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PrintEngineers With Estrogen
Meet Melissa Martz
Age: Fit, cute and quirky—so who cares?
Town: Augusta, Ga.
Best advice she’s given her young, naïve co-workers new to the techno world: Stand your ground, be yourself, and watch out for peanut butter—It has more sugar than you think!
Favorite Slang Word: Koo; a.k.a, "cool"
Okay, now to the Q&A:
How did you decide to go in to engineering?
I didn’t. Engineering chose me. I am actually very artistic. My mother wanted me to be an artist, but I said they don’t get noticed until after they’re dead…My boyfriend’s mother told me about this AutoCAD (drawing on the computer) that she thought would be right up my alley. And that’s how it all started.
Where did you graduate from and what field of engineering did you graduate in?
I graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2001 in the mechanical engineering field.
What challenges did you face as a woman majoring in a male dominated course of study?
When in college I didn’t run into any challenges. I was treated the same as everybody else and actually enjoyed college.
What challenges have you faced in the workplace?
I am not taken seriously. Also, if I show initiative and sternness in my demeanor, I am seen as a ‘witchy’ woman who is ‘complaining.’ But if a man does the same thing, he is seen as strong and professional.
Where have you worked?
Plant Vogtle in Waynesboro, Ga., as a reactor engineer; Georgia Iron Works as an engineering supervisor; Babcock & Wilcox as a project engineer, and at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina as a field engineer.
How has working in the engineering field changed and/or made who you are today?
and self sufficient. I don’t rely on anyone.
What can be done to attract more women to engineering?
I think girls should be supported more in high school and pushed more to do this kind of work. I think most women just think that they can’t do it.
What is most misunderstood about engineering?
That you get to do all kinds of mathematical equations. No. In a nutshell, you work with equations and procedures that were already written up by someone else.
What is most misunderstood about women in engineering?
That we don’t have much to offer. In my 20 years of working in the field, I am always being labeled as the ‘secretary.’ There is still a lot of thinking that a woman should be at home bare foot and pregnant.
doing a man’s job and why I wasn’t at home having
babies and cooking my man dinner!
What are your career goals?
To own a cool clothing store, named Fetish, that offers body piercing and a tattoo parlor. The store will have black floors, walls and chandeliers, with plush red and pink rugs and retro crushed velvet sofas. Slipknot and DevilDriver will be playing in the background. But back to the real world…I would like to finish my MBA.
Tell us more about Melissa.
Even though I am an engineer, I still like to shop, get pedicures and talk about boys.
My girlfriends will answer, “Like she’s a girl!”
Meet Nikki Rebernak
Age: Forever Young
Favorite Food: Anything Mexican--and make sure there's salsa
Favorite Reading Spot: The bathroom--because it's the only place that offers privacy from her two kids.
How did you decide to go in to engineering?
I was always one of those kids who took things apart to see how they worked. I thought space shuttle tiles were the neatest thing.
Where did you graduate from and what field of engineering did you graduate in?
I graduated from the Clemson University with a BS in Ceramic Engineering.
What challenges did you face as a woman majoring in a male dominated course of study?
None, really. The professors thought that engineering becoming more diverse was a positive. Engineering departments attract a certain type of person, those people who are there to learn and apply their knowledge. The only issue I saw women having were those of self esteem.
not think hard, or use your brain and kick butt.
What challenges have you faced in the workplace?
There are always going to be a few people who want you to prove yourself. There are different reasons—you have to prove yourself because you are young; you have to prove yourself because you went to a different school, you are a different race, you have different experience. Or because you are a girl. If you do your job and are a good team player, the rest will take care of itself.
Where have you worked?
Thermal Ceramics and at GIW Industries as an applications engineer and market manager.
How has working in the engineering field changed and/or made who you are today?
Being an engineer has given me the opportunity to work around some amazing people. They are intelligent and creative. It has made me a better engineer.
What can be done to attract more women to engineering?
More education about the possibilities of an engineering degree. Getting a solid engineering education is useful in most disciplines, pre-med and pre-law included. The engineering degree says that you were willing to work hard and do a little more than the average college student.
What is most misunderstood about engineering?
That it’s hard. Engineering is not for everyone, but nothing is hard if you apply yourself. You won’t be stuck at a desk or a CAD station unless that is the type of job you want. Engineering opens doors.
What is most misunderstood about women in engineering?
It’s not that women in engineering are misunderstood—it’s some women in any job. Just like some men in any job.
is the exact same misunderstanding between men and
women everywhere. We’re different, but different is good.
What are your career goals?
Business development. I enjoy applying my engineering background with my MBA and making a business grow.
