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In 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:
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:
- Breaking into the architecture and engineering industry can be challenging, especially when gaining the experience needed to advance. Networking and building strong relationships are key strategies for overcoming these challenges, while flexibility in work schedules plays a crucial role in balancing professional and family life.
- Work schedule flexibility allows individuals to adapt to changing needs, whether for family, health, or other reasons. Clear communication, planning ahead, and maintaining boundaries are key to making flexible arrangements work effectively for both the individual and the organization.
- Balancing work and personal life are challenging but crucial for long-term success. Flexibility in work schedules, combined with the shift to remote work, has significantly improved the ability to maintain this balance, allowing professionals to stay motivated and focused while managing family and career.
- Building strong relationships and maintaining clear communication are crucial for success, especially when working remotely. It’s important to stay accessible, responsive, and proactive in connecting with coworkers and clients, while also recognizing that relationship-building is a two-way street where both parties learn and grow together.
- It’s important to seek advice from those you trust who successfully balance work, family, and personal life. Being creative with work arrangements, like part-time schedules, can help achieve this balance, especially when supported by a flexible and collaborative work environment.
- In a transit station design project, Stephanie’s role as a female leader provided a unique perspective on safety, especially for women using the station at night. Her focus on security ensured that the project addressed broader public safety concerns, significantly influencing the design and planning process.
- Transparency is essential, and women should seek mentors who successfully balance work and family. Being creative with work arrangements, like part-time schedules, and collaborating with others who have similar goals can lead to success while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
- A career is a long journey, so it’s critical to plan for work-life balance and align your goals with both your personal and professional life. Be realistic about what fits your life, prioritize the needs of your team, and remember to enjoy the process along the way.
More Details in This Episode…
About Stephanie Miller
Stephanie Miller is a project manager, transportation planner, and communications specialist with 30 years of experience. She provides strategic expertise to help clients effectively navigate the transportation planning, environmental, and decision-making process — often for complex projects. She is skilled at developing informative transportation planning studies and environmental documentation that comply with the National Environmental Policy Act; facilitating meetings; building consensus; and developing approaches and materials to convey technical information to the public. Stephanie is considered to be an expert in creating clear and engaging documents that are understandable to the public and meet the needs of local, state, and federal decision-makers.
About the Host: Tiffani Teachey
Tiffani Teachey is a Sr. Mechanical Engineer, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) advocate, TEDx international speaker, and international best-selling author of the children’s book “What Can I Be? STEM Careers from A to Z,” the STEM Crew Kids Adventures series, and three empowerment books. She is the host of the Read It Right Radio Show on WDRBmedia. Tiffani is the owner of Thrive Edge Publishing and owner/publishing consultant of Inspired Authors Publishing. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering as well as a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management, both from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is currently a Leadership Studies Ph.D. student at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
As an engineer with more than 19 years of experience, Tiffani has a passion for inspiring the next generation to engage in STEM careers. She was born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and enjoys traveling and being a youth mentor. For more about Tiffani, visit her website at www.TiffaniTeachey.com. Check out the free STEM gift – 10 STEM Scholarships & Organizations e-book at www.stemistheway.com.
Sources/References:
Parametrix
Teams (as a remote work tool)
Zoom (as a remote work tool)
Connect with Stephanie Miller on LinkedIn
This Episode Is Brought to You by Parametrix
Parametrix, helps their clients imagine what’s possible. Whether it’s resilient infrastructure, livable communities, or habitat restoration, they partner with clients to create vibrant, sustainable communities and restore the health of the planet for generations to come. As a 100% employee-owned firm, their people have a vested interest in strong performance and exceptional client service. Parametrix is proud of their inclusive culture where equity across their company is standard practice and they celebrate diversity. From their very beginning, Parametrix has championed sustainability, within their company and our design solutions. Learn more at https://www.parametrix.com
We would love to hear any questions you might have or stories you can share on the things you do to balance your career and personal life effectively.
Please leave your comments, feedback, or questions in the section below.
To your success,
Tiffani Teachey
Host of the Women in Engineering Success Stories from STEM Professionals Podcast
