Our fall intern continued the “Intern Interview Series” created by the young women who interned with Altieri over the summer. Gabriella Messina is a junior at Dartmouth College, majoring in Engineering and minoring in French. With Dartmouth using a quarter semester system, she was able to spend the fall interning with Altieri. Gabriella chose to interview mechanical engineer, Kate Eldridge, PE.
What is your favorite part about being a woman in STEM?
Kate’s favorite part about being a woman in STEM is the self-empowerment. She loves empowering others as well as herself and is constantly proud of what she does. While she loves being a woman in STEM, Kate tries not to think of it as a box – she is also simply an engineer.
What is your favorite part about Mechanical engineering?
Kate explained that one of her favorite parts about being a mechanical engineer is getting to go onsite and seeing all of the little things that go into the creation of a building. While most people look at buildings and see the architecture, as a mechanical engineer, she has a greater appreciation for the small details, like reducing drafts, that make people comfortable and able to enjoy the space.
Kate also loves the puzzle-like aspects of being a mechanical engineer. The size of both the equipment and ductwork lends itself well to puzzles. She explained that every time she routes one thing, she has to make sure it doesn’t impact others, which sometimes means redoing things once she sees them onsite.
Were there any certifications, skills, or classes that have been useful during your career and have helped you to stand out?
No one becomes an engineer because they want to relax, engineers love to challenge themselves.
Kate Eldridge, PE
For Kate, certifications are a way to challenge herself, as each one teaches her something new. She feels that her certifications show that she is continually working to better herself in her field, which helps her stand out. She explained that in male-dominated fields, female employees don’t always receive validation. While she stressed that she doesn’t always need a pat on the back, sometimes it goes a long way, especially as she was finding her footing in the engineering world. She believes that her certifications help give her that validation.
Gabriella’s Reflection
I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with Kate. She helped give me a clearer understanding of the mindset that helps someone grow in engineering. I really appreciated how she shared both the rewarding parts of her work and the challenges she has to navigate, especially in a male dominated field. Her experiences showed me how valuable it is to keep learning, even when the work is demanding or the environment doesn’t offer immediate validation. At the same time, her enthusiasm for the details of her job and the impact her work has on people make what she does even more meaningful. Our conversation reminded me of the combination of skill, confidence, and persistence that drives a successful engineering career.