Caroline Graham
Interview Posted By: Ashley Smith
1. Can you tell us a little about your background? i.e. Where you grow 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 was born and raised in Topeka, Kansas. I am the third of four girls. My two older sisters have PhD’s in Social Work and in Pharmacy respectively, and I think I might join their ranks with another degree in Industrial Engineering.
I went to Vanderbilt University for my undergrad degree (Mechanical Engineering) then received a Masters from Kansas State University (Architectural Engineering).
When going touring colleges as a senior in high school, I knew that math and science were easy for me, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. When I was at Vanderbilt, I had an engineering professor ask me what I wanted to do. I had no idea. He said, do you like physics or chemistry? I said physics, and he said you should Mechanical Engineering. And so I did. Would other majors have been interesting? Probably, yes. Looking back, I think Business, Econ and Statistics would have also been very interesting and I would have done well. But I do have a tendency to build things, so engineering was probably the right path.
Was Mechanical Engineering the right choice? At the time, it was a wise choice, but it wasn’t my passion. It ended up being a great base for all the other engineering I have found myself working in and has served me well. However, it took some slight detours in trying to find a creative outlet with engineering (first through Architecture and then through Fashion Design). In my quest for creativity, I began working for a garment manufacturer designing various uniforms. I ended up in the Flame Resistant (FR) uniform market and found it to be a great blend of science and design. I also discovered the complex web that is manufacturing. It was very complicated, and intrigued me. Because of my exposure to it, I am considering going back to school for Industrial Engineering to learn more about how my work with manufacturing can be applied either to my current field (FR garments) or other fields (medicine, making efficient processes, etc)
I think I would have found my footing a lot quicker via internships and the like. I recommend lots of internships. We didn’t really have a whole of access to internships when I was in school and I didn’t really look to hard in my free time. But they help. A LOT!
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
Currently I am an Associate Project Engineer with Underwriter’s Laboratories. In this position, I help customers review and certify their product to various standards. These standards are based on different requirements set by the market’s need, such as certifying a Fireman’s uniform. It has to meet certain performance standards to ensure it will do what it is supposed to do when exposed to high temperatures, water, and flame.
I mainly talk with clients and do a whole lot of paperwork. I am able to work in the lab, testing the garments and materials, but not as often as I would like!
3. How does STEM relate to your job?How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
I use STEM EVERYDAY at work. Obviously math with testing and calculating results, but engineering in general. Engineering is the study to make things work, and make them better, and to solve problems. I am constantly improving processes, communication, noticing discrepancies in testing/results, etc. These all need to be managed and they need to be organized and solutions need to be determined. Folks outside of engineering love to hire engineers because they focus on the problem solving. That is what everyone, regardless of college major or business purpose, needs because problems are constantly popping up. How do we get from point A to point B, in an efficient way, and not spend all of our money doing so?
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?
Yes. Always. Initially I would get mad and be very aggressive and combative with team members who didn’t take me seriously or treated me poorly because I was a woman. I was definitely treated like fetching coffee was my only skill for a long time. But after a while, I saw that this wasn’t helping me or my team make any progress. I learned to wise up, and be smarter. I had to work harder than the men to show I was capable. I had to be organized and prepared for everything. I had to think about 20 steps ahead. This helps, but it’s not everything. I think the REAL way to combat this challenge is to do two things (and this applies for at work and in life in general): 1) Be nice. Period. You never know when you are going to have to talk/work with these folks again. 2) Be consistent. Show up every day with a smile, a good work ethic, and be the one who knows how to do their job well. It will take time, but folks will see you as dependable and capable, rather than just a girl.
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 of my job is knowing that in some way I am helping keep people safe. That is just a great feeling!
The worst part of my job is that it can be monotonous and in being so, mistake are made. Correct mistakes isn’t fun, especially if it involves having to ask a customer to change something on their end that you missed the first time!
I do look forward to my job because it does bring a challenge to me. I have to figure out how to solve small problems every day. It teaches me to be patient and sharp.
I would love to have the ability to have more of an effect on the industry I am working in. UL has a great reputation, but when changes are needed in a standard, it takes a long time to get it approved and into practice.
6. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
This is hard. It has taken me a while to learn, but YOU have to set the boundaries. I have worked jobs where I was working 13-15 hours a day, 7 days a week and holidays. I was allowing work to be my life. In doing so, I was grumpy, tired and depressed. I had nothing to talk about other than work. BORING! So I set limits. I set how many hours I will give to a job (at least 8/day, but obviously over time is needed occasionally), and I don’t stress that everything isn’t done at the end of the day. It’ll be there tomorrow. I can work on it then!
