Women In Engineering Profile: Tuesday Kuykendall
This profile series introduces leading materials scientists from around the world who happen to be females. Here we speak with Tuesday Kuykendall, manager of laboratory services at Jensen Hughes, Mountlake Terrace, Wash.
What does your typical workday look like?
I check emails, work on a number of writing projects, and help as needed with laboratory related things such as experiment setup, instrument calibrations, and upload data loggers. Each day is a little different. I have a number of projects I’m working on but I’m also always available to help.
What part of your job do you like most?
Working on and leading projects that will help my clients (our engineers) be more productive and create high quality results. And I get to keep learning.
What is your greatest professional achievement?
Building undergraduate labs in MSE. However, I hope that my greatest achievement, whatever that might be, is still ahead of me.
What is your engineering background?
I’m more scientist than engineer. I have a bachelor’s degree in physics and a master’s in materials science.
What attracted you to engineering?
It’s fun! I love making things and solving problems.
Did you ever consider doing something else with your life besides engineering?
Yes, I wanted to be a particle physicist.
Best career advice, given or received?
No matter what path you are on, you can still be successful if you look for open doors (or windows) and go through them, because you always come out on the other side.
What are you working on now?
Building and integrating diverse laboratories to make them consistent. Also, ISO 17025 accreditation.
Finish this sentence: Women in materials engineering are…
…part of the fastest growing sorority of engineers, and we’re rocking it!
Hobbies?
Reading, hiking, writing, traveling.
Do you know someone who should be featured in an upcoming Women in Engineering profile? Contact Vicki Burt at [email protected].
