Y-12er spotlight: Kaitlyn W., field engineering administrator
Field Engineering Administrator Kaitlyn W. shares her thoughts on teamwork as part of a series of Y‑12 stories highlighting our Construction team.
The Y‑12er spotlight shines on one of our own, Field Engineering Administrator Kaitlyn W. It takes all Y‑12 employees to make the mission happen successfully and safely. All views and opinions are the employee’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of CNS.
A conversation with her dad placed Kaitlyn W. on the career path she is on today. As a girl, she had set her sights set on being a veterinarian.
“My dad is an electrician, and he pointed out that he thought I was very mechanically inclined,” she said. “He asked why I wasn’t pursuing engineering instead. That shifted my mindset of what I thought I was capable of and planted the seed of ‘I can do this.’”
Kaitlyn got involved with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs at school, where the knowledge of what she could do grew.
“These programs taught me STEM‑related career goals were achievable,” she said. “As an 8‑year‑old girl, I thought careers like this were something you only saw in the movies.”
Today, as a field engineering administrator in Construction, Kaitlyn said her engineering knowledge informs how she can best support field engineers. It also comes in handy for the work she does to help plan small engineering projects.
Kaitlyn also manages the General Services Administration fleet of vehicles for Construction, overseeing 68 vehicles for the group’s use.
“The vehicles are one more tool for our construction workers,” she said. “I help to make sure those tools are running properly and that each of our workers has the right tool for the job.”
One of the things Kaitlyn finds interesting about working at Y‑12 is the site’s rich history, which is sometimes unearthed during construction tasks. But she noted that even for those who may never find themselves in a construction zone, the imprint of the past is still very visible around the site.
“It’s fascinating that we have a lot of historical items preserved in places like New Hope Center and Alpha 3 (Building 9201‑03),” she said.
Another aspect of the site that stands out to Kaitlyn is the number of opportunities and services offered on site. “It’s interesting to see how Y‑12 functions like its own little town behind the blue line. Everything you need is here.”
How has working for CNS changed or reinforced your thoughts on our mission?
Construction literally lays the foundation for Y‑12. Without buildings, roads, electricity, machinery, equipment, etc., we wouldn’t be able to fulfill our mission.
What is your favorite aspect about your work environment?
My favorite aspect is the people. I am surrounded by people who feel like brothers, fathers, and grandfathers to me. It’s very unique to have the kind of work environment where you truly feel like a family.
Who in your life has inspired you the most and why?
The women in the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). SWE helps me get out into the engineering community and meet other professional women I wouldn’t otherwise have the chance to meet to talk about professional goals and ambitions. They all set a great example for me on what it means to break barriers and be proud of what you can do.
What is one thing your coworkers would be surprised to know about you?
My coworkers may be surprised to know that I can play five different instruments: clarinet, piano, baritone, mellophone, and guitar.
Why is teamwork an important aspect at Y‑12?
We are all pieces of a bigger puzzle. There isn’t a single project that comes through Construction that doesn’t have multiple disciplines involved. Craft, administrators, managers, field engineers — are all different and unique pieces of that puzzle. Without each of us working together in our different areas, we would not succeed.