IME Senior Named an Outstanding Woman in Engineering & Technology

Megan McIntyre thinks women can shape the future of engineering – and she intends to be at the forefront of that future.

Recently named one of five Outstanding Women in Engineering & Technology by Cal Poly Society of Women Engineers, McIntrye seems to epitomize the current generation of energized young women who are entering the field of engineering.

As a member of the academically prestigious Mortar Board, McIntyre will address problems affecting students at Cal Poly with President Jeffrey D. Armstrong. She is also active in Tao Beta Pi, the national engineering honor society, and recently volunteered at a middle school to present industrial engineering concepts.

"I used an airplane assembly line to demonstrate when a process does or does not flow well," she said. "My volunteer opportunities with both Mortar Board and Tao Beta Pi have taught me that education does not stop with what you know – it's also about spreading knowledge."

Asked about the highlights of her IME education, McIntyre said a recent highlight was coordinating the upcoming three-day regional American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) conference. Another involved facilitating an IME 223 lab with instructor Karen Bangs. "These experiences made me realize that students are often in a comfort zone of what they know is possible," said McIntyre. "Pushing yourself outside your comfort zone is what ultimately makes innovative and experienced engineers."

A graduating senior, McIntyre has already signed on for a two-year professional position with Abbott Labs, where she interned for two summers. Her completion of a project to save five days of processing time in Abbott's Business Excellence Department earned her a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.

After she gets more real life experience under her belt, McIntyre intends to go after an MBA degree. Eventually, she wants to be "one of many in a generation of women who are running companies in the United States."

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Return to the Winter 2012 Newsletter.