
Debra Whittaker
Vice President of Engineering, Aerospace Coatings International
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Find a mentor! Make connections with people in the type of job you want to have one day.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
I help airlines and aircraft owners develop safe, reliable repair solutions for worn, corroded, and damaged aircraft components.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS FIELD?
In high school, I enjoyed math and science but had no idea what I wanted to do career-wise. During my freshman year of college, I looked at various majors and their course offerings and felt engineering was a good fit for my interests.
I had some people in my life tell me that engineering wasn't suitable for girls. I let their words motivate me because I knew I had to prove them wrong.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK AT & THINK, "I WISH YOUNGER ME WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS WAS POSSIBLE?"
That it is possible to balance raising a family with having a successful career.
WHY DO YOU LOVE WORKING IN STEM?
I enjoy working with engineers all over the world. I look forward to coming to work and solving problems that seem to have no answer.
BEST ADVICE FOR NEXT GENERATION?
Find a mentor! Make connections with people in the type of job you want to have one day.
INSPO / FUN FACT
"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”
Walt Disney