Brianne Szalaj

I attribute my success to the strong leadership, mentorship, and support I’ve received throughout my career. I’ve been fortunate to work with mentors and teams who recognized my strengths, encouraged my growth, and provided opportunities to develop my skills in the metrology field. At Advanced Technology Services, the leadership team continues to invest in my professional development through new opportunities, training programs, and credentialing support, which has been instrumental in my growth and success.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to keep going and not be intimidated by its male-dominated nature. Don’t let that discourage you or limit your growth—focus instead on learning from strong leaders, building your skills, and demonstrating your strengths with confidence. If you have a passion for this field, pursue it fully, even when you feel like you may be in the minority. Early in my career, I questioned returning to calibration because there were so few women in that space, but I chose to move forward regardless. Along the way, you may encounter people who try to undermine your confidence, but it’s important not to internalize that or allow it to derail your progress. Stay focused, trust your abilities, and continue pushing forward.

One of the biggest challenges in calibration and metrology right now is that it remains a highly specialized field, with relatively few organizations maintaining in-house credentials. As a result, many companies rely on outsourcing their calibration needs, which can create delays, added costs, and limited internal capability development. At the same time, this presents a strong opportunity to expand access by helping smaller gauge labs become certified and accredited. By building more in-house capabilities, organizations can improve efficiency, strengthen quality control, and broaden the overall capacity of the industry.

The most important value in my work and personal life is maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Early in my career, I was highly goal-oriented and focused on excelling in my role, especially in the pharmaceutical field where I wanted to learn from my technicians and mentors and set a strong example for my daughter. However, a moment she shared with me—asking, “but mom, what about me sometimes?”—really shifted my perspective. It reminded me that while career success is important, being present for my family matters just as much. Today, I’m grateful to work for a company that supports this balance, allowing me to give my best at work while still prioritizing my children, my home life, and what matters most outside of my career.