SWE Member Highlight of the Month:
Cheryl Verbeke
Cheryl Verbeke is a Caterpillar Engineering Manager - ECM Hardware
Tell us about your position:
I lead the team that is accountable for the Electronic Control Modules that run Caterpillar engines, machines, and other electronic systems. One of the new spaces is battery management controls.
What attracted you to a STEM Career?:
I was fortunate to grow up in a family of engineers including my Dad, an uncle and an aunt. I remember a 4th grade field trip to the Adler Planetarium in Chicago. It really sparked an interest in space and space travel. This led to engineering as a way to be an astronaut. I even went to Space Camp in High School. However, during college I did several internships at Motorola and got interested in electronics that has led to my role at Caterpillar today.
Who is your inspiration?:
One inspiration would be my high school guidance counselor but not how you might think. This counselor told me I would not be able to get a degree in engineering and was pushing me to look at other degrees. I was too stubborn to let this deter me and helped motivate me during challenging times during college. Today my inspiration comes from recruiting the next generation of engineers for Team Caterpillar as well as coaching and mentoring others.
Why did you decide to join SWE?:
I joined SWE in college as a way to meet other women in college as well as get involved in leadership as secretary of the Ohio State section. When I joined Caterpillar almost 25 years ago, I renewed my involvement in SWE and SWE-CI. Over the years this has given me the opportunity to participate in the Professional Development, Advocacy, and Membership Committees, volunteering at various outreach events, and judging SWE scholarship awards. I've enjoyed participating in many different SWE-CI events but I think the best part of SWE-CI are the lifelong friends that I've made!
Tell us something interesting about yourself?:
I'm a huge sports fan including the OSU Buckeyes, Chicago Blackhawks, and Chicago Cubs. Love to travel especially visiting US National Parks and scuba diving in the Caribbean. Always try to visit distilleries during our travels as I love to see the different processes from large to small distilleries. Also enjoy spending the summer in the pool with my husband Dan and our 2 corgis, LC & IV.
Tell us about your position:
I lead the team that is accountable for the Electronic Control Modules that run Caterpillar engines, machines, and other electronic systems. One of the new spaces is battery management controls.
What attracted you to a STEM Career?:
I was fortunate to grow up in a family of engineers including my Dad, an uncle and an aunt. I remember a 4th grade field trip to the Adler Planetarium in Chicago. It really sparked an interest in space and space travel. This led to engineering as a way to be an astronaut. I even went to Space Camp in High School. However, during college I did several internships at Motorola and got interested in electronics that has led to my role at Caterpillar today.
Who is your inspiration?:
One inspiration would be my high school guidance counselor but not how you might think. This counselor told me I would not be able to get a degree in engineering and was pushing me to look at other degrees. I was too stubborn to let this deter me and helped motivate me during challenging times during college. Today my inspiration comes from recruiting the next generation of engineers for Team Caterpillar as well as coaching and mentoring others.
Why did you decide to join SWE?:
I joined SWE in college as a way to meet other women in college as well as get involved in leadership as secretary of the Ohio State section. When I joined Caterpillar almost 25 years ago, I renewed my involvement in SWE and SWE-CI. Over the years this has given me the opportunity to participate in the Professional Development, Advocacy, and Membership Committees, volunteering at various outreach events, and judging SWE scholarship awards. I've enjoyed participating in many different SWE-CI events but I think the best part of SWE-CI are the lifelong friends that I've made!
Tell us something interesting about yourself?:
I'm a huge sports fan including the OSU Buckeyes, Chicago Blackhawks, and Chicago Cubs. Love to travel especially visiting US National Parks and scuba diving in the Caribbean. Always try to visit distilleries during our travels as I love to see the different processes from large to small distilleries. Also enjoy spending the summer in the pool with my husband Dan and our 2 corgis, LC & IV.
Welcome!
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