Her Story
About Patricia
I started my career in production work through a temp company after transitioning from healthcare, where I had worked for 10 years in home health and hospice using my certified nursing assistant certification. Production work led me into quality inspection, and I've been with my current company for 4 years now. I've been in my quality lead position for 2 years after being promoted to Quality Inspector 2 based on my experience, knowledge, and background. I inspect semi-trucks, including Peterbilts and Internationals, in a very male-dominated field. It's very stressful and always changing, so I always have a challenge on my hands, but I truly enjoy it. I recently received my CNG license to inspect for the Texas Railroad Commission, which was a big achievement for my company and what got me promoted to my current position. I'm also our regional ambassador, serving as the face of the company and standing out for women in my company. I've been in that role for going on a year. My next move is to go to a supervisor position because I'm never standing still in my position. I'm constantly up for a challenge, constantly proving myself, and constantly trying to gain more knowledge and experience.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Patricia
01What do you attribute your success to?
I am very stubborn and hard-headed and driven, and I have goals and ambitions. I take my homework with me, I know that's probably not a strength, but it is what it is. I don't just stop. I have really bad anxiety, but I don't let that get in my way. I still try through my mistakes. I'll still go out there and attack the same thing that I made a mistake on, like, with no fear. I'm constantly up for a challenge, constantly proving myself, and constantly trying to gain more knowledge and experience. I'm always looking for the next role and never standing still in my position.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
My boss always tells me, do not be a part of the problem, be a part of the solution. That's my favorite phrase. I go above and beyond, I don't just stop at my level. I will always constantly ask if there's anything that anyone else needs to be done, or where I can help.Don't be afraid, and don't be scared. I mean, it's rough, but it's definitely doable, and it's useful.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't be afraid, and don't be scared. I mean, it's rough, but it's definitely doable, and it's useful. Don't just stop at your level. Always constantly ask if there's anything that anyone else needs to be done, or where you can help, or where there's slack that you can pick up. Really just keep going. The sky's the limit, so don't let anything stop you. I go off of being a role model, a good leader, and making myself available and open to any advice, or trying to help other people grow.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
It's more challenging because I feel like I have to work harder to get to where I want to be in this male-dominated field. I'm constantly up for a challenge, constantly proving myself, constantly trying to gain more knowledge and experience. I'm always looking for the next role. It's very stressful, it's always changing, so I always have a challenge on my hands. But I truly enjoy it.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I'm big on family and big on my faith. I'm involved with church and do my Bible studies. I have 5 amazing grandbabies. I'm very disciplined, empathetic and sympathetic, and respectful. I feel like I bring a lot of strength to the team because I do carry a lot of weight, and I know that, they know that. I'm dependable and reliable. As a regional ambassador, I strengthen other women to not stop, basically, and don't let anything hold them back. I go off of being a role model, a good leader, and making myself available and open to any advice, or trying to help other people grow.
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