SWE Member Highlight of the Month:
Liz Mathew
Liz Mathew is an Engineering Team Leader at Caterpillar.
Tell us about your position:
I am an engine system design engineer for IPSD-L’s highest volume engines - 7.2-9.3L engines. These engines support construction and resource industry products such as Track type tractors, track type loaders, paving and SEM machines. I work on designing and launching new engine designs with superior performance, quality, durability, and serviceability for our customers across the world. This takes working closely with a cross-functional team of experts in the engine component team, engine application integration team, engine development team, software team and Texas-Seguin manufacturing team. I also lead continuous improvement projects to manage current and legacy engines, support manufacturing initiatives associated with engine production in the Seguin facility.
Teamwork is as an essential ingredient to successfully execute my engine programs. I, therefore, focus on building positive work relationships with the people I get to work with, get to know them better so in future our work becomes naturally collaborative. I have been in this position for over a month and excited to see myself grow in this space.
What attracted you to a STEM Career?
If memory serves me right, from early childhood days my parents made it clear to me that I was to become a doctor or an engineer. I took it upon myself to make their dream come true! I worked hard and excelled in school especially in Science and Math. I realized I was pretty good at it and kept going with it. I thrived on hands-on learning especially proving textual theories through actual problem solving. I also enjoyed leading class groups to solve problems. It wasn’t until I reached college to pursue Mechanical engineering that I realized the sparsity of women in my class as well as the department. I was among the first 6 girls in my college to pursue a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Realizing that, it became even more imperative and personal to me that not only I but all five of my female classmates succeed in the program and break some of the traditional biases within the department. We looked out for each other and with the support of a handful of professors and classmates as excellent allies, we graduated successfully. We also helped pave a path for future female candidates to be better accepted into the Mechanical engineering program with reduced bias. In retrospect, I feel I am still doing the same things but at different places, companies, and teams. I continued my passion for engineering by getting a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Clemson University, SC. Because my learning style is Kinesthetic, I decided to start my career in manufacturing and the rest is history!
Who is your inspiration?
My grandmother is my biggest inspiration. She made a huge impact in my life and has always been my biggest cheerleader. She married my granddad in her teens and didn’t get a chance to receive any formal education. However, she was hard working and resilient. Despite not getting a formal education, she learned how to run the family business of exporting South Indian spices, after my grandfather’s early demise. In her fifties, she let go of stamping her thumb on legal papers and learned to make her own signature. She was very proud of herself to be able to do that! And so was I. Watching her being a super woman made a huge subconscious impact on me and I am sure her willpower and resilience has rubbed off on me. She made sure her eight kids (seven girls and one boy) completed school, college, and had successful careers. Her willingness to learn new skills throughout her life and to forge a brighter path for her kids, has always been inspirational to me. She always encouraged me to excel in academics and truly made me believe that the sky is the limit! I carry forth her willpower and resilience in both my professional and personal life. And I hope to imbibe that in my kids through my actions.
Why did you decide to join SWE?
I am passionate about recruiting and mentoring and wanted to do more in that space. That is when a good friend at work directed me to SWE. After I joined SWE and attended few of the events, I got to know several inspirational women engineers from various Caterpillar backgrounds. It occurred to me that each was pioneering a path for themselves in their own unique way and were willing to share their journey with the rest of us. Every SWE event I attend, leaves me inspired. After attending several SWE Central IL events and the SWE national conference last year, I made connections with numerous women engineers who truly empower me both professionally and personally. I feel confident reaching out to them to bounce off ideas, discuss career progression and ponder methods to achieve better work-life balance.
Tell us something interesting about yourself?
I was born and raised in India. My father served in the Indian Military, and we moved to a new place every 2.5-3 years. I came to USA in 2011 to pursue a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson University, Clemson, SC. I moved to Peoria in 2013 and this is the place I have stayed the longest in my whole life! I speak four languages and understand two others. I am fortunate to have made valuable friends and connections throughout the different places I have lived. Every place I have lived and my experiences there, have allowed to me constantly learn through new friends, cultures, food, and languages.
I also have some firsts to brag about - I am the oldest of 16 cousins in my extended family and the first female engineer in the multi-generational family. I am the first one to leave the country to gain a Master’s degree in Engineering and like to believe I have been a role model for my cousins to pursue similar dreams.
My husband and I met during college. We are now a dual Clemson and Caterpillar family. We have two daughters: Mishka is 7 and Zoe is 2. Many of our evenings are spent with the kids. Time seems to go by fast with little ones. I love to travel with my family. Mishka has been traveling since she was 10 months old and in 6 years, she has traveled to 6 countries with us. Zoe has traveled to four states within the country, her first international trip is yet to happen.
In the last few years, I have tried to pick a couple new skills – running and golf. I have run a 5k almost every month last year and I picked up golf early this year.
