Jacqueline Lee

What do you love most about your profession? Why did you choose this career?

Although I'm an accountant, more and more of my time is spent on 'non-accounting' activities. I love being involved in strategic planning, people management, recruitment, operations, customer presentations & marketing. It's really valuable to have the training and perspective of an accountant to apply to other business areas. In a very R&D-focused industry requiring good decision-making with imperfect information, I'm able to analyze multiple scenarios, apply business fundamentals and offer the best risk-mitigating strategies.

When did you realize you wanted to work in STEM or Skilled Trades?

After a couple of decades working in property management, construction and real estate, I was eager to try something that was more dynamic, whose markets and customers were global and extended beyond a limited geography. In understanding the virtually unlimited potential of the network effect and building a growing recurring revenue base, I was very excited to make a transition into technology. With a business background, all of your skills can be transferrable and very relevant to many industries.

Why do we need more women in STEM and Skilled Trades?

Besides the need to foster gender equality and wage parity, it is good for business. It is largely studied and understood that women-led businesses are more successful, make better decisions, have a generally happier workforce, have stronger workplace cultures, act more socially responsible, have better customer service, create products more focused on people than things, the list goes on.

How do you think the school you went to influenced your career?

I never received any career advice in high school and had no female role models in business or STEM. I picked business because it was very general and applicable to every company and thankfully it worked out for me. With that said, I did join a late French immersion program in Grade 7 and took several AP courses that uncovered my love of math. Being in the same class surrounded by like-minded individuals that were eager to learn helped keep me focused. Learning a new language at age 12 was certainly difficult and helped build up resilience and learning habits that still benefit me today.

What was the best advice you have been given?

Try something hard or outside your comfort zone every day

What would you be looking for during an interview for an entry level position?

We recognize interviews are a terrible way to predict someone's success in any role. I'm a shy, introverted person and struggled in my early years to properly articulate my thoughts on the spot in what felt like intimidating situations. We focus less on technical questions and more on culture and mindset questions so that we understand what makes a candidate feel passionate about their work and what values are important to them. We look for genuine enthusiasm, curiosity, and eagerness to learn.

What does your typical workday involve? Can you work remotely? (indoors/outdoors, office/plant, travel time, teamwork/solo work)?

Every day is different! We have a lot of flexibility and our team can choose to work from the office or at home. We have the largest 3D print farm in Atlantic Canada so our office is a mixture of desks and production areas. We try to divide up our work into projects so cross-functional teams are pretty normal. As the accountant for the company, there is quite a lot of solo work but I do really enjoy the collaboration of teamwork. Our office is across from Bowring Park so we have lots of meetings, and conversations (and frisbee games) in the park.

What is a common misconception about your field of work?

There are hundreds of jobs and career paths in technology. You do not need to have coding skills or even be a technical person.

Does your work make a difference in people’s lives and the world?

Absolutely! Our vision is to empower passionate healthcare providers to reimagine better outcomes. We work with nurses, doctors, technicians and frontline healthcare workers to find solutions using 3D printing technology. From helping cancer patients with better treatment tools to lab equipment to stroke rehabilitation equipment, our work has a huge impact on lower costs and better patient care.

What do you do when you feel stuck?

Take a break, do something else. My team is amazing too, talking about my issue out loud often helps.

Who is your role model? What is it about this person that inspires you?

I have lots of role models. I carefully choose who I spend time with and listen to as this has a dramatic impact on my success, my mindset and my development. There are lots of great examples right here - Cathy Bennett, Gina Pecore, Moya Cahill, Deirdre Ayre, Charlene Brophy. Joe Shannon gave me my first job and taught me an incredible amount. My mother has been a huge role model for her work ethic, she was a single parent of 2 girls and went back to school as a mature student to become a nurse.

What do you do for fun? What are some of your hobbies/activities?

We have a beautiful province so I spend most free time fishing, hiking, snowshoeing, camping, etc. I love puzzles, reading dark thrillers, reading self-improvement non-fiction, baking and chasing our 3 boys around.

What is your favorite book? Why is it your favorite?

"I certainly love fiction - Stephen King, Harlan Coben, John Connelly. But more of my time now is spent on business or self-development books, I aim for 1 per month. The most impactful so far are Mindset-Carol Dweck, Grit-Angela Duckworth, Untamed-Glennon Doyle, Man's Search for Meaning-Victor Frankl, Daring Greatly-Brene Brown."

What is an app on your smart phone that you couldn’t live without?

LinkedIn, no question.

What advice would you give students who might be considering a career like yours? What advice would you have given your younger self?

Try lots of things to figure out what makes you curious to learn more. You might not see role models that look like you yet but don't let that stop you. Read, be deliberate about who you spend your most time with, and worry a little less about grades and more about experiences. I would have told myself to stop worrying. Failure is important, necessary and critical for growth and success (as long as you learn from it).

Tell us about some great organizations or programs that students might want to get involved in!

https://iabcnl.com/ https://wisenl.ca/ https://coveocean.com/work-learn/ https://enpointmentorship.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/wct-atlantic/ https://www.sheconnects.ca/