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12 SMT007 MAGAZINE I JANUARY 2023 PhD candidate in Materials Science and Engi- neering. When I informed my chemistry dis- sertation professor at Columbia University about my plan to transition into engineering, he said, "Jennie, I have known so many female students who never finished their PhD once they le there. Aer you receive your PhD from there, you could do very well." e rest is history. e practice of the Engineering School at Case at the time was to have a master's in engi- neering or physics as a prerequisite for PhD candidacy. However, my condition on coming to Case Engineering School was to go directly to the PhD without any delay. Having been a student in both chemistry and engineering, my experience was that chemistry curricula was quite different from engineering curricula; because of that, I was quite nervous. ere was only one way to tackle that difficulty, and that was to study hard. Luckily, l was able to get top grades in all my graduate engineering courses. With my background in chemistry, I found engineering to be extremely interesting, partic- ularly in how engineering creates things. Looking back, I appreciate how tremen- dously beneficial my engineering training has been in every endeavor in my career of 40+ years, in everything from technology enterprise to manufacturing operations to business. How has your background strength- ened your engineering experience? My engineering training has facili- tated my engagements in many areas, including in technology, manufacturing, and business. To me, life is a progression of three stages. e first stage is schooling, when we prepare for the future by building a foundational education into a solid plat- form from which to grow. e second stage is intellectual growth and "seasoning," wherein we develop our career, establish ourselves in our field, and learn how to contribute meaningfully to that field. e third and final stage, which I consider the prime of my life, is a valuable time where we can use what we've learned to contribute the most to our field and the world, while con- tinuing to learn and experience things. is is where I am now. Aer completing formal education, decid- ing whether I wanted to go into academia or into industry was a huge and difficult decision. Once I decided to enter industry, my first job was with Lockheed Martin Corporation (then Martin Marietta Corporation), where I was swily put on the fast track toward an execu- tive position. My time at Lockheed was such an intense learning journey; I was like a sponge. I started to truly appreciate the value of a solid education. I realized that the environment of one's very first job is a pivotal component for future career development. Working in an intellectually challenging environment is always a joyful and rewarding experience.