Role Models

Name:
Bernadette

Title:
CNC Programmer/machinist,make components from
steel on computerized vertical machining centers.

Path:
High school attended was a trade and technical H.S
that at up until 1975 was the "Milwaukee Public
school of trades for boys", took machine shop and 
got A's and B's went into the Navy as a machinist
after H.S. and then I stayed working in shipyards
and machine shops in Norfolk Virginia.Carolina and 
finally back home to Milwaukee.

Comments:
I would learn the basics of machining first,but 
I would try to find a school that has a cad/cam
course and just make drawings and tool paths until
you get really good at it.No two shops are alike
and if you have at least a class or two behind you
you at least will have an idea of what you'll have 
to learn.The odds that you'll find a shop with the 
same software as the class you take are slim. But
it' where the moneys at and also the challenges. 

More comments:

A lot of companies have their engineers make the cnc 
programs but as technology and software became easier 
to use,it was found that the machinist knew how to do 
this and actually do it even better as we already know 
what the tool paths and sequencing of the tools to 
make the part should be,therefore making us more 
efficient.  What used to be a day long event and having 
to have to change programs bacause of errors now only 
takes a matter of minutes depending  on how fast
you can make a drawing and the program tool paths.

Most men in machining consider women in this field 
very threatening and and I would suggest one have a 
very strong personality to endure the personal 
conflicts that go along with "working in this mans 
field" on this I could and and maybe will write a 
book on ...

I would want women to know that if they got into 
the trades that it either will make you alittle rough 
around the edges or you will probably fail to stay in 
it.It is the only way to stay sane when you have so 
many people in society that feel that women are the 
strangers and unable to do these jobs.They wait for 
you to fail so that they can say we told you so. Im 
getting older, Im actually very tired of fighting 
anymore.I went back to school for computer programing.
So maybe one day I can wear nice clothes to work and 
grow my nails.Maybe one day Ill be a very mechanically 
inclined secretary or something.Have to work on my 
disposition though.Too many years of working around 
rough guys and shipyards.Im only 34 but it is hard on 
the body also. I have a disk out of my back and I know 
that I cant do this forever.I would only suggest that 
women pursue these careers to give them knowledge and 
experience.But plan long range goals that would use it 
as a tool to make there jobs easier,engineer or whatever.  
Its always good to have been there done that.