You are Not the Only One
You are Not the Only One
“When you are the only one in the room, you feel as if all eyes are on you and you’re under a higher level of scrutiny because you are different,” says Laura Wilde, Vice President of Quality at Ultra Maritime and Secretary of the WiM Education Foundation Board of Directors. “There can be a fear that your differences are negative when in reality those diversity of thoughts ultimately result in a more holistic solution.”
In 1998 Laura walked onto the shop floor for the first time, acutely aware she was the only woman clocking in for the 3rd shift for her job as a production/quality technician - an isolating and all-too-familiar reality for many women working in manufacturing.
As much as she enjoyed the work and the opportunities within the industry, she was missing a true network of peers – a space to feel comfortable sharing experiences, exchanging ideas, and growing professionally.
Laura went looking for a community.
“It honestly just started with a web search. I knew I couldn’t be the only one who feels this way and I was looking for more opportunities to see how I could learn best practices, or new skills, and to network. As soon as I found WiM, I knew it was perfect,” she recalls. “Now, I may be the only one in the room, but I know I’m not the only one.”
With WiM, Laura appreciates that a woman at any point in her career has the chance to learn from industry leaders through year-round programming including chapter events, conferences, and education programs through the WiM Education Foundation.
“Any opportunity to learn is invaluable, that’s why I’m so attached to the WiM Education Foundation,” she says. “It’s tangible. It’s something you can learn right there. We provide an avenue and opportunity for women to learn and grow their careers that they might not have otherwise. Trying to build your career in the midst of your life is a challenge, and if you can find a way to do that that fits your life, it makes that so much easier.”
Over the last five years, more than 20,000 women have participated in the monthly Virtual Learning Series, more than 1,000 women have graduated from WiM Education Foundation programs, and WiM’s annual SUMMIT has become a must-attend industry event.
“I wish I could bottle it, how I feel when I come back from the WiM SUMMIT,” says Laura. “So empowered! You go from being the only one in the room to being one of 2,000. It really reminds me how impactful I can be, as an individual, to my own ecosystem.”
At this point in her career, Laura is focused on helping other women find success in the manufacturing industry. Through mentorship, speaking engagements, and financial contributions, she is a dedicated leader and a champion for growing WiM’s community of support.
“I had some really awesome mentors. And any time you ask a good mentor ‘how can I repay you?’ a good mentor will tell you to do the same thing for someone else. WiM is a vehicle that enables that to happen. What really excites me about the WiM Education Foundation is the commitment to helping those who are at the beginning, and the only one in the room, and supporting them.”
On GivingTuesday, the WiM community is participating in the global generosity movement with a very special gift from Laura who is offering to match all GivingTuesday gifts to the WiM Education Foundation up to $5,000. This generous gift is Laura’s way of giving back to the community that has given her a place to feel at home.
“I get really excited about manufacturing,” she says. “WIM has given me a place to share that excitement. We’ve really been able to tell people, ‘Hey, you aren’t the only one in the world doing this. You might be the only one in the room, but you aren’t the only one.’”
Click here to learn more about the Women in Manufacturing Education Foundation.
Click here to donate to the Women in Manufacturing Education Foundation.