Name: Erin Webb
Age: 33
Job Title and Description: James Dyson Foundation Manager. I develop programs and workshops to help teachers and students dispel the myth that engineering is boring.
College/Major: University of South Florida/International Relations
Website: www.jamesdysonfoundation.com
Twitter Handle: @JDF
What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?
Erin Webb: I work with an amazing team to help inspire the next generation of engineers. There is definitely no such thing as a typical day, but I love that. It challenges me to think on my feet, which is incredibly motivating.
What is the best part of your job?
EW: The students. I am constantly amazed at the ideas and creativity young minds possess. A five year-old student in a JDF workshop once showed me a line drawing. I thought it was cute until he explained that it was a garbage flush and then proceeded to build it out of cardboard. Proof that children need space to actively problem-solve and create.
What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?
EW: I did a handful of things before finding my way into nonprofit, including working as a sales manager in the field for Dyson. My job was to explain Dyson technology, which eventually led to the creation a comic book. The book somehow landed in the right hands and [allowed me] to launch and develop the James Dyson Foundation in the United States.
What is one thing you wish you knew about your industry when you first started out that you know now?
EW: You can always be too idealistic, but you can never be too practical. It took me a while to learn this in the nonprofit world.
Who is one person who changed your professional life for the better?
EW: Despite the cliché, I give credit to my father. He worked for years to earn his engineering degree and supported my family with a full time job. Perseverance goes a long way.
Many believe that engineering is a male-dominated industry. What do you think about this notion and how can our readers get ahead in this field?
EW: Engineering is one of the most exciting careers, and it’s certainly not just for the boys. Design engineering is highly creative – it’s solving real problems with your own ideas. It’s extremely hands-on and anything but boring. And despite the myth, the best design engineers are great communicators and quite social.
The best way to get ahead is to dive in—simple as that. And between you and me, the strongest designers in our workshops have been females. So don’t wait for permission to invent, even if it fails the first time.
What words of wisdom do you find most valuable?
EW: “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas Edison
What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?
EW: I’m independent and sometimes have an “I can do it myself” attitude. I planned the launch day of the James Dyson Foundation and took on nearly every task. As the event drew closer, I realized I needed a lot more help than anticipated. In the third hour, it was hard to translate everything that existed in my head. Trusting and relying on your team is something I will never forget.
What do you look for when considering hiring someone?
EW: Passion. It’s not about wanting a job; it’s about wanting this job. It’s a great rule to follow whether you’re applying or hiring. Experience can be acquired, but passion cannot.
What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?
EW: Don’t be afraid to try. Apply for jobs that truly spark your interests. Give up [your] summer break and take an internship. Perhaps even change your major. An opportunity or experience might surprise you, but you won’t know unless you try.