NSBE - Convention 2010 - (Page 8)

sandra Edmonds of Intel Building a Stellar Career in Quality s andra Edmonds recalls how, as an intern at Intel, she was immediately given challenging work that impacted the company. Fourteen years later, her work continues to have a positive impact on the business, her peers and her community. Since beginning her career as a device engineer in the Yield Department for Fab12 in Chandler, Ariz., Edmonds has steadily moved up the corporate ladder and is now the engineering manager for Quality and Reliability for high volume manufacturing “We make things at Intel that no one else in the world can make. The technical challenges are real, and they are seemingly endless.” wafer Fabs. As such, she is responsible for ensuring the overall health of global Fabs and the quality of products to Intel’s customers. She attributes her success to a continuous desire to learn and grow, as well as making lateral moves when necessary. After receiving her master’s in electrical engineering from Stanford University, Edmonds spent her first year learning the Intel culture. In a fast-paced global company that employs more than 85,000 individuals spanning 60 countries, this was no easy feat. She relied heavily on the “Buddy System,” which pairs new employees with veteran employees. The advice she received from her buddy helped with her integration into the company, and she maintains that relationship to this day. After relying on mentors and coaches for the first few years of her career, Edmonds now serves as a mentor and role model to many young Intel employees. “People at Intel are hired with the right tools but don’t understand the environment at times. So I reach out in an effort to help everyone be successful,” she says. Her advice to new em8• nsbe magazine ployees is, “Don’t sit back and wait for what you want. Find the opportunities that allow you to follow your passion and interest, and go for it.” Edmonds is a passionate advocate for women and underrepresented minorities, serving as the chair for Intel’s Black Leadership Council (IBLC) and volunteering at numerous events hosted by internal employee groups such as Women at Intel (WIN) and Network of Intel African Americans (NIA). The IBLC, a leadership body composed of the company’s most senior AfricanAmerican employees, and Intel’s employee groups are instrumental in helping Intel Global Diversity and Inclusion improve the recruitment, development and retention of a diverse work force. As a member of IBLC, Edmonds has participated in speed mentoring, facilitated technical panel discussions and coordinated volunteer outreach programs. Outside of the company, she has been a member of the National Society of Black Engineers since college and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) since 2005. She was awarded an Emerging Leader award for Manufacturing and Quality by SWE last year for her technical leadership and strong process/device knowledge to solve numerous problems. With Edmonds’ strong commitment to technical leadership and community involvement, one might wonder if she has any time for a personal life. Thanks to the many work/life effectiveness programs offered at Intel, she successfully balances career and family life. She and her husband both work at Intel but are able to enjoy quality time with their three young children. With the time requirements of their jobs, they do not adopt traditional roles but adapt as necessary to meet the needs of their family. When asked about her goals, Edmonds responds, “I look forward to the opportunity to continue growing and contributing in both a technical and managerial role.” She can’t imagine working anywhere besides Intel. “We make things at Intel that no one else in the world can make,” she says. “The technical challenges are real, and they are seemingly endless. We’re there on the forefront, and that’s an exciting place to be.” ■ www.nsbe.org • convention 2010 http://www.nsbe.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NSBE - Convention 2010

NSBE - Convention 2010
Contents
Get Involved
What Makes Us Great
Sandra Edmonds of Intel
Dr. David Freeman of MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Dwayne James of Jacobs
Jean Paul of Philadelphia Gas Works
Ernest Levert of Lockheed Martin
Bryan Agard of ITW
Bettye Moddy of Navair
International News
Chapter News
Region I Jobs Outlook
Engineering a Global Impact
Things To Do In Toronto
Career Fair Recruiters Speak
Golden Torch Award Winners
Save Our Kids 2010
CE Cover: Advanced Degrees
Employer Profiles
AE Members On the Move
Advertisers Index

NSBE - Convention 2010