SmartSky Networks’ Dana Kirchmar came to engineering through serendipity. Now she wants to get girls excited about engineering careers, and for the aviation industry to appreciate the unique skillset that they bring to the table.
People are surprised when they find out I'm an engineer, says Kirchmar, who serves as VP customer support operations at SmartSky Networks.
She started her career at Martin Marietta in 1987 after graduating from college, and people are surprised even now. She sat in launch control and said "no go" when asked if her system was working.
Outside of the computer science building at Colorado State University, Kirchmar began his professional journey.
The SmartSky executive said that he liked computer programing using punch cards. He asked if I was good at math. He said I should consider electrical engineering because I would get an engineering education but still be a programmer.
I owe that guy a debt of gratitude, because it was just dumb luck that I would become an electrical engineer. I have been able to meet people and work hands-on with airplanes instead of spending most of my career at a computer.
Dana is the VP customer support operations. The image is from Mariah Ehlert Photography.
Only three girls in the class of 100 graduated. She was part of a small minority in her first job.
Was it hard?
Yes and, in retrospect, more yes. I was only 24 years old and I didn't really know what I was doing.
She agrees that the attitudes of her male colleagues needed to change, but she also agrees that her own attitudes needed to change as well. She says there is still a long way to go to achieve gender equality. It's better, but we have more work to do.
Showing girls and young women role models like Kirchmar and exposing them to the opportunities available in science, technology, engineering and mathematics is critical to that work.
The arts have been shown to improve creativity and innovation. It develops flexibility.
The Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum is dedicated to encouraging the next generation of females into aviation and space. She is happy that its program reaches both parents and educators.
She says that we need to figure out how to get children interested, how to keep them interested and then show them what the career path looks like.
While she believes in STEAM for all, she says that the benefits of feminine skills in engineering need to be recognized. Photography image.
Dana is happy in her career. She worked on the Space Shuttle and on various flight tests, and now she is looking forward to helping SmartSky move into its operational phase.
Outside of her job, she is working on a mentoring program for girls, and is turning her many stories into a book.
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The image is credited to Allée Photography.
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