Laura Rose Semo Scharfman
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 raised in Madison, WI from the time I was 2 until I left for college at 18. I went to Carnegie Mellon University and received a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. I wanted to work in non-military aerospace when I was in high school so I was thrilled that my first full-time job out of college was at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Labs (JPL). Unfortunately, my day-to-day work wasn’t as fulfilling as I had hoped for, so I went to work at SpaceX two years later. When I joined this company is was still fairly small (about 850 people) and it still felt like a start-up. I loved the work that I did and felt both challenged and fulfilled all the time. As the company grew, it was no longer the right fit for me and I was ready to change things up. I went abroad to help my brother start a business in the Philippines, then went back to Wisconsin to be with me now-fiance who was getting a graduate degree, and help my father automate his factory (our family has owned a cheese business since 1991). I recently joined a start-up aiming to make a new consumer appliance for frozen desserts. This new role allows me to use my knowledge of the food industry, as well as leverage all of the technical knowledge I’ve gained over the years since graduating college.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
In my current role I am learning about different cooling and refrigeration systems and methods, and designing ways to test these out. I get to fabricate my own components in order to run these tests, whether that be using a CNC, a mill, or a 3D printer. I also create different kinds of models to predict my test results. I am mostly using excel at the moment (for thermal modelling) but will likely need to get more into 3D CFD modelling. In my work at SpaceX I would design a lot of components, but rarely fabricate them myself. I did, however, use a lot more 3D modelling tools (Unigraphics, Ansys).
3. 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?
I can think of only one person who overtly sexually harassed women in the work place, he would sometimes touch or pinch them in inappropriate ways. I politely pointed out that I never saw him act like this toward the men in the office. He replied that he never got any complaints from the women, so I explained that I was complaining to him at that moment. I didn’t threaten him, but just pointed out that what he was doing was inappropriate. I never saw him harass a woman again.
Realistically, sexism is usually less obvious. If you believe that someone is really treating you differently because of your gender (and sometimes it is hard to tell), the best course of action is to talk to the person directly. If, and only if, the situation can’t be resolved one on one, then ask for help. Having said that, the best course of all is to simply kick ass at your job!
4. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
Find the things you love and follow them passionately. If you have true passion for both work and play you will make time for them both.
5. What do you define success as?
Making a difference in the world and finding happiness in doing so.
6. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Pushing forward through good times and bad. Admitting when you are wrong, and knowing how to find the right answer.
7. 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?
Sometimes you just have to make a decision and stick with it.
Don’t take things too personally, be willing to step back and examine things objectively.
Don’t take things too seriously, be willing to laugh at yourself.
I was raised in Madison, WI from the time I was 2 until I left for college at 18. I went to Carnegie Mellon University and received a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. I wanted to work in non-military aerospace when I was in high school so I was thrilled that my first full-time job out of college was at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Labs (JPL). Unfortunately, my day-to-day work wasn’t as fulfilling as I had hoped for, so I went to work at SpaceX two years later. When I joined this company is was still fairly small (about 850 people) and it still felt like a start-up. I loved the work that I did and felt both challenged and fulfilled all the time. As the company grew, it was no longer the right fit for me and I was ready to change things up. I went abroad to help my brother start a business in the Philippines, then went back to Wisconsin to be with me now-fiance who was getting a graduate degree, and help my father automate his factory (our family has owned a cheese business since 1991). I recently joined a start-up aiming to make a new consumer appliance for frozen desserts. This new role allows me to use my knowledge of the food industry, as well as leverage all of the technical knowledge I’ve gained over the years since graduating college.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
In my current role I am learning about different cooling and refrigeration systems and methods, and designing ways to test these out. I get to fabricate my own components in order to run these tests, whether that be using a CNC, a mill, or a 3D printer. I also create different kinds of models to predict my test results. I am mostly using excel at the moment (for thermal modelling) but will likely need to get more into 3D CFD modelling. In my work at SpaceX I would design a lot of components, but rarely fabricate them myself. I did, however, use a lot more 3D modelling tools (Unigraphics, Ansys).
3. 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?
I can think of only one person who overtly sexually harassed women in the work place, he would sometimes touch or pinch them in inappropriate ways. I politely pointed out that I never saw him act like this toward the men in the office. He replied that he never got any complaints from the women, so I explained that I was complaining to him at that moment. I didn’t threaten him, but just pointed out that what he was doing was inappropriate. I never saw him harass a woman again.
Realistically, sexism is usually less obvious. If you believe that someone is really treating you differently because of your gender (and sometimes it is hard to tell), the best course of action is to talk to the person directly. If, and only if, the situation can’t be resolved one on one, then ask for help. Having said that, the best course of all is to simply kick ass at your job!
4. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
Find the things you love and follow them passionately. If you have true passion for both work and play you will make time for them both.
5. What do you define success as?
Making a difference in the world and finding happiness in doing so.
6. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Pushing forward through good times and bad. Admitting when you are wrong, and knowing how to find the right answer.
7. 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?
Sometimes you just have to make a decision and stick with it.
Don’t take things too personally, be willing to step back and examine things objectively.
Don’t take things too seriously, be willing to laugh at yourself.
