Vernique Williams

I attribute my success to my grandfather. He was a craftsman who owned his own construction company and started off as a boat maker after being in the Navy. He went to Hampton University. I really contribute my success to him waking me up every morning, even on Saturdays, which I didn't like at the time, but he would quiz me on certain things, quiz me on history, and definitely on math. He always wanted to keep my skills sharpened when it came to my education, and he was a big component in my life, pushing me forward and making sure that I got my education. I would definitely contribute who I am today to my grandfather.

The best career advice I've ever received came from someone when I was having a bad day. They told me, 'Today is today, but the sun has to set, and it has to rise.' I took that to mean that no matter what you're going through that day, the day has to end, and a new day is going to begin. I can start anew. I always remember that when I'm having a bad day, the day is going to end, and a new day is coming, so I'm going to have to reset myself and start a new day. Another piece of advice that really stuck with me is, 'Don't shrink yourself to make others comfortable.' That's been really important to me throughout my career.

Since being in this field for 30 years, I'm now seeing more young women considering or entering into engineering. I want them to know that you definitely belong in this career. This career is not just for a certain type of individual. I need for them to know that talent doesn't look a particular one way. Coming into this arena of being a professional engineer, you're going to need confidence, but you're going to have confidence that's going to grow. Just come in with a little bit of confidence. Be ready to step up and raise your hands for things that feel uncomfortable. Share your ideas. Don't be scared to ask questions. Don't be scared to challenge people's assumptions, but do it respectfully. You will definitely grow to your full potential. There's no particular stereotype that this is a male-dominating field. Think long-term. Don't be afraid to be that one who doesn't know, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Start strategizing. Stay curious. Stay open. Stay curious and stay open. You have to understand that engineering is about solving problems, so that would matter the most. If you're an engineer, you're an individual that wants to solve problems, and you want to make things better. You want to make it safer, or you want to make it sustainable, whatever type of field that you're going in. That would be my one final truth today: that you can be whatever you want to be, do not be afraid, do not be afraid to step up, do not be afraid to ask questions. Remember, you can be an engineer because you can make things better, safer, sustainable, and you'll be excellent in your field.

The biggest challenges in the engineering field right now are around being empathetic. A lot of people are not empathetic leaders in engineering. They just hope, they just... and try to be social. Try to be social. I think that some engineers and their social skills sometimes do not align because they're so technical. So just try to be a little bit open and accepting to different ideas. Don't be defensive when someone challenges you. It's only that they want to know something that they just don't know. They're trying to find an answer or a solution to a problem. So don't be afraid when someone challenges you, but make sure that if they're challenging you, that they're doing it respectfully. I think another challenge, or I should say room for opportunities, being a female engineer, is don't hide away. Don't get pushed to the back. When you sit at the table, sit where everyone can see you, because your voice matters.

The values that are important to me are transparency. I value someone being transparent and not beating around the bushes. I can't take it. Say it to my face, don't smile at my face and then turn around and say it to everybody else. Integrity is so important to me too. Do the right thing, even when it's hard or it goes unnoticed. That's a strong professional thing for me. I love confidence, but I love people with confidence with humility. You've got to have confidence, but have it with humility. I love people who stay open to learning, and that you don't have to know everything, but let it be valuable. Accountability is huge. Own your own work, please! You're going to make mistakes, and accountability means if it doesn't go right, it's okay. You're only human. Don't take it as someone else is doing something when you were involved, and now you want to remove yourself from the mistakes, but you want to be there for the successes. And respect. Respect on a very professional level. Respect.