Emily first heard about SPIE while organizing student life at her business school specialized in telecom. SPIE seemed like a dynamic company where women could have technical careers, so she applied for an internship. Her internship gave her experience in technical proposals and networking within SPIE. She was then given responsibility as a project engineer in the Netherlands. Emily sees an exciting future learning as a project engineer with opportunities for greater responsibility and career abroad, as SPIE allows employees to pursue different opportunities.

1. How did you first hear about SPIE?
Emily Owensmith: At my business school, which was specialised in the telecoms sector,
I was very involved in organising student life, and in particular I arranged encounters with
companies. In this context, I came across SPIE, which seemed to be a dynamic company
in which women could have a career in technical areas. As I was very motivated by the idea
of becoming a project engineer, I decided at the end of my second year to apply for an
internship at SPIE.
Tell us about your integration.
E.O.: I told them right at the outset that I was interested in becoming a project engineer.
So, they offered me a very interesting way of preparing for it by doing a six-month internship.
I was working with the ICT solutions architects who deal with the technical side of tenders.
This allowed me to build up a network within the company and to learn to work with
colleagues as well as outside contacts who are essential when you’re a project engineer
carrying out tenders. I learned a lot during the internship, and it gave me a chance to
complete my programme with a final international assignment in the Netherlands which
is a country where I speak the language. I was given responsibility straight away as a project
engineer. This attitude encouraged me to stay and to do a one-year work/study internship.
So I was really able to learn the role I have today on a permanent contract.
How do you see the future?
E.O.: I still have a lot to learn about being a project engineer, which I find really exciting.
I’m involved in selling, in profitability studies and in management… I don’t have time
to get bored! Later, I would like to take greater responsibility and continue my career
abroad. At SPIE, everything is possible if you throw yourself into it.
25-year-old Emily Owensmith is a project engineer in Information Systems
and Telecommunications (ICT) at SPIE.
She chose this profession, but SPIE ICS gave her the means to succeed.
Find more about our job offers on www.spie-job.com/en
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