Influential Woman · Telecommunications and Electronics Manufacturing

Michelle Siems

Quality Assurance Supervisor, Ultratec, Inc.

Madison, WI

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Associate's Degree in Business Management Cert Certified ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Cert Certification for Project Management in an Office Environment

Her Story

About Michelle

I've been in telecommunications and electronics manufacturing for going on 20 years now. I honestly got into this field when I was [AGE] - we had a job opening in document control, and it kind of just stuck. I went through the company and I'm now in quality. My role is a little unique compared to most. I handle any issues related to incoming inspection or document control, as those report directly to me. I'm also our system administrator for our EQMS, so I handle all the behind the scenes - any issues, whether we're making changes or upgrades to that. I also handle corrective actions and internal audits, so one day is never the same. I like being busy, thankfully. As a certified ISO 9001 lead auditor, my company is ISO certified, so I help run our internal audit program and mentor other auditors as they're starting to come up and help them continue to learn and understand ISO. My background and degree in business management and project management have definitely helped shape where I am as the system administrator for EQMS, because I have access to the ground and that understanding.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Michelle

01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best career advice I've ever received is to put the pain where it belongs. What that means is to use my systems to put the pain where it belongs. So, use my system, which would be corrective actions. Instead of dealing with a meeting and going on and on, write a corrective action, use my system, and put the pain back on them to make it a systematic versus a personal issue. This approach helps me handle problems professionally through established processes rather than letting things become personal conflicts.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would say patience. Electronics, there is a lot to it in and of its own industry, and there's a lot of different facets to it. Don't be narrow-minded and be willing to always learn. The field is complex and multifaceted, so keeping an open mind and maintaining a commitment to continuous learning is essential for success.

03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

In my field, the biggest challenges are understanding ISO along with being a woman in quality. There's very few women - it's mostly men in quality, especially on the engineering side. For electronic telecommunication, I'm finding more and more that it's a smaller niche than I thought it was. Quality is more focused, apparently, on the food side, so understanding electronics manufacturing along with how that relates to quality, and ISO especially, is a significant challenge and opportunity.

04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

The values most important to me in my work and personal life are trustworthiness, honesty, and understanding that everyone's time is valuable. These principles guide how I interact with colleagues and approach my responsibilities, ensuring that I maintain integrity and respect in all my professional and personal relationships.

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