Engineer of the Week – Beatriz Gonzales
Our Engineer of the week series is dedicated to inspiring future engineers by increasing their understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers. They are essential to our business, and we proudly celebrate their accomplishments.
Beatriz Gonzalez, our Engineer of the week, has been in the industry for many years. With her experience in operations, Beatriz continues to showcase her leadership skills and passion throughout her time here at InSource Solutions. With every day different, she enjoys the daily challenges the industry presents, from changing the mindset of factory leaders to helping them get the positive results of digitally transforming their factory. With her inspiration coming from her dad, it is no wonder that she has excelled in her career, not only in the industry but as a leader. Learn more about Beatriz and her journey to becoming an engineer.
What inspired you to become an Engineer and pursue a career in Manufacturing?
My interest in operations and manufacturing came from growing up in that environment. My dad had a very successful business selling hats, and my siblings and I worked at his company to earn our way to school and entertainment. Reflecting on those memories, it was an essential life lesson that taught me how to work with people, share, and teach them to be successful. My parents encouraged us to be professionals because they were not and instilled the desire to go to college and study any field we wanted. Because I grew up in that environment, I encouraged my kids to go to college, and 2 of my grown children are Chemical Engineers, and one is a Health Science professional. I decided to continue my studies and achieved an MBA in Business, which gave me even more tools to understand the Manufacturing and financial field and what companies need to do to grow. If companies don’t change as the world evolves into new technology, new companies will emerge and take over, and companies that decided not to change will be forced to close operations.
What do you like about being an engineer in the manufacturing industry?
The industry provides challenges and different dynamics every day. The most significant challenge in the manufacturing environment is dealing with the leadership team, but it has the most rewarding outcome. Depending on the manufacturer, the leadership team can be hard to convince to invest in digitally transforming their factory. This is where I come in; if the factory team has issues with productivity or engagement, I encourage them to talk about their problems, take action to improve their behaviors, and face the challenges as they move forward.
Experience in the different manufacturing sectors, like the Chemical, Pharmaceutical, and Food & Beverage, gave me the knowledge to apply my skills in any position while teaching others about processes and how to be more efficient and productive in their career. I am passionate about working in an environment where I can help others to succeed, and it satisfies me when I can help others become better leaders; it is not about me but the group I lead. No matter the industry, I step into that company to improve the team.
What is that one thing that inspires you professionally every day?
It is incredible to see what can be accomplished by working together and sharing ideas while making friends. My leadership style allows me to make a difference in people’s careers. Seeing how much your team will grow when you listen to and coach them is surprising. Your team will love that you hear, understand, and genuinely care about them.
What is that one piece of advice you would give someone pursuing a career in Manufacturing but is still deciding about it?
You can see the result of your hard work in this industry. Working in manufacturing keeps you active and offers several avenues for growth and development. Reflecting on myself and my career, I always see myself at a higher level despite challenges, such as difficult Plant Leaders or Leadership. In the end, the outcome of the challenge is met with a positive result.
We find a new appreciation for the work and skills our engineers bring to InSource Solutions as we learn more about them. Their passion for growth within themselves and their team is unparalleled. Stay tuned as we continue this series.