Nicole Mathieu, Inside Sales Engineer, maxon
B.S. Mechanical Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Nicole graduated from Umass Dartmouth with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 2020. During her time as a student, she completed an internship at Night Vision Technology Solutions in Jamestown, RI where she created 3D rendered images of night vision cameras used in combat. She began her professional career March of 2021 at Maxon Group Inc. in Taunton, MA. At maxon she works as an Inside Sales Engineer where she acts as a technical and sales support to the outside sales team and small accounts for 4 territories (Midwest, Upper East, Central and Mexico). Outside of the office, she participated as a panel member for a Society of Women in Engineering event this past May where she was able to be the person she once needed.
Talk about the culture at your company. What makes it inclusive or supportive of women in engineering and automation?
A main thing I would say about maxon is that they do not hold you back, they want you to succeed and provide you with the tools and support to do so. Anytime you need help or clarification there is always someone there to jump in. I was able to be mentored by various people at my company where they took the time out of their day to help me grow as an employee as well as a person. We have an amazing Women in Engineering program where we do quarterly meetings with the women globally at our company. This group allows us all to connect, lean on each other for support and share our experiences.
What first drew you to engineering and this industry?
I have loved math and problem solving since my first algebra class. To me, math problems felt like a puzzle where it was fun to do and only had one answer. I am also a very high energy person so when I was able to zone out while doing math and just focus on one thing, it felt nice. I later took physics in high school and one project was to design and build a roller coaster. I instantly loved it because I was able to use math to create something. With my love of math and coming from a family of engineers it felt natural to go down the engineering path. I loved the concept of ideas becoming reality and being able to be a part of that process. I chose mechanical engineering because it was the broadest, it came with a lot of opportunities and options when selecting a job focus. I was drawn to sales engineering because I was able to use problem solving as well as channel my extroverted personality when it came to the sales end. Working in the motion control industry, I can communicate with customers to find out their application needs, help find them a solution and see their ideas come to life. I find it to be rewarding both personally and professionally.
What career advice would I give my younger self?
If I could tell the younger version of myself anything it is to simply see it through. No matter how hard something gets or how many times you stumble, never forget why you started. Always believe in yourself even when it seems impossible. Success is on the other side you must keep going to be able to achieve it.
Filed Under: Engineering Diversity & Inclusion
