and went on to get my MBA at Santa Clara University. I went to work shortly after getting my BS degree at Underwriters Laboratories (UL) as an Electrical Engineer. UL was a product safety testing organization and I have spent my entire working career there in a variety of roles – engineering, engineering management, general management.
I became interested in STEM at the encouragement of a family friend when I first started college. I had always been good at and enjoyed math, however, my friend pointed out that math didn’t always provide the best of career opportunities and that engineering is really applied math.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
Having been in my career for many, many years now, my job has evolved to one of leading and managing others – many of whom are in STEM careers. Early in my work I applied engineering principles in safely science – evaluating all types of products to electrical, fire and shock hazards.
3. How does STEM relate to your job?How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
Even though my job today primarily revolves around management and business issues, since I lead and work in an organization of predominantly engineering staff using engineering principles, it is critical that I am able to understand the technical issues that the staff face and be able to “talk the talk” with the staff and with clients.
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?
As a female graduate in engineering in the early 1980’s, it was a bit of a challenge to enter a male dominated work force. I found that if I used my basic engineering skills of logic and reason, I was quickly accepted and respected by my male counterparts. Ultimately, for me, being a female also helped me develop some of my “soft skills” which allowed me to suceed in management and leadership positons. My advice for up and coming women in STEM is to always believe in themselves based on their skills and abilities. Never shy away from anything difficult or challenging – soak up those opportunities, grab them at every chance and feel free to express your opinions and thoughts, don’t hold back.
5. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
Prioritize and surround yourself with supportive and encouraging people. A spouse, family, friends. I had a family and worked hard but enjoyed every minute. Today I am thrilled to be the mother of 2 young adult daughters who excell and exceed my expectations every day.
6. What do you define success as?
Everyone defines success differently and each of us have to find our own definition. For me, it’s pride in my work, realizing that I am not perfect but that I learn and grow every day and ultimately having integrity in everything I do. I can look back on a career that spans 3 decades and say I would do it all over again, no regrets!
7. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Passion. You have to believe in yourself, believe in the work that you do and the way that you conduct yourself every day. You have to care – if you don’t all the effort in the world won’t give you satisfaction.
8. 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 first mentor was a female engineering professor that I had. She was bright, articulate and believed in herself. Later mentors included a number of my bosses, most of whom were men but always treated me with great respect. They taught me to believe in myself and to persist even when it was hard to do so.
9. 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 was to pursue my interest in math through engineering. Advice I would give to others is to pursue their passion – math, science, engineering – without regard to social stereotypes or societal norms – your passion is your gift to others and the world, use it.