Spotlight: Charise Stevens

How were you introduced to engineering?
My parents did a lot of things to encourage my sister and I to succeed in STEM. They bought us some of the very first home computers (Commodore 64 with a Tape drive!) and said, “Get your education so you don’t have to depend on anyone else.” My parents always encouraged math and science extracurriculars, which led my sister to major in computer science, and I was not going to be outdone by her! So, I sought out STEM camps and competitions in middle and high school.

What do you do at Honeywell today as a Principal Project Engineer?
I am in Engineering Operations, which is a part of Product Support Engineering, and work on the systems, tools, and processes that support engineers that are doing the work that puts products in our customers’ hands. I’m excited to work with my fellow engineers here at Honeywell, and our internal methods and tools are vitally important to our working smarter, faster, and leaner as we innovate the future.

What advice do you have for aspiring engineers?
Listen more. Trust your instincts more. Pursuing facts and experience is good but also pursue mentors and people who challenge you (including those whom you don’t always agree with).

What’s the most helpful advice you’ve received from a mentor?
What you seek is already a part of you. If you understand the goal, then you can get it once you apply yourself appropriately. The goal is not the achievement, learning how to apply yourself is the achievement.

You’re an active member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), which seeks "to increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community." How has that impacted your career journey?
NSBE has offered me access to professional peers. Access to peers nationally has been a huge resource for me professionally. I have had the opportunity to encourage the next generation in STEM on occasion and I honestly find I am more inspired by them.

What do you do for fun?
I am a social swing dancer and an occasional actor. I’ve learned a lot about communication in these hobbies that I use in my work.

What’s the last podcast you listened to?
Freakanomics

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