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Dot Chesire
Occupation: Director of Product Engineering
Starting Salary: $20,000/yr
Top Salary: $40,000+/yr
"Focus on getting your degree to open up the opportunities; then use the time on the job to pick your career, demonstrate your abilities, and gain the recognition you need to get what you want."
"What I taught myself," says Dot, "is to have fun at what you are doing. If you are considering a career in technology, you should get a general background and a 'feel' for the technology. Find out if you like it! Learn the basics, and get your foot in the door, leaving yourself open for opportunities."
| Name | City / State | Occupation | Company | Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dot Chesire | Scituate, RI | Director of Product Engineering | Foxboro | CCRI - AS in Electronic Technology and Process Technology; University of Rhode Island - BS in Industrial Technology; Bryant College - MBA Engineering |
| Industry | Years in Field | Ethnicity | Age | Professional Associations: |
| Process Automation | 15 | Caucasian | 46 | None |
How I Did it...............YOU CAN DO IT!
Getting started: Eighteen years ago, Dot was the sole support for a young daughter. She was determined to give her daughter the security and advantages that a good yearly income can provide. As a factory worker, Dot was earning approximately $16,000 a year. She needed more and knew she could get it with a college degree.
Education: By working the night shift and going to school during the day, Dot pursued a two-year dual degree in electronic technology and process technology at CCRI. Her experiences at CCRI got her $20,000 a year and opened her eyes to the opportunities in process technology. CCRI showed Dot the potential of higher-end manufacturing. CCRI gave Dot the fundamentals that helped her "get her foot in the door" at a process automation company. After CCRI, Dot transferred her CCRI credits towards a 4-year degree in Industrial Technology at Rhode Island University. With a B.S. on her resume, Dot began the climb up the management ladder. By responding to internal job posting and making the most of her employee evaluations, Dot was able to advance from an entry level administrative position to a directorship while tripling her salary within 12 years. Dot continues her "on-the-job" career education as well as her pursuit of "bankable" degrees. She obtained her Masters in Business Administration from Bryant College in 1999.
Greatest Professional Accomplishment: Dot moved from an hourly wage position to a salaried directorship; she advanced from a member of the line to directing a group of 40 people who provide sustaining engineering of process products. Additionally, she suggested to upper management that Foxboro integrate workers from Latin American countries into the Rhode Island work force to improve responsiveness to customers in South America. By integrating individuals from Venezuela, Guatemala, and other countries into the customer service organization, Foxboro was able to provide better products and smoother, cost-efficient operation. Dot helped her company, her coworkers, and Foxboro's international customers.
Barriers for Dot included being the only woman in her classes and the associated intimidation factor, as well as being older and the sole support for her family; oh, and having a full-time job! She was strongly motivated, however; more so than her younger counterparts. As a result, she viewed what others would call barriers as just part of the overall "life learning experience."
Dot admits that she likely has worked harder than men who have held the same job titles. But she views that, in part, as being associated with her overall strong motivation to succeed. She reads industry publications and attends seminars and training classes to remain abreast of changes or advances in process automation. She also keeps an open mind about learning something new everyday on the job. In her position of authority, she recognizes the need to lead and make decisions. But she also recognizes the need to let others contribute. She knows that she doesn't have to have all of the answers all of the time. Perhaps this is a good lesson for us all to learn.
Working with men has been a way of life for Dot. She believes that in a male-dominated profession, you need to become "one of the boys" without wanting to be a boy. You are a woman. Use that to your advantage. Dot urges, "Don't try to act like a man, because that doesn't work. Sometimes it doesn't even work for men! So try not to be pushy. Recognize that men and women are different, and that this is a good thing!"
Advice for Women: While the classroom and her degrees earned her the opportunity, Dot believes that she has learned more on the job. Dot recommends, "Focus on getting your degree to open up the opportunities; then use the time on the job to pick your career, demonstrate your abilities, and gain the recognition you need to get what you want."
Typical Workday/Work Environment: Dot's typical day involves managing 40 software and hardware engineers in correcting defects to products and troubleshooting process automation systems. She is responsible for budgeting and spends approximately fifty percent of her time in meetings. She meets with other divisions within her company as well as meeting directly with customers to discuss specific process automation problems. Typical customers include petroleum companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and other process-oriented industries. The overall office is casual, although jeans are discouraged.
Career Ladder: Starting salary for an entry-level position in process automation is $20,000. A two-year degree increases income to $25-30,000 and a 4-year degree starts at $40,000. Higher-end management positions range, starting around $50,000 to $60,000/year. Foxboro has an employee evaluation program to help both the employee and the company set goals and recognize employees for their leadership and managerial abilities as well as their technical achievements.
Hobbies: Dot loves to travel when she isn't spending time with her 16-month old grandson, her daughter and her son-in-law. Family is very important to Dot, and dedication to family was the primary motivator for her from the beginning.
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