NSBE - Conference 2012 - (Page 24)

NSBE Member Janelle Johnson ‘Succeeding professionally’ at pgW By Lynette Locke oung African-American women may seem to be a rarity in science, technology, engineering and math, but a new generation is making its mark. Take Janelle Johnson, for example, a senior staff chemist at Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW). Johnson has committed herself to excellence and in doing so, has become a shining example of success. She has set out to absorb important information and experiences, work hard and pay it forward, by helping to nurture others in the field. Johnson works in a laboratory where her responsibilities include many analytical services, such as gas chromatography for PGW’s Gas Processing Plants and the company at large. “We work with potentially contaminated soil, water, asbestos and unknown fluids. We train departments in environmental, health and safety practices. We also perform emergency response for suspected gas leaks and remediate mercury spills that may occur,” she explains. What Johnson says she enjoys most about Y “Thanks to NSBE, I feel more confident in and comfortable with my ability to lead in the workplace.” her job at PGW is that the work is “hands-on, unpredictable, highly technical and requires quick thinking and problem-solving skills.” She also takes pride in the fact that her work helps people receive a vital resource: natural gas. Her commitment to her work has definitely been noticed. “Ms. Johnson is an energetic, enthusiastic and dedicated young engineer who has fit in nicely at our company, says Mike Jones, P.E., vice president of Technical Compliance. “(She) is very active with an engineering affinity group at PGW that provides a forum for professional growth and networking within the company 24 • nsbe magazine • convention 2012 among technical professionals. Janelle has developed professional relationships with our internal clients that promote intradepartmental cooperation. She has cultivated a reputation of competence and of excellent service to her clients. She does it all while flashing her 1,000watt smile,” he says. Johnson was exposed to engineering and NSBE at an early age, because her older brother and sister were NSBE leaders at their universities. Still, her decision to pursue engineering came late. “I went to my first (Fall Regional Conference) as a junior in high school but didn’t truly fall in love with NSBE until I was a junior at the University of Pennsylvania, where I served as (the NSBE chapter’s) Academic Excellence chair and historian,” she says. She served in those positions for two years and was able to help fellow students get scholarships, win research competitions and compete in NSBE’s Academic Tech Bowl. She shouldered these leadership responsibilities while she earned her B.S.E. in chemical and biomolecular engineering. She graduated from Penn in May 2008. The future is bright for this young scientist. She is pursuing her M.S. degree in water resource and environmental engineering at Villanova University, with the hope of working as an environmental engineer in the field of water resources. But she continues to find time to volunteer for NSBE, for which she is a strong advocate. She is the current president of the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter. Johnson says her experiences with NSBE helped prepare her for a career in engineering. “NSBE has done so much for me. It got me my first internship and my first job out of college. Some of my dearest friends were made through NSBE…” she says. “The experiences I have had and continue to have through NSBE are invaluable. Thanks to NSBE, I feel more confident in and comfortable with my ability to lead in the workplace.” The world that Janelle Johnson has created for herself is a tribute to her intellect, character and personality, and a template for others who have embraced NSBE’s mission. ■ www.nsbe.org http://www.nsbe.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NSBE - Conference 2012

NSBE - Conference 2012
Table of Contents
Passing the Torch
The Programs Zone
Membership News
NSBE Mourns the Loss of Mario Church, Former National Chair
NSBE Makes STEM Education Pledge to the Clinton Global Initiative
SEEK 2012 Update
Kevin Austin of TEMA
Courtney Skinner of GE
William S. Redmond III of NAVAIR
Dr. Bryan Reid of MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Janelle Johnson of PGW
Tyrone Strozier of General Dynamics C4 Systems
Rashad Nelson of ITW
International News
NSBE Calendar
Things to Do in Pittsburgh
Cummins Scores Big at NSBE Conferences
Golden Torch Award Winners
The Professional’s Perspective
The Engineering Work Force, 2012 Supply, Demand and Diversity
On the Edge
AE Members on the Move
Employer Profiles
Advertisers Index

NSBE - Conference 2012