Also, I have found having a life outside of work is key. A lot of kids out of school expect work to be like an extension of college life where you work and play together. I’m not saying this can’t be done, but sometimes space/time away from each other is a good thing! I eventually found that having a life separate of work and work people is healthy for the work relationships and gives me something to focus on when work is driving me mad. It’s also a great reason to end the day at a certain time and say, I’ve got to go do XYZ. I’ll see you tomorrow.
7. What do you define success as?
I define success as seeing what you have and what you are doing as enough, seeing it as fulfilling, and being grateful for all that it is.
I see many folks who constantly want more, and I think they have so much! They do so much! But somehow it’s never enough (money, recognition, power, etc).
I feel folks who do great work, but they are always thinking another job will give them more purpose. It very well may! But I think you hit a certain point where you realize that a job is a job. You get paid for a reason. It’s work. And it isn’t always fun or fulfilling. There will always be some downs to the ups.
I see folks who aren’t grateful for their job or their paycheck or whatever. I want to say, you have obviously never had a really bad boss or a really bad paycheck or a really bad work environment. It can always be worse. But you don’t know that until you live it. If you’re miserable doing something, you should leave. You won’t realize a brighter future until you do, and you won’t see what a blessing the ‘bad’ experience was until it’s over.
8. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Accountability/Making mistakes. If you own up to what you do right and what you do wrong, you’ll earn a lot of life education, credibility, trust, and a fantastic point of view.
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?
Several! First I would find someone in the office that I respected in several ways and try to mimic them. I didn’t actually realize I could ask these ‘idols’ questions until I was older. I would say my first actual mentor was a few years ago. She was the first woman I’d ever met who had been in the business and hadn’t let anyone break her spirit. Still bubbly, still nice, still doing a great job. So I started asking her similar questions to what you are asking me now. She filled me in. It was great! Now I find it easier to ask anyone who I find impressive questions. I ask them how, why, etc. It never hurts to ask! And they are always more than happy to answer. Their responses give me great perspective, and provide the feedback I am needing at that moment for whatever issue I am having.
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?
Best advice: If you had to do it for free, would you?
Advice to younger self: It’ll all work out. Don’t be afraid to take chances. If you mess up, so what!
Advice to you: It’ll all work out. Don’t be afraid to take chances. Don’t let money be your deciding factor, let the experience you could gain guide your choices. If you mess up, so what! If you never take the chance, you’ll never know. And you’ll have a great story to tell to anyone who asks how you got to where you are today. J
I was born and raised in Topeka, Kansas. I am the third of four girls. My two older sisters have PhD’s in Social Work and in Pharmacy respectively, and I think I might join their ranks with another degree in Industrial Engineering.
I went to Vanderbilt University for my undergrad degree (Mechanical Engineering) then received a Masters from Kansas State University (Architectural Engineering).
When going touring colleges as a senior in high school, I knew that math and science were easy for me, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. When I was at Vanderbilt, I had an engineering professor ask me what I wanted to do. I had no idea. He said, do you like physics or chemistry? I said physics, and he said you should Mechanical Engineering. And so I did. Would other majors have been interesting? Probably, yes. Looking back, I think Business, Econ and Statistics would have also been very interesting and I would have done well. But I do have a tendency to build things, so engineering was probably the right path.
Was Mechanical Engineering the right choice? At the time, it was a wise choice, but it wasn’t my passion. It ended up being a great base for all the other engineering I have found myself working in and has served me well. However, it took some slight detours in trying to find a creative outlet with engineering (first through Architecture and then through Fashion Design). In my quest for creativity, I began working for a garment manufacturer designing various uniforms. I ended up in the Flame Resistant (FR) uniform market and found it to be a great blend of science and design. I also discovered the complex web that is manufacturing. It was very complicated, and intrigued me. Because of my exposure to it, I am considering going back to school for Industrial Engineering to learn more about how my work with manufacturing can be applied either to my current field (FR garments) or other fields (medicine, making efficient processes, etc)
I think I would have found my footing a lot quicker via internships and the like. I recommend lots of internships. We didn’t really have a whole of access to internships when I was in school and I didn’t really look to hard in my free time. But they help. A LOT!
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
Currently I am an Associate Project Engineer with Underwriter’s Laboratories. In this position, I help customers review and certify their product to various standards. These standards are based on different requirements set by the market’s need, such as certifying a Fireman’s uniform. It has to meet certain performance standards to ensure it will do what it is supposed to do when exposed to high temperatures, water, and flame.
I mainly talk with clients and do a whole lot of paperwork. I am able to work in the lab, testing the garments and materials, but not as often as I would like!
