Engineering Management Institute

WIE - Women in Engineering Podcast

WIE 025: How to Balance Your Career and Personal Life Effectively

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Balance Your CareerIn this episode, I talk with Stephanie Miller, senior consultant at Parametrix, about the long journey of balancing a fulfilling career with personal life. We dive into the ups and downs of managing work-life balance, explore the power of flexibility, and share insights on how to achieve lasting success, whether you’re pursuing a career, raising a family, or both.

***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***

Engineering Quotes:

Balance Your Career

Balance Your Career

Here Are Some of the Questions I Asked Stephanie:

  • With 30 years of experience in the architecture and engineering industry, what challenges have you faced and how did you overcome them?
  • How has working both full-time and part-time helped you balance family needs, and what advice do you have for women in the A/E industry struggling with work-life balance?
  • How has career flexibility contributed to your success in the industry, particularly as a mother balancing work and family?
  • What improvements have you seen in the A/E industry to support women with work-life balance, and where is more progress needed?
  • How has working remotely since 2011 impacted your career, and what advice do you have for women in engineering navigating remote work today?
  • Can you share a time when your role as a female leader provided a unique perspective to a project or team?
  • What strategies have you found effective in advocating for yourself and other women in the A/E industry?
  • What final piece of advice would you give to young women starting their careers in architecture and engineering, especially those looking to balance a successful career with family responsibilities?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Balance Your Career and Personal Life Effectively:

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WIE 024: How to Become the CEO of Your Own Career

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CEO of Your Own CareerIn this episode, we talk with Tammy Alvarez, CEO of the Career Winners Circle, who shares her inspiring journey of career transformation and her mission to empower women to become the CEOs of their own careers. Tammy provides valuable insights and strategies for women seeking fulfillment and success in engineering and STEM roles.

***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***

Engineering Quotes:

CEO of Your Own Career

CEO of Your Own Career

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Tammy:

  • What have been the key turning points in your career, and why were they so significant?
  • What inspired you to write “Escaping the Career Trap,” and how was the journey of writing it for you?
  • Why is the concept of “never hating Mondays again” so crucial in your book?
  • What advice would you give to engineers and professionals considering a career change?
  • How do you personally define success?
  • Can you explain what it means to become the CEO of your career, and how can engineers apply their mindset to their professional growth?
  • What causes people to feel unfulfilled in their careers, and what steps should they take if they feel stuck in a career that no longer serves them?
  • What final piece of advice would you give to engineers for thriving in today’s environment?

Here are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Become the CEO of Your Own Career:

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WIE 023: The Best Strategies for Empowering Women in STEM

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Empowering WomenIn this episode, I talk with Layla El Khadri, feminine leadership mentor, speaker, and author, about strategies for empowering women and bridging the gender gap in STEM fields, creating a more inclusive and equitable future.

***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***

Engineering Quotes:

Empowering Women

Empowering Women

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Layla:

  • What are some common self-limiting beliefs women in engineering face, and what strategies can help overcome them?
  • What techniques can women use to build self-confidence and assertiveness in engineering environments?
  • How can women in engineering learn to trust and use their intuition to guide their decisions and career growth?
  • Can you explain the concept of “follow-with-instruction productivity,” how it’s relevant for empowering women in engineering, and how they can achieve and maintain this state?
  • What are some practical ways for women engineers to build emotional intelligence to handle workplace challenges effectively?
  • What are some feminine leadership qualities, and how can they positively influence business dynamics in the engineering field?
  • Can you share some insights on how aligning work schedules with natural biological cycles can help optimize productivity?
  • How can women use the mind-body connection to improve performance, build emotional resilience, and communicate effectively in leadership roles?
  • What final piece of advice would you give to women engineers seeking to achieve personal growth and professional success?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About the Best Strategies for Empowering Women in STEM:

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WIE 022: The Successful Career-Boosting Effects of the PMP Certification

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PMP CertificationIn this episode, I talk with Tamara McLemore, PMP, PMI-ACP, Project Manager Professional (PMP) exam instructor, about how the PMP certification can transform your career. We debunk some common myths about the PMP certification and explore accelerated strategies to help you achieve it quicker.

