Kori Hickle, PE, senior electrical project engineer in our Omaha studio, has seen the environment for women in engineering improve a lot during her career. Years of hard work and finding her voice have helped her become known as a person who gets things done. Get to know her this Women’s History Month.

Q:   Discuss some of the challenges you have experienced as a woman in your field, and how you have overcome them.

A:   People assume you’re not the one in charge. I remember at my first job I answered the phone and the guy on the other end got mad and said he told the receptionist he wanted to talk to the engineer on the project, not the engineer’s secretary. That was 20 years ago; things have gotten a lot better. Working hard, believing in my abilities and finding my voice soon led to me being the one people asked for to get things done.

Q:   What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

A:   Don’t give excuses, give solutions. If you make a mistake, don’t make excuses for why it happened, figure out a solution to fix it.

Q:   What book is on your nightstand?

A:   Eat That Frog: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time

Q:   Do you have any rules or philosophies that steer you in design and/or career?

A:   Challenge how things are typically done. Too often engineers become content with how things have always been done; we need to continue pushing forward.

Q:   What words of advice do you have for passionate young women early in their career?

A:   There will be roadblocks along the way but stay the course and you’ll overcome them and come out stronger. Don’t be afraid to speak up and be heard.

Q:   How do you practice self-care?

A:   I try to get eight hours of sleep at night, which is sometimes hard to do with two toddlers at home.