- Please share some detail about your current role
I have recently started a position as a Staff Systems Engineer in the Timing Division, where I work with clock generators, buffers and oscillators for applications like PCIe in data centers. In this role, I act as a bridge between marketing and design, gathering customer requirements and translating them into actionable specifications for the design team to implement. Prior to this, I was part of the System Validation Team within the Timing Division, where we focused on validating new timing silicon and the IEEE 1588 software implementation on Renesas devices.
- What do you love most about what you do and what brought you to the industry?
What I love most about this job is the depth of technical exploration it offers. Just when I think I’ve figured something out, I uncover two more layers of detail to dive into. I also truly enjoy working with my colleagues—everyone is exceptionally smart, highly qualified, and always willing to help. It’s great to have so many resources available to ask questions and discuss the projects I’m working on. My favorite tasks are those that allow me to get hands-on in the lab, build test jigs, run experiments, investigate issues, and analyze data. I came into the industry seeking a more technical challenge, and I’ve certainly found that at Renesas.
- Have you had any mentors or role models who have influenced your professional journey?
My most significant role models are my parents, especially my mom. Before retiring, she was a chemical engineer, and I had the privilege of watching her work as I grew up. My dad, an electrical and agricultural engineer, also set a strong example. With both of them in engineering, it never occurred to me that I couldn’t or wouldn’t pursue the same path—it was simply expected! My mom took on many roles, both as an engineer and a manager, and she continues to be an invaluable sounding board whenever I face challenges in my career.
- What advice would you give to aspiring women in the industry?
Always say yes to new opportunities, even if they push you outside your comfort zone. You’re smart enough to figure it out and excel. I started with a degree in Aerospace Engineering and work experience as a robotics technician and technical support specialist—fields that were fairly unrelated to semiconductors. However, when the opportunity arose to join Renesas and enter the semiconductor industry, I took it, and I’ve found it both fascinating and a great learning experience.
- How do you balance your personal and professional lives?
The key to maintaining balance in my personal and professional life is scheduling everything. I add all my hobbies and social commitments to my calendar alongside work meetings, ensuring I have full visibility of how my time is allocated. I sing and volunteer with two choirs, serving as the manager for one and the committee chair for the other, so I have numerous meetings, rehearsals, and performances to coordinate. Additionally, I’m an avid back-country canoer and took five trips this summer, including one that covered 92 km in three days. I even convinced a few colleagues from Renesas to join me on these adventures. The visibility my calendar provides helps me recognize when I’m becoming too busy, allowing me to adjust by reducing social commitments or scheduling a vacation day.
- What are your key takeaways from this year’s WISH Conference?
One of the key takeaways from this conference is the importance of mentors and role models in the workplace, and how to transform them into advocates. Another unexpected insight is how success is surprisingly linked to knowing how to milk a cow. Fortunately, I’m in luck—I previously worked as a robotics technician on milking robots, so I really do know how to milk a cow!