Techniques Nov-Dec 2012 - 14

Q and A

An Interview with Karen Purcell, Advocate for Women in STEM
Karen Purcell is president and owner of PK Electrical. She is author of the book Unlocking Your Brilliance: Smart Strategies for Women to Thrive in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
ACTE: You own the largest electrical engineering firm in northern Nevada. How did you get to that point? KP: When I first moved to Reno to start PK Electrical, I was a stranger in a new land, and to make matters worse, I was a woman in a very male-dominated profession. Clients were reluctant to try us because we were new and not part of the typically male group that was known around town. It took perseverance and determination (and a positive attitude) to get through that challenging time. I now have a successful electrical engineering business with 18 employees and growing. ACTE: What advice would you give young girls who want to pursue a STEM career? KP: At an early age, if we feel like we aren’t getting the advice or information we need to make the right decision, it may be time to seek out a mentor. This may be a person from school, in the community or from a national organization. Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM), Association of Women in Science (AWIS) and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) are a few of the national organizations that can be contacted. For the most part, though, any professional, male or female, will be able to share information that will help us make better decisions. ACTE: What advice would you give teachers of female students who wish to pursue a STEM career? KP: Encourage them to take more difficult math and science courses. Provide them with the support necessary to succeed and the career options that are available. Be there for them to discuss their thoughts, and set them up with professionals who can give them more clarity on what a career in STEM is all about. ACTE: What do you believe is the number one reason women are not encouraged to pursue STEM careers? KP: Lack of exposure to the STEM fields. Young girls cannot possibly consider opportunities they do not know exist. If girls are not exposed to certain career paths, particularly STEM careers, prior to or during high school, they are highly unlikely to pursue them in college. There is no easy way to explain why more women are not encouraged to follow these career paths, but whatever the reasons, there is no legitimate excuse for anyone not being encouraged to follow his or her passions in life because of gender. ACTE: What can teachers do to “increase STEM exposure prior to or during high school?” KP: From an early age, develop curiosity in your students by asking questions about how things work and the world around us. Take class outings to science centers and museums. Identify and discuss the science and math in everyday life. Encourage your students to take science and math classes. ACTE: What is STEMspire? Tell us about its purpose. KP: STEMspire is a nonprofit that was established to encourage and inspire young girls and women in STEM. A portion of the proceeds from my book will go towards STEMspire. My hope is that STEMspire can provide financial—as well as emotional and inspirational—assistance for girls and women who are studying STEM and for women who are interested in starting a STEM-field business. ACTE: What programs or scholarships are there for girls who choose STEM careers? KP: On my website, www. unlockingyourbrilliance.com, I have a download that provides resources to help girls find scholarships, grants and fellowships. ACTE: Why are mentors so important, no matter the age or stage in life? KP: The value of mentorship is a recurring theme in my book, and for good reason. My mentor was Tom Krob, and the day I met him would become one of the most fortunate days in my career. I had the foundation that I learned in school, but the experience Tom provided taught me nearly everything I know today about being successful in the field of engineering. He showed me the business side of engineering, which was something I was not exposed to in school. I worked closely with him for a number of years and soaked up everything he taught me. Finding a mentor early on can do wonders for the amount of satisfaction we find in our lives.
Read the full interview with Karen Purcell online at www.acteonline.org/ tech_oct12_purcell.

Techniques

November/December 2012

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Techniques Nov-Dec 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Techniques Nov-Dec 2012