***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***

Engineering Quotes:

PMP Certification

PMP Certification

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Tamara:

  • What motivates you to help women earn their PMP certification?
  • Why should women engineers get their PMP certification, and how can it impact their careers?
  • What are the top five myths that discourage people from pursuing their PMP certification?
  • Who is eligible to apply for the PMP certification?
  • What are the eligibility criteria for the PMP certification, including required experience and education?
  • What are common misconceptions about prior project leadership experience for PMP candidates?
  • What are the top two tips for passing the PMP exam?
  • What final piece of advice do you have for engineers looking to advance their careers with certifications like the PMP?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About the Successful Career-Boosting Effects of the PMP Certification:

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WIE 021: Navigating Offshore Wind Energy Development in the U.S.

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Offshore Wind EnergyIn this episode, I talk with Tershara Matthews, senior vice president and National Offshore Wind Policy lead at WSP USA. We discuss the fast-growing field of offshore wind energy in the U.S. and explore ways to improve the country’s offshore wind capabilities. Tershara also shares her experiences as a woman in engineering and energy policy, and how her background in public health and biology shapes her approach to environmental and energy policies.

***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***

Engineering Quotes:

Offshore Wind Energy

Offshore Wind Energy

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Tershara:

  • How is engineering currently evolving as a key player in the U.S. energy sector?
  • What are some of the most innovative policies or projects you’ve worked on at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and now at WSP?
  • How have you handled being a woman in the male-dominated fields of engineering and energy policy?
  • As the National Offshore Wind Policy lead, what strategies are you using to improve U.S. offshore wind capabilities?
  • How do offshore wind and transmission issues relate, and what are the key considerations for efficient integration?
  • How have your studies in public health and biology shaped your approach to environmental and energy policies?
  • What final advice would you give to young engineers, especially women, aiming to make a significant impact in the engineering world?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Navigating Offshore Wind Energy Development in the U.S.:

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WIE 020: The Best Strategies to Promote Diversity in Engineering

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Strategies to Promote DiversityIn this episode, I talk with Kimberly Hardy, Esq., senior vice president for diversity, inclusion, and compliance at McKissack, about strategies to promote diversity and inclusion in engineering and construction. She shares her journey, challenges, and how regulatory changes impact diversity efforts.

***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***

Engineering Quotes:

Strategies to Promote Diversity

Strategies to Promote Diversity

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Kimberly:

  • How can strategies to promote diversity and inclusion be effectively incorporated into large-scale projects?
  • What was the toughest obstacle you encountered while advocating for diversity and inclusion in male-dominated fields such as engineering and construction?
  • Could you share a specific project where you effectively improved diversity and inclusion?
  • Could you explain the acronym MWBE and what it stands for?
  • How have changes in regulations or laws influenced your work in compliance and diversity throughout the years?
  • What motivates you personally to advocate for diversity and inclusion within the technical and engineering fields?
  • What improvements do you expect or want to see in diversity and inclusion in construction and engineering?
  • What approach would you suggest for companies seeking to improve their diversity and inclusion initiatives?
  • What advice would you give to both new and experienced engineers who aim to make a positive impact on diversity and inclusion in their workplace?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About the Best Strategies to Promote Diversity in Engineering:

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WIE 019: How to Cultivate Cultural Intelligence in Devoted Engineering Teams

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Cultural IntelligenceIn this episode, I talk with Loren Rosario-Maldonado, PCC, an executive coach at Torch, CQ Fellow at the Cultural Intelligence Center, and Chief People Scientist at Cultura, Inc. We discuss how cultural intelligence can transform engineering teams, effective ways to improve organizational culture, and the importance of self-care for successful leadership.

