Her Story
About Summer
Summer Couch serves as People Manager of a team of technicians in pharmaceutical manufacturing, focusing on environmental monitoring and microbiology sampling to maintain compliance with regulations. She joined the industry in 2020 after a career in public education, where she taught high school science with an emphasis on environmental topics. A 2013 graduate of Old Dominion University with a Bachelor's of Science, Couch previously earned the 2019 Shenandoah Valley Water Conservation District Teacher of the Year award for her conservation education efforts in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. She attributes her success to a desire to make a positive impact by helping others grow, and she advises young women entering the field to persevere and pursue their passions, emphasizing the value of a growth mindset and continuous learning across diverse areas of expertise.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Summer
01What do you attribute your success to?
For me, it's the desire to make a difference and a positive impact on people. I'm not only trying to help myself grow, but to help others grow. That has helped me, I think. It'll take you far.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
To not think your dreams are not possible. I never thought I would be doing this, but here I am. I just stuck with it, and with making connections and keeping a growth mindset, anything's possible. If that's where your passion lies, then just go for it.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
It's a lot of different areas of expertise, and when you're working, and as you move up, you have to have a good understanding of all of them. It's how much you go seek out to learn in these types of fields. The more you widen the scope of your understanding, the easier the job comes and the bigger influence you can have.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Compassion. Obviously competency is important. The growth mindset, always. Be willing to put your stake, but be willing to move it.
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