International Women in Engineering Day 2024 - Christine Barry

Name: Christine Barry
Location: Lafayette, LA, USA 
Job Title: Senior Engineering Manager 

Tell us about your background?
Studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Louisiana. Completed Master’s of Business Administration from the same. Passed my Professional Engineer (PE) exam in 2015, which was a huge accomplishment. First nine years of my career was in Chemical Manufacturing, and made a career shift when I started at Frank’s International in 2013 as a Research Engineer. 

What does your job involve? 
Working with a team of Engineers, Programmers, and Designers to develop technologies for our customers and support operations. 

Best piece of advice you would give? 
Advice you receive comes from another’s experience and perspective. I have received plenty of advice over the years, but the one bit that I attempt to follow in all aspects of life: slow down.

Few other mantras for me… Always try to learn something new, do not accept the status quo, and aim to have a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. 

What’s been your biggest career challenge so far?   
Early on, the challenge was being taken seriously. I was working in a small, remote chemical plant with few Engineers and was the only female Engineer. But being honest, I also didn’t take myself too seriously. Still trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up! 

What keeps you motivated? 
Motivation can come from within, but for me, it’s the people I work with in Engineering. There are some great minds and wonderful people on the team, and I get to work with them each day. 

What would you say to someone considering a career in engineering? 
Growth comes from learning. Learning comes from failing. Expect to fail. Otherwise, you will never grow. 

What do you do outside of work? 
I enjoy reading and being in the yard. My husband and I are project people, so dabbling in woodworking and we always have something going on around the house. I picked up two chairs left on the curb to refinish and have now promised to never do that again. They turned out great, but it was not an easy project.