Her Story
About Teresa
I've been in my current field 37 years. I started on the ground floor as an entry-level inspector, worked my way up to technician doing paperwork and calibrations. Then I went to school and became an engineer. I got 5 professional certifications. Then I started going more into auditing, training, and management systems. A typical day involves handling customer complaints, internal issues in the manufacturing facility, doing internal audits, and supplier assessments and auditing. My most notable achievement is becoming a fellow in my field, which is the highest rank requiring at least 15 years experience, corporate management, teaching or publishing, various memberships, peer nomination, and board review. I failed three times before achieving it.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Teresa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to having very good mentors who have not let me give up, and being very tenacious. I don't take no for an answer, as my husband tells me.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Don't let anybody tell you that you can't do it. I learned that probably 20 years ago.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't let anyone tell you you can't do this because you're a female. If you truly want to do something in this field, go for that benchmark against what you need to do. Look for what this type of work requires and go out and get that skill set.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Finding people that want to do it, especially the younger generation not entering the industry as much. Having organizations understand why quality and risk mitigation matter, not just getting the product or service out but making sure it is done right.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Quality is important in everything you do, even in your personal life. As a quality professional, you have to look at risks, mitigation, ethics. Getting the product out the door makes you money, but you have to get it out right.
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