Women In Engineering Profile: Karen Sabo
This profile series introduces leading materials scientists from around the world who happen to be females. Here we speak with Karen Sabo, senior staff engineer, Honda of America Mfg. Inc. in Marysville, Ohio.
What does your typical workday look like?
My day starts at 5:30 a.m. and every day is different. It includes teaching, quality investigations, quality improvements, working with suppliers and, of course, meetings.
What part of your job do you like most?
I like the people and working with them daily. I work with a combination of engineers and non-engineers daily but each person has their own strengths and brings something to the table. One of the things I really like at Honda is that everyone is willing to help each other and find a solution to issues or problems. The other part of the job I love is that I am continuously learning. Every day, I feel I am learning something new. The days go by so quickly!
What is your greatest professional achievement?
Being the first woman assistant chief inspection engineer at the Honda Motorcycle plant. To put it simply, I was responsible for the quality of the entire plant. I really learned a lot in that position and got to work with many different people in different areas. Because the plant was very compact, if I didn’t understand a report, it was easy to just go out to the line and talk with the experts.
What attracted you to engineering?
I took a freshman seminar at the University of Pittsburgh on different types of engineering. They had me hooked with the hands-on approach in metallurgy. The labs were enjoyable from casting and welding to metallography and helped emphasize the theory learned in class.
Best career advice, given or received
As an engineer, always have a backup plan if something goes wrong or takes a different path on a project you are working on, so you can be prepared.
Finish this sentence: Women in materials engineering are…
…the most amazing and well-rounded individuals and always up for a challenge.
Favorite motto or quote?
Keep it simple. Do what you love. Love what you do!
Do you know someone who should be featured in an upcoming Women in Engineering profile? Contact Vicki Burt at [email protected].
