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.