Earlier this year, I was invited by Dr. Angelique Adams to be on her podcast, Mastering Engineering Leadership. Dr. Adams led me through a reflection of my life and career. We began with how I made it to engineering school as a first generation college student to how I ended up where I am today, teaching in several colleges, but none of them engineering (although I do work with engineers quite often outside of the undergraduate classroom.) If you want a master class in how to organize making a visit to a podcast accessible for novices like me, deliver it successfully with great frequency, and create it to be a terrific learning experience for undergraduates, Dr. Adams has it down! If you are interested, I hope you’ll give a listen. Some information and a link to the podcast is below. And if you know of anyone who might be a good guest, I’m happy to direct you to her. I promise you it will be a rewarding experience!
Andria’s story begins in a small West Tennessee high school with no calculus and very little exposure to college. She fought through a rough first year in a rigorous engineering program, built a career as an aluminum metallurgist and plant leader, and then made a bold pivot into industrial organizational psychology and technology startups.
Today she teaches, consults, and coaches, still proudly wearing the identity of “engineer,” but now focused just as much on people as on processes (I can relate 😊).
What moved me most was how consistently she chose courage over comfort. Letting a mentor move her into a job she did not feel ready for.
Top insights from Andria’s episode:
- You can lead before you have a title. She reminds us that speaking up, asking questions, and pushing for improvement are leadership behaviors, even when your job title says “engineer” and nothing more.
- Equal does not always mean equitable. Her story of two very different engineers reacting to the same high-visibility opportunity shows why great leaders tailor growth paths to individual strengths and preferences.
- Authenticity is a leadership asset, not a risk. Drawing on Brené Brown’s work, she encourages engineers to know themselves, stop putting on a mask, and stand on “strong ground” as the leaders they truly are.
This episode is for you if:
- You are a first-generation or non-traditional engineering student who sometimes wonders if you belong.
- You are an early-career engineer who has been asked to “step up,” and you are not sure what that really means.
- You are a technical leader wrestling with people decisions, from fair opportunities to strategic focus.
- You are curious about how engineering, psychology, and product leadership can fit together into one career.
Grab your Episode Guide here: MEL #049 | From First Generation Engineer to Authentic People Leader through Self-Reflection and Brave Conversations with Dr. Andria Yates
Tickle College of Engineering at the University of Tennessee