3. How does STEM relate to your job?How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
I use STEM EVERYDAY at work. Obviously math with testing and calculating results, but engineering in general. Engineering is the study to make things work, and make them better, and to solve problems. I am constantly improving processes, communication, noticing discrepancies in testing/results, etc. These all need to be managed and they need to be organized and solutions need to be determined. Folks outside of engineering love to hire engineers because they focus on the problem solving. That is what everyone, regardless of college major or business purpose, needs because problems are constantly popping up. How do we get from point A to point B, in an efficient way, and not spend all of our money doing so?
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?
Yes. Always. Initially I would get mad and be very aggressive and combative with team members who didn’t take me seriously or treated me poorly because I was a woman. I was definitely treated like fetching coffee was my only skill for a long time. But after a while, I saw that this wasn’t helping me or my team make any progress. I learned to wise up, and be smarter. I had to work harder than the men to show I was capable. I had to be organized and prepared for everything. I had to think about 20 steps ahead. This helps, but it’s not everything. I think the REAL way to combat this challenge is to do two things (and this applies for at work and in life in general): 1) Be nice. Period. You never know when you are going to have to talk/work with these folks again. 2) Be consistent. Show up every day with a smile, a good work ethic, and be the one who knows how to do their job well. It will take time, but folks will see you as dependable and capable, rather than just a girl.
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 of my job is knowing that in some way I am helping keep people safe. That is just a great feeling!
The worst part of my job is that it can be monotonous and in being so, mistake are made. Correct mistakes isn’t fun, especially if it involves having to ask a customer to change something on their end that you missed the first time!
I do look forward to my job because it does bring a challenge to me. I have to figure out how to solve small problems every day. It teaches me to be patient and sharp.
I would love to have the ability to have more of an effect on the industry I am working in. UL has a great reputation, but when changes are needed in a standard, it takes a long time to get it approved and into practice.
6. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
This is hard. It has taken me a while to learn, but YOU have to set the boundaries. I have worked jobs where I was working 13-15 hours a day, 7 days a week and holidays. I was allowing work to be my life. In doing so, I was grumpy, tired and depressed. I had nothing to talk about other than work. BORING! So I set limits. I set how many hours I will give to a job (at least 8/day, but obviously over time is needed occasionally), and I don’t stress that everything isn’t done at the end of the day. It’ll be there tomorrow. I can work on it then!
Also, I have found having a life outside of work is key. A lot of kids out of school expect work to be like an extension of college life where you work and play together. I’m not saying this can’t be done, but sometimes space/time away from each other is a good thing! I eventually found that having a life separate of work and work people is healthy for the work relationships and gives me something to focus on when work is driving me mad. It’s also a great reason to end the day at a certain time and say, I’ve got to go do XYZ. I’ll see you tomorrow.
7. What do you define success as?
I define success as seeing what you have and what you are doing as enough, seeing it as fulfilling, and being grateful for all that it is.
I see many folks who constantly want more, and I think they have so much! They do so much! But somehow it’s never enough (money, recognition, power, etc).
I feel folks who do great work, but they are always thinking another job will give them more purpose. It very well may! But I think you hit a certain point where you realize that a job is a job. You get paid for a reason. It’s work. And it isn’t always fun or fulfilling. There will always be some downs to the ups.
I see folks who aren’t grateful for their job or their paycheck or whatever. I want to say, you have obviously never had a really bad boss or a really bad paycheck or a really bad work environment. It can always be worse. But you don’t know that until you live it. If you’re miserable doing something, you should leave. You won’t realize a brighter future until you do, and you won’t see what a blessing the ‘bad’ experience was until it’s over.
8. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Accountability/Making mistakes. If you own up to what you do right and what you do wrong, you’ll earn a lot of life education, credibility, trust, and a fantastic point of view.
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?
Several! First I would find someone in the office that I respected in several ways and try to mimic them. I didn’t actually realize I could ask these ‘idols’ questions until I was older. I would say my first actual mentor was a few years ago. She was the first woman I’d ever met who had been in the business and hadn’t let anyone break her spirit. Still bubbly, still nice, still doing a great job. So I started asking her similar questions to what you are asking me now. She filled me in. It was great! Now I find it easier to ask anyone who I find impressive questions. I ask them how, why, etc. It never hurts to ask! And they are always more than happy to answer. Their responses give me great perspective, and provide the feedback I am needing at that moment for whatever issue I am having.
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?
Best advice: If you had to do it for free, would you?
Advice to younger self: It’ll all work out. Don’t be afraid to take chances. If you mess up, so what!
Advice to you: It’ll all work out. Don’t be afraid to take chances. Don’t let money be your deciding factor, let the experience you could gain guide your choices. If you mess up, so what! If you never take the chance, you’ll never know. And you’ll have a great story to tell to anyone who asks how you got to where you are today. J