Emily Owensmith
- 1. How did you first hear about SPIE? Emily Owensmith: At my business school, which was specialised in the telecoms sector, I was very involved in organising student life, and in particular I arranged encounters with companies. In this context, I came across SPIE, which seemed to be a dynamic company in which women could have a career in technical areas. As I was very motivated by the idea of becoming a project engineer, I decided at the end of my second year to apply for an internship at SPIE. Tell us about your integration. E.O.: I told them right at the outset that I was interested in becoming a project engineer. So, they offered me a very interesting way of preparing for it by doing a six-month internship. I was working with the ICT solutions architects who deal with the technical side of tenders. This allowed me to build up a network within the company and to learn to work with colleagues as well as outside contacts who are essential when you’re a project engineer carrying out tenders. I learned a lot during the internship, and it gave me a chance to complete my programme with a final international assignment in the Netherlands which is a country where I speak the language. I was given responsibility straight away as a project engineer. This attitude encouraged me to stay and to do a one-year work/study internship. So I was really able to learn the role I have today on a permanent contract. How do you see the future? E.O.: I still have a lot to learn about being a project engineer, which I find really exciting. I’m involved in selling, in profitability studies and in management… I don’t have time to get bored! Later, I would like to take greater responsibility and continue my career abroad. At SPIE, everything is possible if you throw yourself into it. 25-year-old Emily Owensmith is a project engineer in Information Systems and Telecommunications (ICT) at SPIE. She chose this profession, but SPIE ICS gave her the means to succeed. Find more about our job offers on www.spie-job.com/en INTERVIEWS WITHOURSO SPIEPEOPLE “You can do everything at SPIE!”