Heather Eason
Founder, President & CEO
SELECT Power Systems
Blacksburg, SC USA
“Don't give up on your dreams just because you haven't seen someone do it. You can be the first.”
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
I found out I was going to have a son when I was 16. My first hurdle was graduating high school.
After high school, college wasn't an option. I had to focus on being the best mom I could be and financially providing for us.
When I was able to start college, I was 21. I took two years of chemical engineering at USC Upstate. When it came time to go to USC to finish my last two years, that wasn't an option for me.
I changed majors to electrical engineering and started the over an hour drive up I-85 to UNC Charlotte. Due to work, family, and changing majors it took me four additional years to graduate.
I worked at the local textile plant, but with NAFTA most locations were closing. I knew this wasn't going to be a stable career path, so I made a change to Space & Naval Warfare Systems.
By this time I was married with four kids and constant travel wasn't an option, so I finally landed in the power industry. My forever career.
Education
High School
Bachelor
BSEE
UNC Charlotte
BSEE
UNC Charlotte
Career
Founder, President & CEO
I design and build the power grid.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Engineering
Environment & Nature
Building Things
Day to Day
One of the things I love about being a power engineer is that my day isn't standard. It is always interesting and exciting. Some days I'm in the field, some days I'm looking at new technology, other days I'm designing, but at the end of it all I get to point at something I created that makes a difference in people's lives. The power system should be secure, sustainable, affordable, and reliable for the future of our energy needs. We do that. We are the #powertomakeadifference.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Bachelor
BSEE
BSEE
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Peers:
"You can't start your own engineering firm. There are too many barriers to entry. You needed too much capital and other companies will see you as competition and block your growth. Simply put, it can no longer be done in this industry."
Challenges I Overcame
First-Generation College Student
