Rebecca Brackett

I attribute my success to my ability to consistently move and never stop working toward my goals. I started as entry level on the floor welding and I went to school at night while raising my kids. I worked silently, got my degrees, and moved up every year since working with my current company. My role has changed, or I've achieved an award or some type of certificate to further my education regularly. I just keep adding to my skillset making myself more valuable to my company and harder to replicate. The biggest thing is being consistent and believing in yourself. Do not stop and keeping going regardless of you believes you can or cannot. As long as you do that, you will be able to utilize the resources surrounding you to change your life.

As a single mother, a close friend once told me something that reshaped my entire approach to life: never structure your responsibilities around the assumption that someone else will reliably step in for you or your children. Build your life so you can handle school runs, pick-ups, and daily demands on your own if needed. I’ve lived by that principle throughout my children’s lives. It may sound extreme, but it has brought clarity, discipline, and a reduction in unnecessary stress. It forces priorities to stay aligned and removes fragile dependencies that can create instability. The lesson is simple: value teamwork, but master self-sufficiency first. Dependency can become a quiet liability that limits growth.

Learn to work as a team—but build yourself so capable that you can lead one.

Be intentional about what you take in. Listen to advice, but filter it—keep what builds you and release what doesn’t. Seek out people who invest in your growth, and distance yourself from those who resist it. Know when to speak and when silence carries more weight. In uncertain moments, restraint is often the strongest choice. How you carry yourself matters just as much as what you know, especially in a male-dominated field where perception can shape opportunity. Balance professionalism with personality—there is a clear line between camaraderie and allowing disrespect. Respect is non-negotiable, and once compromised, it is difficult to reclaim. Know your skill set and your value, even when others overlook it. There will be moments you are dismissed—stay prepared, stay grounded, and let competence speak for itself. Always be able to back your words with facts and preparation. In this field, credibility is currency—protect it.

Learning robotics entails a-lot of hands on learning. Textbook diagrams and definitions seldomly equate to real life equipment used daily by multiple operators running different product lines. Opportunity to learn new things is often presents when a problem arises. This is where finding the teachers around you will truly benefit. Knowing the right person to call for assistance will matter. The saying " Show me your friends and I will show you who you are." Cannot be more of a valid statement.

My core values are rooted in responsibility, respect, fairness, discipline and growth, because my life has required me to rely on structure rather than chance. Responsibility—especially as a mother—drives many of my decisions, as I am committed to providing not just for today, but to build a stronger, more secure foundation for my children’s future. I value discipline because I understand that consistent effort, not temporary motivation, is what creates real progress. Respect is equally important to me, particularly in how I communicate and carry myself, because I want my intelligence and capabilities to be clearly recognized and never underestimated. I hold firm to fairness and accountability, as my experiences have shaped a strong sense of right and wrong, and I do not tolerate dishonesty or imbalance well. Finally, I value growth, both personally and professionally, because I believe in continuously evolving and creating a better life through intentional action. Together, these values define how I navigate challenges, make decisions, and build a life that reflects stability and purpose.