Resilience and Opportunity: A Black Woman's Engineering Story

19/11/2023 38 min
Resilience and Opportunity: A Black Woman's Engineering Story

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Episode Synopsis

**Show Notes: Get Uncomfortable Podcast Episode with Rochelle Forney****Introduction:**- Host: Adam Smith- Podcast: Get Uncomfortable- Episode Title: "Breaking Biases and Building Resilience: A Black Woman Engineer's Journey"- Guest: Rochelle Forney, Electrical Engineer at Ford Motor Company**Key Points:****1. Introduction to Rochelle Forney:**- Rochelle Forney, an electrical engineer at Ford Motor Company, shares her journey and experiences in the STEM field.- Discussion about the challenges faced by historically marginalized groups in pursuing STEM education and careers.**2. Background and Early Career:**- Rochelle's background as a non-traditional student and a single mother.- Transition from working in the mailroom at First Energy to pursuing engineering.- A pivotal moment with the CEO of First Energy that opened doors for her and changed her life.**3. Academic Challenges and Resilience:**- Discussion about the challenges faced during college, retaking classes, and dealing with biases.- The importance of resilience and the skills acquired from overcoming academic challenges.**4. Creating Community and Support:**- The significance of programs like Choose Ohio First in creating a supportive community for STEM students.- The role of intentional community-building events and mentorship in navigating the challenges of college.**5. Navigating Academic Barriers:**- Advocacy for self in academia and the importance of sharing personal stories to create understanding.- Challenges faced by non-traditional students and the need for educators to consider diverse backgrounds.**6. Transition to Professional Life:**- The distinction between studying engineering and practicing engineering.- Discussion on the importance of soft skills, communication, and interpersonal abilities in the workplace.**7. Facing Corporate Challenges:**- Challenges and biases faced by a black woman in the corporate engineering space.- Overcoming biases by breaking stereotypes and changing perceptions.**8. Advice to Young Professionals:**- Advice for young professionals entering the workforce, including being humble, asking questions, and breaking biases.- The importance of listening to understand and build resilience.**9. Conclusion:**- Gratitude for the opportunities and support received throughout Rochelle's journey.- Closing remarks and encouragement to stay uncomfortable.**Closing:**- Acknowledgment of the podcast's production team.- Call to action for listeners to support the podcast through reviews, emails, or sharing episodes.**Contact Information:**- Host: Adam Smith - https://hearadamspeak.com/- Podcast: Get Uncomfortable - https://getuncomfortablepodcast.com/**Outro:**- Thank you for listening to Get Uncomfortable.- Stay tuned for more uncomfortable conversations and inspiring stories.These show notes provide a concise summary of the podcast episode, highlighting key themes and takeaways for the audience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.