Kim Dempsey
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 in Wantagh, NY on Long Island. I grew up near the ocean and my family had a boat – as a kid, most of my summer weekends were spent on the water with my family. After High School, I was initially interested in pursuing a career in Nursing but my path changed. (This sometimes happens!) I finished my Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts and started working in the Human Resources (HR) field for a technology services company, which happens to still be my current employer. My employer encouraged me to go back to school; which I did in the evenings, while working full-time during the day. After several years, a marriage, a house, and a baby… I graduated with a BS in Organizational Management. My degree is very HR related. My studies focused mostly on Business Management and Organizational Development. My interest in supporting STEM education efforts really “stems” from the business I work in. My profession is HR, but I work for and support a company that employs highly sought after STEM professionals. As an HR manager, talent acquisition and employee development is a big focus for me! So while my education is not in a STEM field, I truly understand the importance of STEM educational efforts and have a hand in assisting with the careers of many technical professionals. Additionally, in my current role, I am able to support various community based STEM efforts. On a personal level, I have also volunteered as a troop leader for the Girl Scouts of America for four-years.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
I am currently the HR Manager for UL’s (Underwriters Laboratories) US East Coast HR Operations team. In my role, I work as part of a global HR team– as we support multiple product testing laboratories and office locations. In Human Resources, we focus on the process of hiring and developing talent. At UL, I get to work with extremely talented people, many of whom work in STEM professions. I support and interact daily with Engineers, Chemists, Technicians and other professionals in the STEM fields. In my role it is important for me to have an understanding of their roles, responsibilities and the challenges they face. In Human Resources we work on many projects that help support the culture of our company and keep us current with the needs of the STEM job market.
3. How does STEM relate to your job?
STEM relates to my job in many ways. I need to be able to recruit, retain and develop professionals in STEM fields. I need to stay current with market trends in talent acquisition and be able to meet our staffing needs. I also understand the need for future generations to pursue careers in STEM. As the millennial generation enters the workforce, and our large baby-boomer generation exits – there will be a need for qualified professionals to compensate for this knowledge loss. As our world has changed over time to one deeply entrenched in technology – the competition for STEM talent only gets more important. I also work with various local universities and colleges that focus on STEM education, as UL employs many new graduates each year. I speak with college students and recent graduates in STEM fields almost on a daily basis!
4. Do you have any advice for up and coming women in STEM?
I think there is so much opportunity for women in STEM fields. Over my career I can honestly say I see many more women taking this once non-traditional career route. I would recommend that women pursuing degrees in STEM fields get involved in various campus and professional societies. There are many campus clubs, where you will be able to network and meet others with similar career goals. As you progress into the workplace, the networking and connections you make with people in your field can prove to be invaluable. Start networking early and often! You should also consider pursuing internships during your college experience. Employers are looking for graduates with the technical know-how – but also those that can reflect on different experiences they have had, and those that demonstrate an overall commitment to their field. When you get to the workplace – the ability to collaborate and work with people and teams is extremely important.
5. What do you define success as?
Success is only for a moment. The ability to sustain success is the key! I think we should each celebrate our victories and always be working towards our next success.
6. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
The ability to LISTEN. I don’t mean this in just the “hearing/auditory” sense. When you take the time to really understand what someone is telling you, you can more effectively solve an issue or offer advice. When you are a “listener” you will build relationships and become more educated about situations happening around you. You will be able to formulate your responses while taking into account the facts of the situation, along with the feelings of people. Developing positive relationships with peers is very important, after all, human beings are still behind all of the technology in this world!
I grew up in Wantagh, NY on Long Island. I grew up near the ocean and my family had a boat – as a kid, most of my summer weekends were spent on the water with my family. After High School, I was initially interested in pursuing a career in Nursing but my path changed. (This sometimes happens!) I finished my Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts and started working in the Human Resources (HR) field for a technology services company, which happens to still be my current employer. My employer encouraged me to go back to school; which I did in the evenings, while working full-time during the day. After several years, a marriage, a house, and a baby… I graduated with a BS in Organizational Management. My degree is very HR related. My studies focused mostly on Business Management and Organizational Development. My interest in supporting STEM education efforts really “stems” from the business I work in. My profession is HR, but I work for and support a company that employs highly sought after STEM professionals. As an HR manager, talent acquisition and employee development is a big focus for me! So while my education is not in a STEM field, I truly understand the importance of STEM educational efforts and have a hand in assisting with the careers of many technical professionals. Additionally, in my current role, I am able to support various community based STEM efforts. On a personal level, I have also volunteered as a troop leader for the Girl Scouts of America for four-years.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
I am currently the HR Manager for UL’s (Underwriters Laboratories) US East Coast HR Operations team. In my role, I work as part of a global HR team– as we support multiple product testing laboratories and office locations. In Human Resources, we focus on the process of hiring and developing talent. At UL, I get to work with extremely talented people, many of whom work in STEM professions. I support and interact daily with Engineers, Chemists, Technicians and other professionals in the STEM fields. In my role it is important for me to have an understanding of their roles, responsibilities and the challenges they face. In Human Resources we work on many projects that help support the culture of our company and keep us current with the needs of the STEM job market.
3. How does STEM relate to your job?
STEM relates to my job in many ways. I need to be able to recruit, retain and develop professionals in STEM fields. I need to stay current with market trends in talent acquisition and be able to meet our staffing needs. I also understand the need for future generations to pursue careers in STEM. As the millennial generation enters the workforce, and our large baby-boomer generation exits – there will be a need for qualified professionals to compensate for this knowledge loss. As our world has changed over time to one deeply entrenched in technology – the competition for STEM talent only gets more important. I also work with various local universities and colleges that focus on STEM education, as UL employs many new graduates each year. I speak with college students and recent graduates in STEM fields almost on a daily basis!
4. Do you have any advice for up and coming women in STEM?
I think there is so much opportunity for women in STEM fields. Over my career I can honestly say I see many more women taking this once non-traditional career route. I would recommend that women pursuing degrees in STEM fields get involved in various campus and professional societies. There are many campus clubs, where you will be able to network and meet others with similar career goals. As you progress into the workplace, the networking and connections you make with people in your field can prove to be invaluable. Start networking early and often! You should also consider pursuing internships during your college experience. Employers are looking for graduates with the technical know-how – but also those that can reflect on different experiences they have had, and those that demonstrate an overall commitment to their field. When you get to the workplace – the ability to collaborate and work with people and teams is extremely important.
5. What do you define success as?
Success is only for a moment. The ability to sustain success is the key! I think we should each celebrate our victories and always be working towards our next success.
6. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
The ability to LISTEN. I don’t mean this in just the “hearing/auditory” sense. When you take the time to really understand what someone is telling you, you can more effectively solve an issue or offer advice. When you are a “listener” you will build relationships and become more educated about situations happening around you. You will be able to formulate your responses while taking into account the facts of the situation, along with the feelings of people. Developing positive relationships with peers is very important, after all, human beings are still behind all of the technology in this world!