One of my favorite quotes is “Like wildflowers, you must allow yourself to grow in all the places people never thought you would.”
Tell us about your position:
I am an engine system design engineer for IPSD-L’s highest volume engines - 7.2-9.3L engines. These engines support construction and resource industry products such as Track type tractors, track type loaders, paving and SEM machines. I work on designing and launching new engine designs with superior performance, quality, durability, and serviceability for our customers across the world. This takes working closely with a cross-functional team of experts in the engine component team, engine application integration team, engine development team, software team and Texas-Seguin manufacturing team. I also lead continuous improvement projects to manage current and legacy engines, support manufacturing initiatives associated with engine production in the Seguin facility.
Teamwork is as an essential ingredient to successfully execute my engine programs. I, therefore, focus on building positive work relationships with the people I get to work with, get to know them better so in future our work becomes naturally collaborative. I have been in this position for over a month and excited to see myself grow in this space.
What attracted you to a STEM Career?
If memory serves me right, from early childhood days my parents made it clear to me that I was to become a doctor or an engineer. I took it upon myself to make their dream come true! I worked hard and excelled in school especially in Science and Math. I realized I was pretty good at it and kept going with it. I thrived on hands-on learning especially proving textual theories through actual problem solving. I also enjoyed leading class groups to solve problems. It wasn’t until I reached college to pursue Mechanical engineering that I realized the sparsity of women in my class as well as the department. I was among the first 6 girls in my college to pursue a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Realizing that, it became even more imperative and personal to me that not only I but all five of my female classmates succeed in the program and break some of the traditional biases within the department. We looked out for each other and with the support of a handful of professors and classmates as excellent allies, we graduated successfully. We also helped pave a path for future female candidates to be better accepted into the Mechanical engineering program with reduced bias. In retrospect, I feel I am still doing the same things but at different places, companies, and teams. I continued my passion for engineering by getting a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Clemson University, SC. Because my learning style is Kinesthetic, I decided to start my career in manufacturing and the rest is history!
Who is your inspiration?
My grandmother is my biggest inspiration. She made a huge impact in my life and has always been my biggest cheerleader. She married my granddad in her teens and didn’t get a chance to receive any formal education. However, she was hard working and resilient. Despite not getting a formal education, she learned how to run the family business of exporting South Indian spices, after my grandfather’s early demise. In her fifties, she let go of stamping her thumb on legal papers and learned to make her own signature. She was very proud of herself to be able to do that! And so was I. Watching her being a super woman made a huge subconscious impact on me and I am sure her willpower and resilience has rubbed off on me. She made sure her eight kids (seven girls and one boy) completed school, college, and had successful careers. Her willingness to learn new skills throughout her life and to forge a brighter path for her kids, has always been inspirational to me. She always encouraged me to excel in academics and truly made me believe that the sky is the limit! I carry forth her willpower and resilience in both my professional and personal life. And I hope to imbibe that in my kids through my actions.
Why did you decide to join SWE?
I am passionate about recruiting and mentoring and wanted to do more in that space. That is when a good friend at work directed me to SWE. After I joined SWE and attended few of the events, I got to know several inspirational women engineers from various Caterpillar backgrounds. It occurred to me that each was pioneering a path for themselves in their own unique way and were willing to share their journey with the rest of us. Every SWE event I attend, leaves me inspired. After attending several SWE Central IL events and the SWE national conference last year, I made connections with numerous women engineers who truly empower me both professionally and personally. I feel confident reaching out to them to bounce off ideas, discuss career progression and ponder methods to achieve better work-life balance.
Tell us something interesting about yourself?
I was born and raised in India. My father served in the Indian Military, and we moved to a new place every 2.5-3 years. I came to USA in 2011 to pursue a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson University, Clemson, SC. I moved to Peoria in 2013 and this is the place I have stayed the longest in my whole life! I speak four languages and understand two others. I am fortunate to have made valuable friends and connections throughout the different places I have lived. Every place I have lived and my experiences there, have allowed to me constantly learn through new friends, cultures, food, and languages.
I also have some firsts to brag about - I am the oldest of 16 cousins in my extended family and the first female engineer in the multi-generational family. I am the first one to leave the country to gain a Master’s degree in Engineering and like to believe I have been a role model for my cousins to pursue similar dreams.
My husband and I met during college. We are now a dual Clemson and Caterpillar family. We have two daughters: Mishka is 7 and Zoe is 2. Many of our evenings are spent with the kids. Time seems to go by fast with little ones. I love to travel with my family. Mishka has been traveling since she was 10 months old and in 6 years, she has traveled to 6 countries with us. Zoe has traveled to four states within the country, her first international trip is yet to happen.
In the last few years, I have tried to pick a couple new skills – running and golf. I have run a 5k almost every month last year and I picked up golf early this year.
One of my favorite quotes is “Like wildflowers, you must allow yourself to grow in all the places people never thought you would.”
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