Jennifer Braggin
Entegris
Billerica, MA USA
"If people had exposure to more things, it would take them less time to find the thing that they’re interested in."
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Jennifer's work combines: Technology, Engineering, and Working with Others
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
There have been many times in my experience where it's obvious that engineering is thought of as a male industry. When I first started my career, I tried to dress similarly to men because when I imagined an engineer, I imagined a man. There was another time when a customer explicitly told me I wouldn't understand his story. Even though I had multiple engineering degrees, he saw me as a woman that wouldn't understand. I have hope that the industry will benefit as more people realize their biases.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Materials Science and Engineering
Lehigh University
Graduate Degree
Engineering Science
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Graduate Degree
Engineering Management
Tufts Gordon Institute
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
I grew up in northern New Jersey.
2.
My father was an engineer and my mother had a Ph.D. in philosophy, and they both encouraged my sister and me to explore math, science, and the natural world around us.
3.
I gravitated toward math and sciences classes throughout middle school and high school.
4.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania.
5.
While working for IBM, I decided to get my master’s degree in engineering science—I love learning and knew the degree would enhance my skills, so going back to school seemed right for me.
6.
After becoming a manager, I wanted to learn more about good management and leadership practices, so I decided to get a second master’s degree in engineering management.
7.
I currently work as a divisional technical communications manager for Entegris, which is a supplier for the semiconductor industry.
8.
In addition to working for Entegris, I’m also a lecturer at the Tufts Gordon Institute at Tufts University, where I teach a course in engineering leadership.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
Engineers are men.
How I responded:
There have been many times in my experience where it's obvious that engineering is thought of as a male industry. When I first started my career, I tried to dress similarly to men because when I imagined an engineer, I imagined a man. There was another time when a customer explicitly told me I wouldn't understand his story. Even though I had multiple engineering degrees, he saw me as a woman that wouldn't understand. I have hope that the industry will benefit as more people realize their biases.