Kerry Pianoforte, Editor11.02.21
CW: What is your educational experence regarding STEM?
Ogden: I graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry in 2011. I started my career with a small company in Birmingham, Alabama, called WST, Inc. where I ran chemical analysis for water treatment and oil and gas applications. In 2014, I moved to Huntsville, Alabama, to work for Kennametal running XRF, DCP, SEM, AA, and several physical tests on tungsten and tungsten carbide powder.
CW: What is your role at LINE-X?
Ogden: In 2018, I started working with LINE-X, LLC as a Senior Product Development Associate running analysis on wet samples and physical testing on cured products as well as developing new products with her team. I now serve as the Quality Manager for LINE-X’s ISO 17025 certified laboratory.
CW: What is it like being a female in a male dominated industry (science/auto)?
Ogden: Growing up, my parents never told me that I couldn’t be a scientist just because I was a girl. They served as a great support system and instilled in me that I could do anything I set my mind to. When I began pursuing a future in STEM, I never let stereotypes or preconceived notions get in my way. On occasion, I look around the room and realize I am one of the few women in there, if not the only one. It makes me very proud to be a woman in the industry and it makes me want to perform at an even higher standard. I’m very fortunate to work with a team of guys who have never made me feel like I don’t belong. I am one of the team, and that’s that. There is no question of whether I belong where I am.
CW: What advice can you offer other women looking to break into the industry?
Ogden: Be yourself, show great work ethic, and do not give in to doubtful thoughts of whether or not you belong based solely on the fact that you’re a woman. I believe if you go in with the mindset of “Why wouldn’t I belong here?” you already have less external doubts. As Sally Ride said, “I didn’t succumb to the stereotype that science wasn’t for girls.”
I want to encourage women -- and especially young girls -- to follow their dreams wherever that may take them! Science is a fun and ever-changing field, and I’d love to see more women starting careers in STEM. I’m most definitely biased in saying so, but it’s
the best discipline to work in!
Ogden: I graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry in 2011. I started my career with a small company in Birmingham, Alabama, called WST, Inc. where I ran chemical analysis for water treatment and oil and gas applications. In 2014, I moved to Huntsville, Alabama, to work for Kennametal running XRF, DCP, SEM, AA, and several physical tests on tungsten and tungsten carbide powder.
CW: What is your role at LINE-X?
Ogden: In 2018, I started working with LINE-X, LLC as a Senior Product Development Associate running analysis on wet samples and physical testing on cured products as well as developing new products with her team. I now serve as the Quality Manager for LINE-X’s ISO 17025 certified laboratory.
CW: What is it like being a female in a male dominated industry (science/auto)?
Ogden: Growing up, my parents never told me that I couldn’t be a scientist just because I was a girl. They served as a great support system and instilled in me that I could do anything I set my mind to. When I began pursuing a future in STEM, I never let stereotypes or preconceived notions get in my way. On occasion, I look around the room and realize I am one of the few women in there, if not the only one. It makes me very proud to be a woman in the industry and it makes me want to perform at an even higher standard. I’m very fortunate to work with a team of guys who have never made me feel like I don’t belong. I am one of the team, and that’s that. There is no question of whether I belong where I am.
CW: What advice can you offer other women looking to break into the industry?
Ogden: Be yourself, show great work ethic, and do not give in to doubtful thoughts of whether or not you belong based solely on the fact that you’re a woman. I believe if you go in with the mindset of “Why wouldn’t I belong here?” you already have less external doubts. As Sally Ride said, “I didn’t succumb to the stereotype that science wasn’t for girls.”
I want to encourage women -- and especially young girls -- to follow their dreams wherever that may take them! Science is a fun and ever-changing field, and I’d love to see more women starting careers in STEM. I’m most definitely biased in saying so, but it’s
the best discipline to work in!