Cornelia Clark
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
Parents are immigrants from Europe to this country. I’m 1 of 7 children. Grew up in Northwest Suburbs most of my life. Attended public schooling. Did not participate in any engineering related high school classes. Most of my aunts and uncles are engineers. Several of them have come along me and strongly encouraged engineering. All my mom’s family (6) are engineers. Both my parents are engineers. Just because it runs in the family doesn't mean that I too was going to do it or be good at it, but it became apparent that those types of jobs were the ones that were sought and needed and females were a minority. This struck a chord with me.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
I evaluate products to national and international safety standards. There are electrical, mechanical, and personal injury safety requirements. I take an electrified product (ie household and commercial powered furnishings, fans, cubicle lights, heating elements, underfloor radiant heat cables, as some of the varieties I've actually worked with) use an appropriate standard and evaluate that product to each sentence of the standard. The results go to the client who then needs to address any issues, make modifications on the product, etc. until the product complies. The products get tested in the lab which is the final consideration on the product passing/failing. The product with all compliant results is allowed to be labeled as Certified to that standard by the organization.
3. How does STEM relate to your job?How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
One example is that I will use engineering skills in evaluating electronics circuits within these electrified products. We need to make sound engineering decisions when clients provide a variety of alternate constructions and in choosing the worst case scenarios (if there is one) to do testing. Any interpretation of the standard is made by understanding engineering concepts. The products themselves include electrical devices for which there is a need to understand engineering concepts.
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?
In the area I work with, I found that there are both kinds of people. There are some men that admire women who took on the challenge and became an engineer. Then I've also worked with men that were looking for a second opinion other than mine. I didn't mind and didn't take offense. My suggestion to woman is to prove yourself capable and not mind being challenged this way. Take it gracefully and show humbly that this position is something that you enjoy doing and have your heart in. You can help those around you not to stereo type.
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?
Best is to work with many different kinds of people who are doing the same thing that I’m doing. This way you can work together and figure things out from different perspectives. The worst is when time goes by and you have not received proper training in an area, but are expected to understand what is being asked. I wish that there is a mentor/protege relationship throughout career.
6. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
I’m married and have 3 children. Since I had my first child, I reduced work hours to do only part-time employment. Working from home is also made available when needed (appointments at Dr, car, etc.). This is a big plus. A big factor in this was that my manager admired my work ethics and this gave them a very easy decision to allow me to work in a modified schedule than full-timers. If you can get your manager to appreciate you, then they will probably try to do anything they can to help you out with personal scheduling as the job permits.
7. What do you define success as?
Accomplishing your personal goal. Do not compare salaries or situations with others. Make a small attainable goal. Once reached you feel successful. I feel that I worked my hardest and best with what I knew. Those around will also notice and this gave me a sense of accomplishment as well.
8. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Integrity
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 uncle, an EE also, was my greatest encourager. He put a light on this career field that made it seem so enjoyable. He showed how you can take the ordinary situations of the job and make it an adventure. He took interest in other people along the way and this helped make the environment pleasant. You find out people are people just like you…and many of them can be great resources.
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?
Do your job/responsibility well. I would tell myself not to be afraid to ask questions. Don’t fear the unknown and that there are people who can help.
Parents are immigrants from Europe to this country. I’m 1 of 7 children. Grew up in Northwest Suburbs most of my life. Attended public schooling. Did not participate in any engineering related high school classes. Most of my aunts and uncles are engineers. Several of them have come along me and strongly encouraged engineering. All my mom’s family (6) are engineers. Both my parents are engineers. Just because it runs in the family doesn't mean that I too was going to do it or be good at it, but it became apparent that those types of jobs were the ones that were sought and needed and females were a minority. This struck a chord with me.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
I evaluate products to national and international safety standards. There are electrical, mechanical, and personal injury safety requirements. I take an electrified product (ie household and commercial powered furnishings, fans, cubicle lights, heating elements, underfloor radiant heat cables, as some of the varieties I've actually worked with) use an appropriate standard and evaluate that product to each sentence of the standard. The results go to the client who then needs to address any issues, make modifications on the product, etc. until the product complies. The products get tested in the lab which is the final consideration on the product passing/failing. The product with all compliant results is allowed to be labeled as Certified to that standard by the organization.
3. How does STEM relate to your job?How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
One example is that I will use engineering skills in evaluating electronics circuits within these electrified products. We need to make sound engineering decisions when clients provide a variety of alternate constructions and in choosing the worst case scenarios (if there is one) to do testing. Any interpretation of the standard is made by understanding engineering concepts. The products themselves include electrical devices for which there is a need to understand engineering concepts.
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?
In the area I work with, I found that there are both kinds of people. There are some men that admire women who took on the challenge and became an engineer. Then I've also worked with men that were looking for a second opinion other than mine. I didn't mind and didn't take offense. My suggestion to woman is to prove yourself capable and not mind being challenged this way. Take it gracefully and show humbly that this position is something that you enjoy doing and have your heart in. You can help those around you not to stereo type.
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?
Best is to work with many different kinds of people who are doing the same thing that I’m doing. This way you can work together and figure things out from different perspectives. The worst is when time goes by and you have not received proper training in an area, but are expected to understand what is being asked. I wish that there is a mentor/protege relationship throughout career.
6. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
I’m married and have 3 children. Since I had my first child, I reduced work hours to do only part-time employment. Working from home is also made available when needed (appointments at Dr, car, etc.). This is a big plus. A big factor in this was that my manager admired my work ethics and this gave them a very easy decision to allow me to work in a modified schedule than full-timers. If you can get your manager to appreciate you, then they will probably try to do anything they can to help you out with personal scheduling as the job permits.
7. What do you define success as?
Accomplishing your personal goal. Do not compare salaries or situations with others. Make a small attainable goal. Once reached you feel successful. I feel that I worked my hardest and best with what I knew. Those around will also notice and this gave me a sense of accomplishment as well.
8. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Integrity
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 uncle, an EE also, was my greatest encourager. He put a light on this career field that made it seem so enjoyable. He showed how you can take the ordinary situations of the job and make it an adventure. He took interest in other people along the way and this helped make the environment pleasant. You find out people are people just like you…and many of them can be great resources.
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?
Do your job/responsibility well. I would tell myself not to be afraid to ask questions. Don’t fear the unknown and that there are people who can help.
