December 2008
WISE professional development series continuesThe Women in Engineering Office hosted two "Backpack to Briefcase" luncheons during fall semester, with guests Cynthia Pederson, Director of the Division of Reactor Safety for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and alumna Virginia Biglar-Engler. Both shared their insights and experiences during lunches on north campus. Pederson rose through the ranks in a government agency and now enjoys a position with a flexible schedule, opportunity for advancement and satisfying responsibilities as she protects the public health and safety at the U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Virginia Biglar-Engler was among the first women to earn a master's degree in meteorology at the University of Michigan. Her career spanned positions in the media as a weather forecaster and with the San Diego Air Pollution Control District. She now uses her expertise as a volunteer meteorologist to assist before, during and after emergencies including wildfires in San Diego. Though each woman's accomplishments are in very different fields, each offered similar advice, including knowing your interests and developing your skills, cultivating opportunities by networking, committing to continuous professional development, pursuing a position you feel passionate about, and filling your life with experiences and people you appreciate. Look for upcoming "Backpack to Briefcase" professional development lunches at: http://www.engin.umich.edu/wie/ |
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