***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***

Engineering Quotes:

Cultural Intelligence

Cultural Intelligence

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Loren:

  • Could you explain cultural intelligence and its importance in today’s engineering fields?
  • What’s one effective strategy you’ve used to improve organizational culture?
  • How do you incorporate self-care into your leadership training, and why do you think it’s crucial for effective leadership?
  • What practical steps can engineers take to navigate diversity and promote inclusivity in the workplace?
  • Given the fast-paced changes in modern workplaces, what do you envision as the future of work, particularly within engineering disciplines?
  • How can we motivate individuals and teams to embrace and utilize their diverse backgrounds and perspectives?
  • What factors influence motivating diverse engineering teams across generations?
  • What are some simple daily habits people can adopt to boost their cultural intelligence?
  • What advice would you offer to women engineers aiming to progress in their careers and potentially assume leadership positions?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Cultivate Cultural Intelligence in Devoted Engineering Teams:

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WIE 018: Revolutionizing Engineering With AI Integration

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AI IntegrationIn this episode, I talk with Cassandra “Cassie” Shum, VP of field engineering at RelationalAI, about engineering challenges, the future of AI integration, and its broader applications. Cassie also shares her career journey and emphasizes the importance of mentorship.

***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***

Engineering Quotes:

AI Integration

AI Integration

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Cassie:

  • How has mentoring played a role in your success and achievements?
  • What are some of the biggest challenges that engineers currently face?
  • What do you envision for the future of generative AI integration?
  • Why do the productivity gains promised by AI integration in theory often fail to translate into real-world outcomes?
  • Why is establishing a strong foundation crucial for effective AI integration in the workplace?
  • Is it harder for software engineers to stay relevant today amid all the new technologies and industry noise?
  • What does the concept of community mean within the engineering sector?
  • What advice do you have for women aiming to grow their careers in engineering?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Revolutionizing Engineering With AI Integration:

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WIE 017: Career Paths for Opportunities and Growth in Construction Tech

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Construction TechIn this episode, I talk with Erin Khan, a leader in construction technology, about how construction tech has evolved and what’s ahead. Erin also shares her journey, career paths in construction tech, challenges for women, and advice for engineers entering the field or starting ventures.

***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***

Engineering Quotes:

Construction Tech

Construction Tech

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Erin:

  • What inspired you to start an independent consulting firm in the construction technology space, particularly as a woman in this field?
  • What are typical career paths in construction technology, and how can individuals pursue them effectively?
  • What specific opportunities or challenges might women face when pursuing careers in this field?
  • How can women in engineering best navigate and advance in the construction industry, given its challenges and opportunities?
  • How would you characterize the current state of the construction technology landscape compared to a decade ago?
  • Which new technologies or trends do you find most exciting or promising for the construction industry?
  • How do you expect these advancements to impact different aspects of construction, including efficiency, safety, and sustainability?
  • How do you keep yourself updated and ahead in the rapidly evolving field of construction technology?
  • What advice would you offer to engineers, particularly those aiming to enter construction technology or start their venture?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Career Paths for Opportunities and Growth in Construction Tech:

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WIE 016: How to Boost Emotional Intelligence for Engineers in the Workplace

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Emotional IntelligenceIn this episode, we talk with Karine Leblanc, vice president of Sales at iAIRE, LLC, and a renowned speaker, trainer, coach, and author, about the critical role of emotional intelligence (EQ) in engineering and why it matters. Karine provides practical strategies and tips for engineers to help enhance their EQ.

***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***

Engineering Quotes:

Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Karine:

  • What is the title of your book, and could you share your experience as an author?
  • Can you explain the concept of emotional intelligence (EQ) and why it has become important in the engineering field?
  • Why is emotional intelligence important as a critical skill for engineers, especially considering their traditional focus on technical abilities?
  • How has developing emotional intelligence impacted your professional life and influenced your approach to engineering and leadership?
  • What strategies do you suggest for engineers who want to improve their emotional intelligence?
  • How can engineering teams promote a positive emotional culture in their workplaces?
  • How can leaders effectively assess the emotional well-being of their team, including using specific tools or methods to gain deeper insights?
  • What advice would you offer engineers seeking to advance their careers and personal growth?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Boost Emotional Intelligence for Engineers in the Workplace:

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