Kim Brooks
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 on the Southside of Chicago. Attended Kenwood Academy for high school. Attended Marquette University for my degree. Initially started Marquette with a major in Computer Science due to the constant threat Y2k would be a challenge to handle so programmers would be in high demand. I held a summer internship with JC Penny as a programmer and hated it so I changed my major to Electrical Engineering. I did not like the concept of sitting in front of a computer for hours programming. My dad was an engineer for the Sanitation District so he courage me to try the Electrical Engineering field since I loved math. I became interested in working for my current company ,UL, when I took a product safety class. My instructor encouraged me to pursue a career at UL and I applied. I also had a classmate employed there and gave the company rave reviews. I have not had any regrets ever since.
Started as an Entry Level Engineer and worked my way up to a management position in engineering for 5 years and current a Field Manager for 3.5 years. I have been with the company for 23 years. During my engineering career, I have had the pleasure to travel several places domestically and internationally.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
I am currently a Field Area Manager. After a product is UL approved ,the manufacturing location is inspected to make sure the product being produced is the same product UL evaluated. So I currently manage 15 staff member who work from home and live all over Illinois and Wisconsin. They are all assigned territories to cover and monitor their inspections and meet clients to resolve issues. I also teach Customer Service and Effective Communication type courses for employees at UL as a part time instructor.
3. How does STEM relate to your job? How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
I was always analytical about things growing up. Always asking the “why” questions and this drove my family crazy. I wanted to know how things worked. So the Engineering degree helped to a develop that quality even more. STEM is very prevalent at my company since UL LLC allows me to see the latest technology and learn how the products work. We had to take things a part to evaluate the construction and to determine compliance with our UL Standards. We also conduct many safety tests which also relate to STEM applications. For example we conduct testing related to mechanical or electrical hazards in normal use or abnormal use. It is really exciting to see an appliance before it hits the stores and to know we tested the product to make it safe for consumers.
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?
The main challenge was being the only girl as well as minority in some of my engineering classes in college. I was always the last person picked for the projects. Very intimidating. I would often call home in tear to gain some counsel from my dad. He was a Sanitation Engineer for the city and was the only male minority in his department. But his coworkers loved and respected him. My dad would encourage me to keep my head up high and the hard work would pay off in the end. He would say “ if you can get thru this, you will be able to survive at any company”. He was right. Working in an “all male” environment at school allowed me to be very confident in an “all male” environment at work. So I would give young women the same advice but I would also add joining female groups ( i.e. Society of Women Engineering) for a support network. This is something I wish I would have joined back then.
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
a. I had the opportunity to travel many places domestically and internationally during my career at my company.
b. When the company had seasons of reorganization, I was transferred to different Industries which gave me exposure to additional product lines and standards. Variety is always a plus when working for a company. It shows your diversity in different departments.
c. The advancement opportunities I have obtained which have allowed me to work in management for over eight years.
The worst part is when you have to fire a person in a management role. It is not a good feeling but you know it has to be done due to performance issues. If you always respect the person and stay honest with their performance, you hope the departure will open doors where they will eventually improve, succeed and be happier at a different company.
If I could change anything is have a better work life balance. It is hard for me to unplug at times.
6. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
My answer to No.5 would not give me much credibility in this area but it is work in progress. Currently I have promised myself to turn off the laptop at 4pm every Friday and to only reopen on Sunday evening to organize my week.
7. What do you define success as?
Success comes every time you accomplish a milestone ( big or small) or when you feel content with your current progress.
8. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Flexibility is a must!!!
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 dad since he taught me to never give up and encouraged me succeed in this field in my own way.
Each of my previous supervisors at the company have taught me lessons in leadership.
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?
Life will give you curve balls but don’t dodge the pitch. Swing and hit the best you can. You will lose some and you will gain some home runs but enjoy the journey.
I grew up on the Southside of Chicago. Attended Kenwood Academy for high school. Attended Marquette University for my degree. Initially started Marquette with a major in Computer Science due to the constant threat Y2k would be a challenge to handle so programmers would be in high demand. I held a summer internship with JC Penny as a programmer and hated it so I changed my major to Electrical Engineering. I did not like the concept of sitting in front of a computer for hours programming. My dad was an engineer for the Sanitation District so he courage me to try the Electrical Engineering field since I loved math. I became interested in working for my current company ,UL, when I took a product safety class. My instructor encouraged me to pursue a career at UL and I applied. I also had a classmate employed there and gave the company rave reviews. I have not had any regrets ever since.
Started as an Entry Level Engineer and worked my way up to a management position in engineering for 5 years and current a Field Manager for 3.5 years. I have been with the company for 23 years. During my engineering career, I have had the pleasure to travel several places domestically and internationally.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
I am currently a Field Area Manager. After a product is UL approved ,the manufacturing location is inspected to make sure the product being produced is the same product UL evaluated. So I currently manage 15 staff member who work from home and live all over Illinois and Wisconsin. They are all assigned territories to cover and monitor their inspections and meet clients to resolve issues. I also teach Customer Service and Effective Communication type courses for employees at UL as a part time instructor.
3. How does STEM relate to your job? How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
I was always analytical about things growing up. Always asking the “why” questions and this drove my family crazy. I wanted to know how things worked. So the Engineering degree helped to a develop that quality even more. STEM is very prevalent at my company since UL LLC allows me to see the latest technology and learn how the products work. We had to take things a part to evaluate the construction and to determine compliance with our UL Standards. We also conduct many safety tests which also relate to STEM applications. For example we conduct testing related to mechanical or electrical hazards in normal use or abnormal use. It is really exciting to see an appliance before it hits the stores and to know we tested the product to make it safe for consumers.
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?
The main challenge was being the only girl as well as minority in some of my engineering classes in college. I was always the last person picked for the projects. Very intimidating. I would often call home in tear to gain some counsel from my dad. He was a Sanitation Engineer for the city and was the only male minority in his department. But his coworkers loved and respected him. My dad would encourage me to keep my head up high and the hard work would pay off in the end. He would say “ if you can get thru this, you will be able to survive at any company”. He was right. Working in an “all male” environment at school allowed me to be very confident in an “all male” environment at work. So I would give young women the same advice but I would also add joining female groups ( i.e. Society of Women Engineering) for a support network. This is something I wish I would have joined back then.
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
a. I had the opportunity to travel many places domestically and internationally during my career at my company.
b. When the company had seasons of reorganization, I was transferred to different Industries which gave me exposure to additional product lines and standards. Variety is always a plus when working for a company. It shows your diversity in different departments.
c. The advancement opportunities I have obtained which have allowed me to work in management for over eight years.
The worst part is when you have to fire a person in a management role. It is not a good feeling but you know it has to be done due to performance issues. If you always respect the person and stay honest with their performance, you hope the departure will open doors where they will eventually improve, succeed and be happier at a different company.
If I could change anything is have a better work life balance. It is hard for me to unplug at times.
6. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
My answer to No.5 would not give me much credibility in this area but it is work in progress. Currently I have promised myself to turn off the laptop at 4pm every Friday and to only reopen on Sunday evening to organize my week.
7. What do you define success as?
Success comes every time you accomplish a milestone ( big or small) or when you feel content with your current progress.
8. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Flexibility is a must!!!
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 dad since he taught me to never give up and encouraged me succeed in this field in my own way.
Each of my previous supervisors at the company have taught me lessons in leadership.
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?
Life will give you curve balls but don’t dodge the pitch. Swing and hit the best you can. You will lose some and you will gain some home runs but enjoy the journey.
