Name: Joyce W. Yen

Education:

Ph.D, Industrial and Operations Engineering
B.S in Mathematics

Current position:

Assistant Professor of Industrial Engineering at the University of Washington, Seattle

Current responsibilities:

Teach classes in probability and statistics, stochastic processes, and operations research. Conduct research and mentor students. Provide service to my department and college.

Describe a typical workday.

Every day seem to be a little bit different. A work day will usually include some time spent on teaching, whether it's actually in front of the classroom, preparing lecture notes and homework assignments, or talking to students about the class. I'll also spend some time interacting with colleagues in person or over email to discuss various research projects or ideas. Usually each day is an exercise in balance trying to work on all the different things I have responsibility for.

How do you approach challenges?

Challenges are interesting. I usually try to get some input or feedback from others about the challenge facing me. I like to spend some time thinking about the challenge and trying to collect my thoughts and my energies to tackle the challenge. Usually what ends up happening it I have to figure out baby steps that I can take because otherwise the task becomes too overwhelming. I try to set small goals for myself and celebrate accomplishing each of those goals. Occasionally, I'll have to go through a period of time where I "freak out" about the challenge. But after I get over the major anxiety hurdle, I try to focus on what steps I can take to meet the challenge. Some times it's one day at a time, one step at a time.

What experiences prepared you most for your current position?

I think all of all aspects of my life have contributed to my preparation. Each experience teaches me something and gives me a new resource. Some times those resources are actual people or actual technical skills, other times those resources might just be learning to have balance in my life or learning how to cope with difficult situations. Part of the job is learning on the job. The best preparation is knowing where to go for information and for help.

What skills are particularly important to possess in your field ?

people skills, relational skills, analytic thinking skills, entrepreneurial skills (selling your ideas, generating ideas, etc.).....you also have to have some patience and resolve.

Who were some of your role models or mentors?

I have so many people who have served as role models and mentors in my life. It seems that I can count many of my friends as mentors and role models. I learn from all of them. However, if I had to name just a few, I'd say that my role models and mentors include - my parents who were critical in shaping my personal beliefs and outlook on life - my undergraduate and graduate school thesis advisors who believed in me and lead by example. They always seemed to have balance in their lives. They are wonderful human beings who care deeply about students and learning and always keep the student's best interests (and not their own interests) in mind.

To what professional organizations do you belong ?

Institute for Operations Research and Management Science (INFORMS)
Institute for Industrial Engineers (IIE)
American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
Women in Engineering Programs and Advocates Network (WEPAN)

How can students make the most of their experiences as undergraduates? As graduate students?

I think the same general advice can apply to both undergraduate students and graduate students. Find mentors. Take advantage of opportunities outside of the classroom whether it be research or student activities or internships. Seek out your professor and ask them questions. They have lots of nuggets of knowledge to share with you. Seek out your classmates. They have good information and can help you avoid some of the common pitfalls. Find a way to get connect to the college community and invest in that community. There are so many different types of communities that there's bound to be one that's a good fit for you. The community that you find in school will be one that remains with you for the rest of your life. These are the people you'll be leaning on while at school and after you graduate. Going it alone can be done but it's a lot harder and it's not necessarily good.

What advice can you offer on choosing a major? A career?

I'm not really sure what to say on this one. Perhaps the best thing you can do is to talk to people who are doing the kinds of things you think you'd like to do. Find out from multiple people in those areas what they're lives are like.

What is your greatest achievement or your greatest success at this point in your life?

?? don't know. :-)

How have you achieved balance in your career and family life?

Balance is always a challenge. I think one has to make a conscious effort to achieve balance. I believe it is within our own power to decide what kind of balance we have in our own lives. We make our choices and we have to be able to feel good about them. Balance is really about priorities. I set my priorities and I am willing to live with the consequences or outcomes of those priorities. For me, balance means taking a global view of my life. It means taking time to reflect. What is really important? What could I really not do without? What gives me joy and fulfillment? I need to make sure the things I say in answer to these questions are the things I make sure I have time for in my life. If the two don't match, then I'm off balance (maybe my priorities are wrong or I'm not spending my time well).

Some times life seems so crazy and it seems like there is no time. Some times it's one deadline after the other or one fire after the other. Those occasional times of chaos and great intensity are fine. But in the end, I need to have balance. I need to be able to have times for the things I consider a priority in my life. So I make my choices to reflect these needs.