Julia Farber
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 grew up just outside of Detroit, Michigan. I currently work as a Senior Government Affairs Specialist at UL, Inc. (Underwriters Laboratories). My portfolio covers a variety of critical issues from energy issues to corporate sustainability to personal data management to social and environmental justice issues. I joined UL in 2009, as part of a small team recruited to launch UL Environment. My role was to manage global marketing, branding, outreach and communications for the business unit. Prior to UL, I worked as a polling analyst for the Obama for America Campaign and managed client relationships and portfolio investments at Carbonfund.org. I was also a research assistant for the Ad Council and volunteered with the William J. Clinton Foundation. I have a BA in Political Science with a minor in Environmental Studies from the University of Michigan and an MPA in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University in the City of New York. I have an avid interest in urban development and community design and STEM. In 2013, I launched a political organization to help support the city of Detroit called Detroit XPAC.
Growing up, I participated in many extracurricular activities: the Girl Scouts, Students for Environmental Leadership, B’nai Brith and attended summer camps, which all allowed me to have positive experiences outdoors. In college, I interned for the Renewable Energy Policy Project, Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) and worked for the Community Based Research Fellowship at the University of Michigan. I volunteer all the time for various groups, usually those that do work for homeless, or that clean up parks or homes, and also spent several years helping low income people file their taxes. I’ve been interested in science since I was a young girl; I had fantastic teachers who always seemed to find a way to integrate nature into our projects. Environmental STEM classes were always part of the program. Working at an engineering heavy company, it’s evident what STEM courses deliver to society.
I don’t have a traditional STEM career; I have had several careers that use my knowledge of statistics to manage research projects, but now I work in the environmental field through the standards and certification industry. My company reviews the products that are invented before they are sold in the market, and makes sure that those products meet certain standards. When I got out of college, I thought that I would work for an environmental non-profit. But, I was lucky and I met someone who was hiring at UL and who was looking for someone with an environmental background to help launch a new branch. This seemed like an incredible opportunity and I had to take it. The company where I currently work has provided me with incredible opportunities.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
My job is to work in global government affairs for an engineering services company (UL). I am the person who would reach out to government agencies or representatives if the company needs to understand a new policy or to comment on one, or to create an opportunity to work with the government. I send a lot of emails. I go to many events and I talk to people to learn more about their needs, and what I can do to help them. As part of my job, I get to support the work of our non profit and our Innovative Education Award, which is going to provide funding to organizations using the environment as a tool to teach STEM subjects.
3. How does STEM relate to your job? How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
I use earth sciences daily and a lot of statistics; I am always explaining my understanding of how the world works into simple presentations. I also evaluate policies and their impact on our company, and I need to understand how the real world application of those policies could impact our engineering based company. Meanwhile, my specialty is sustainability, so when people ask my opinion of how businesses or companies can manufacture better products, I can advise with the knowledge of how our choices impact our biomes. As part of my job, I get to support the work of our non profit and our Innovative Education Award, which is going to provide funding to organizations using the environment as a tool to teach STEM subjects.
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. I have received lots of different types of feedback over the years, some of which is directly related to being a woman in the workplace. These comments range from what they expect a young professional woman to do or be in the workplace to critiques you'd never hear about male counterparts. Take critiques seriously if they are constructive. Don't worry too much about the other stuff you hear, but always listen. Even the people who give you negative feedback are giving you feedback, which means that they care about your success and believe in you.
I’d sum up by saying this: Be bold. Be moral. Believe in yourself. Stay true to your core values. Always do what you can to show that you want other people to succeed too. And stay in your field if it’s what you believe you were meant to do. Finally, be open to lots of opportunities to use your skills. Sometimes the path won’t look like what you think it will be.
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 – Working with our non for profit and helping to spread the word about our work, and being asked to help advise and shape the direction of our investment in STEM
Worst – Small organizations can be very nimble, big organizations have a few more processes.
Look forward to – helping us achieve our mission.
6. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
I’m still figuring this out. But here’s what I’ve learned: The work will always be there. Earn your vacation but don't forget to take it.
7. What do you define success as?
Success to me comes in many forms. How I tend to look at is aligns with 1) am I happy? 2) am I healthy? 3) am I helping others achieve their goals? If I’m happy, and healthy and working to help someone else make something happen in their life, then I’m a success. But, I’m not afraid to fail temporarily. I’m not concerned about getting back up, because I will.
8. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Flexibility. A person who is flexible will bounce back when a hardship arises. If you are always thinking about ways to get to your next step and are not afraid if the step is in front of you or to the side or behind you, you’ll be successful. If you’re open to hearing what people have to say to you, and open to considering their experiences and their opinions in a respectful way, it will make you a better person and a better leader.
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?
Anyone who is willing to open their hand and give you some honest advice about your career can be your mentor. You do not need to ask that person to mentor you. There are some who will take you under their wing and teach you things; These people are your mentors. Over the years, I have had several. Probably too many to mention, but the top 3 that come to mind: Lauren Wittenberg, owner of Weiner-Wittenberg Consulting; Barb Guthrie, UL’s Chief Safety Officer and Cara Gizzi, UL’s Education, Advocacy and Outreach Director.
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?
I’ve gotten tons of advice. A lot of FANTASTIC tidbits. I think I’ve shared a lot of them already above, but to repeat some of them:
1. Maya Angelou said that “People will remember how you make them feel.” Be someone who makes someone else look forward to tomorrow.
and
2. The good news is that no one has the answers. Your life is up to you! You get to make the decisions. Your path forms as you decide. Be open to getting to the end point without picking out the exact path to get there. You're going to do great things.
