Did you know that 1/3 of Westminster Tool’s team is female? And that they span across the machining, production, finance, design, HR, and sales teams? In honor of 2019 International Women’s Day and this year’s theme #BalanceForBetter – we wanted to highlight some of the awesome ladies who have helped to balance our team. We are often asked “How do you have so many woman on your team.” The truth is – we hire the best and brightest and provide a culture where everyone can recognize and reach their greatest potential. So the real questions is – how did all of our female employees end up here? We interviewed some of our team so they could answer themselves.
QUESTION 1: What attracted you to the manufacturing industry?
- Amy Skrzypczak, Electrode Manufacturing – “It was a new and exciting challenge that provided a good balance of using my hands and my brain. There was an opportunity for me to learn a new skill set and grow.”
- Victoria Rooke, EDM Machinist – “How the parts are so intricate and precise and that a machine could accomplish such difficult things blew my mind.”
- Hillary Coombs, Sales – “Being able to see, understand and appreciate how the items we use every day actually come together and all of the intricate steps that go into it.”
QUESTION 2: When did you decide you wanted to pursue a career in manufacturing?
- Danielle O’Connor, EDM Machinist – “I was a sophomore in high school when I knew I wanted to go into the field of manufacturing. I had been taking manufacturing technologies for a year and was absolutely blown away by all the different things I could learn.”
- Chelsea Silan, Production Technician – “It was at a point in my life where I did not know what to do with my new degree in Graphic Design so I decided to take a new path in manufacturing to see where it would take me.”
QUESTION 3: Did anyone influence your decision?
- Victoria Rooke, EDM Machinist – “My guidance counselor. I told “him” that I wanted to learn manufacturing and “he” granted me the option to take a night course at a local community college on blue print reading. After that one class, I was hooked.”
- Danielle O’Connor, EDM Machinist – “My two high school shop instructors showed me how passionate they were about the field of manufacturing. I wanted to have that kind of love for my career.”
- Kylee Carbone, Talent Development – “No, it was more the experience of my internship combined with seeing what the manufacturing industry can provide for people locally. I’ve found my passion is helping others, and the aspect of promoting a career I believe in fulfills that passion.”
QUESTION 4: What is the favorite part of your job?
- Amy Skrzypczak, Electrode Manufacturing – “The balance of being hands on but also getting to use my brain. The day is never boring, there is always a different challenge, something new to be learned or improved, and at the end of it I get to see how my portion of the work and everyone else’s comes together to make the final product.”
- Kylee Carbone, Talent Development – “The people I work with and being able to work independently without being micro-managed.”
QUESTION 5: Do you have any advice you’d like to give to anyone interested in manufacturing careers?
- Chelsea Silan, Production Technician – “My advice to anyone new in manufacturing is not to be afraid to try something outside of your comfort zone. It sounds terrifying and it may intimidate you at first but once you face it you can overcome and accomplish anything. Plus, you’ve learned something new about yourself.”
- Danielle O’Connor, EDM Machinist – “A piece of advice my Dad gave me is to never stop learning. I think one of the reasons I am doing well in my career is because I have not lost the same curiosity I had on my first day of exploratory in high school. I wanted to learn everything I could and still do to this day.
Westminster Tool is proud to have not only a balanced gender environment, but the best and brightest talent from our area. To learn more about how to join our team, visit our careers page.
