Her Story
About Laura
Laura X serves as service manager for a heavy equipment company in Plainfield, Illinois, where she has worked for approximately 11 years managing technicians who repair construction equipment. Her background also includes time in the temperature control industry and the power sector, where she previously oversaw 30 technicians on a 24-7 schedule in an operations management capacity before returning to a service-focused role. With a high school diploma from 1990, some college coursework originally aimed toward teaching, and primarily hands-on training, Laura emphasizes accountability, fairness, and maintaining balance by caring for her team as individuals while ensuring expectations are met. She attributes her success to embracing the challenge of leading in a male-dominated field and showing resilience by continuing to work through chemotherapy during a cancer battle three years ago. Among the biggest challenges she identifies in her field are recruiting qualified technicians and managing emergency calls with limited staffing.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Laura
01What do you attribute your success to?
The challenge of being a woman in an all-male-dominated industry made me want to stay there more because I'm like I can do this. I didn't look for it but it just kind of felt natural. I battled cancer 3 years ago and worked through chemo while still doing my job which showed my team how tough I am.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Don't get caught up in the noise. Just stay focused on the big picture and the job we really need to be doing. Never let them see us sweat.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Stand your ground. Know in your mind that you can do it. It can be done. Get out there and show them what you're made of. Have confidence in yourself that if somebody else can do it then so can you.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Finding good qualified technicians is the biggest challenge. The trades business has fallen away and finding young people who want to make this a career. Also handling emergency calls when you don't have enough bodies to send.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Accountability is huge for me in both work and personal life. Being fair to the people on my team and to myself. Having limits and boundaries. Maintaining a balance where I care for my team as people not just numbers while still having expectations that the job gets done.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.