I grew up just outside of Detroit, Michigan. I currently work as a Senior Government Affairs Specialist at UL, Inc. (Underwriters Laboratories). My portfolio covers a variety of critical issues from energy issues to corporate sustainability to personal data management to social and environmental justice issues. I joined UL in 2009, as part of a small team recruited to launch UL Environment. My role was to manage global marketing, branding, outreach and communications for the business unit. Prior to UL, I worked as a polling analyst for the Obama for America Campaign and managed client relationships and portfolio investments at Carbonfund.org. I was also a research assistant for the Ad Council and volunteered with the William J. Clinton Foundation. I have a BA in Political Science with a minor in Environmental Studies from the University of Michigan and an MPA in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University in the City of New York. I have an avid interest in urban development and community design and STEM. In 2013, I launched a political organization to help support the city of Detroit called Detroit XPAC.
Growing up, I participated in many extracurricular activities: the Girl Scouts, Students for Environmental Leadership, B’nai Brith and attended summer camps, which all allowed me to have positive experiences outdoors. In college, I interned for the Renewable Energy Policy Project, Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) and worked for the Community Based Research Fellowship at the University of Michigan. I volunteer all the time for various groups, usually those that do work for homeless, or that clean up parks or homes, and also spent several years helping low income people file their taxes. I’ve been interested in science since I was a young girl; I had fantastic teachers who always seemed to find a way to integrate nature into our projects. Environmental STEM classes were always part of the program. Working at an engineering heavy company, it’s evident what STEM courses deliver to society.
I don’t have a traditional STEM career; I have had several careers that use my knowledge of statistics to manage research projects, but now I work in the environmental field through the standards and certification industry. My company reviews the products that are invented before they are sold in the market, and makes sure that those products meet certain standards. When I got out of college, I thought that I would work for an environmental non-profit. But, I was lucky and I met someone who was hiring at UL and who was looking for someone with an environmental background to help launch a new branch. This seemed like an incredible opportunity and I had to take it. The company where I currently work has provided me with incredible opportunities.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
My job is to work in global government affairs for an engineering services company (UL). I am the person who would reach out to government agencies or representatives if the company needs to understand a new policy or to comment on one, or to create an opportunity to work with the government. I send a lot of emails. I go to many events and I talk to people to learn more about their needs, and what I can do to help them. As part of my job, I get to support the work of our non profit and our Innovative Education Award, which is going to provide funding to organizations using the environment as a tool to teach STEM subjects.
3. How does STEM relate to your job? How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
I use earth sciences daily and a lot of statistics; I am always explaining my understanding of how the world works into simple presentations. I also evaluate policies and their impact on our company, and I need to understand how the real world application of those policies could impact our engineering based company. Meanwhile, my specialty is sustainability, so when people ask my opinion of how businesses or companies can manufacture better products, I can advise with the knowledge of how our choices impact our biomes. As part of my job, I get to support the work of our non profit and our Innovative Education Award, which is going to provide funding to organizations using the environment as a tool to teach STEM subjects.
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. I have received lots of different types of feedback over the years, some of which is directly related to being a woman in the workplace. These comments range from what they expect a young professional woman to do or be in the workplace to critiques you'd never hear about male counterparts. Take critiques seriously if they are constructive. Don't worry too much about the other stuff you hear, but always listen. Even the people who give you negative feedback are giving you feedback, which means that they care about your success and believe in you.
I’d sum up by saying this: Be bold. Be moral. Believe in yourself. Stay true to your core values. Always do what you can to show that you want other people to succeed too. And stay in your field if it’s what you believe you were meant to do. Finally, be open to lots of opportunities to use your skills. Sometimes the path won’t look like what you think it will be.
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 – Working with our non for profit and helping to spread the word about our work, and being asked to help advise and shape the direction of our investment in STEM
Worst – Small organizations can be very nimble, big organizations have a few more processes.
Look forward to – helping us achieve our mission.
6. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
I’m still figuring this out. But here’s what I’ve learned: The work will always be there. Earn your vacation but don't forget to take it.
7. What do you define success as?
Success to me comes in many forms. How I tend to look at is aligns with 1) am I happy? 2) am I healthy? 3) am I helping others achieve their goals? If I’m happy, and healthy and working to help someone else make something happen in their life, then I’m a success. But, I’m not afraid to fail temporarily. I’m not concerned about getting back up, because I will.
8. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Flexibility. A person who is flexible will bounce back when a hardship arises. If you are always thinking about ways to get to your next step and are not afraid if the step is in front of you or to the side or behind you, you’ll be successful. If you’re open to hearing what people have to say to you, and open to considering their experiences and their opinions in a respectful way, it will make you a better person and a better leader.
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?
Anyone who is willing to open their hand and give you some honest advice about your career can be your mentor. You do not need to ask that person to mentor you. There are some who will take you under their wing and teach you things; These people are your mentors. Over the years, I have had several. Probably too many to mention, but the top 3 that come to mind: Lauren Wittenberg, owner of Weiner-Wittenberg Consulting; Barb Guthrie, UL’s Chief Safety Officer and Cara Gizzi, UL’s Education, Advocacy and Outreach Director.
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?
I’ve gotten tons of advice. A lot of FANTASTIC tidbits. I think I’ve shared a lot of them already above, but to repeat some of them:
1. Maya Angelou said that “People will remember how you make them feel.” Be someone who makes someone else look forward to tomorrow.
and
2. The good news is that no one has the answers. Your life is up to you! You get to make the decisions. Your path forms as you decide. Be open to getting to the end point without picking out the exact path to get there. You're going to do great things.