Emerson Exchange 365

This month, Pamela Jackson, vice president of technology at Emerson – and one of 2016’s most influential business women, as named by the St. Louis Business Journal – is about to enter into a well-deserved retirement, having led a distinguished and pioneering career in which she broke down barriers while balancing her work life with the responsibilities of being a mother.

Her journey began after graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1974, when it was rare for women, especially minority women, to work in the science field.  Post-graduation, she went to work for Lucent, where she rose to the role of vice president and general manager of Lucent’s MicroPower division. Afterward, she was named vice president and general manager of DC-DC Power. Pam Jackson joined the Emerson family in 2001, having already made her mark as a chemist, engineer and proven leader. Among her other accomplishments, she served on the management board for the Emerson Innovation Center in Pune, India and the Emerson Xi’an Engineering Center in China.

For Pam Jackson, leadership has always come naturally. But, what makes her truly stand out from other leaders is her passion for mentoring, diversity and women’s empowerment. Below are some highlights from Pam's recent interview/podcast with the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). In it, she offers career and life advice to younger women (and men); we've cherry-picked six of Pam's prolific points below.

Six Rules to Live By, by Pam Jackson

1. Demonstrate excellence. It’s important to have a strong sense of self. Pam explains. “Don’t let others define who [sic] you should be,” she says. “You should make your skill set known” and “act aggressive in pursuit of your goals.” Professionals need to be perceived in terms of a brand. This creates a certain expectation through ownership,” Pam states. “I’ve always worked hard to be excellent at what I do, no matter the position, no matter the level, or the challenge.”

Unsure how to demonstrate excellence at work? Here are four ways to go above and beyond at your job.

2. Take risks. The word “risk” often has a negative connotation attached to it - that's because the results could be incredible, it sure is scary. While Pam took risks, both big and small, she suggests focusing on “micro” risks. In other words, she suggests taking small risks every day to achieve your career goals. “During my career, I often took on tough jobs that were adjacent to, but not exactly in, engineering,” she says. This helped her demonstrate that she could do far more than what her degree implied. “Taking risks and performing well will get you noticed,” she adds. “It is much easier to find mentors and sponsors once you find yourself in that position.”

Do you often feel risk averse? Check out these tips on how to eliminate worry when taking a risk.

3. Communicate. “For any young engineer looking towards a leadership goal, success depends on developing an effective communication style,” Pam says. “This is key to building relationships and learning how to influence others.” She points out that professionals can go far in business by focusing on people skills. “Helping solve other people’s problems in a personable way is another form of engineering,” says Pam.

How is your communication style? Here are 10 tips for effective workplace communication.

4. Have a supportive relationship and/or community. Many women feel as though they have to sacrifice their career for a family and vice versa. The Pew Research Center reports that 10% of women with a master’s degree or higher will halt their career to stay at home and take care of children. First person accounts suggest this percentage is actually higher. Pam overcame this challenge due in part to her partner. It's important to “choose a person who is respectful of you, your career, and your personal goals,” she says. It is also important to have a support network. “The ladies in the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) understood what I was up against,” she says. “They helped me stay strong, stay focused, and be responsible for [my] career path.”

5. Always continue to learn. It is important for professionals to always keep re-evaluating their skills, Pam notes. “Obtaining [my MBA] and leveraging it led me to a new career trajectory, provided advancement opportunities, and made me a much better leader.” she says. She also recommends professionals go above and beyond their skill sets to expand themselves. “Engineers delight in problem solving, and even if you ultimately move away from pure engineering, this [skill] can be applied to many problems that we have in our society,” Pam says.

If you feel a little one-note, here are a few suggested ways to update your skills.

6. Pursue an internship or an assignment abroad. “One way to diversify your opportunities is through a work co-op,” she says. “Even people my age take on internships in different field [because] it helps you determine what you want and what you don’t want,” she explains. “Professionals should also broaden their perspectives, sometimes on a global scale,” Pam notes. She suggests professionals take a non-U.S.-based assignment that will enable them to work in a different culture.

Check out these insights on why you should take an internship after college.

The Women in STEM of Emerson wish to thank Pam for her courage, leadership and passion. Pam spearheaded and helped shape Emerson’s current diversity and Women in STEM initiatives. Her vision to build Women in STEM programs across Emerson allows us to participate in and benefit from a global community of peers (both women and men) who believe in encouraging the diversity of ideas and approaches in the workplace, and helping women achieve their full potential as leaders and in STEM careers. Though technically ‘retired,' Pam tells us she will continue her path as a Woman In STEM, business leader, SWE contributor, mentor and philanthropist. However, as it should be, her biggest plans are reserved for her family and friends.

To listen to the full interview via podcast and learn more about the amazing, Pam Jackson, visit SWE’s website, All Together.