MLGW has 2770 employees; 752 (27%)
are women. Of the 752 women, 143 (19%) hold STEM positions. On the second Tuesday of every month, we will introduce you to
a different woman working in STEM at MLGW.
First up is Arnisa Davis. She
attended LeMoyne-Owen college where she received a Bachelors of Science in
Mathematics. At the time, MLGW hired students to work part-time on a GIS
project entering data for maps. She was then hired on permanently as a
Drafter and then moved up to become a GIS Programmer (or Software
Developer). She's currently supervising the team of GIS developers and
Oracle developers for MLGW's Enterprise Systems.
We asked Arnisa a few questions to
get to know her better.
What do you do in your current
position?
In my current position, I am the
Supervisor of GIS, EAM and Materials Systems. I supervise a team of 15-20
application developers. We create, support and update software using
computer languages such as CSharp for .Net, Python, Java, Oracle PL/SQL, Oracle
Application Framework and Apex.
We support Geographical Information
Systems(GIS) that has all of our addresses, streets, electric, gas and water
assets mapped so crews can restore power to our customers and know where they
are located if there is a problem. Our Oracle Enterprise Asset Management and
Inventory systems allows the company to create new subdivisions to
develop, order/purchase materials for the job and track all of the assets
we own and utilize.
What's interesting or cool about
what you do?
The coolest thing I do is having the
ability to create new technology for the company for our customers to
utilize like a web map. The data we provide our customers and crews
could save someone's life. The location of a gas pipe or electric line
helps our crews resolve the issues quicker and keeps our customers safe.
Why would you encourage girls to
pursue STEM careers?
Technology and Mathematics is
utilized in our everyday life. It is a career that has great rewards because
your creativity could save someone’s life. STEM careers allow you to put the
knowledge you learned in school to use in real life. When I was in the 8th
grade, I did not think I would ever use Algebra. We use it every day in
STEM careers especially in the GIS field. This is how we create map
directions and show curves on a street. If we did not have this
technology, we would only see straight lines.
What advice would you give your
younger self?
Advice to my younger self would be
to learn to be patient and study harder. Don't get discouraged if
you don't grasp the concept right away. The more you study; the more you
learn. Keep working hard but take time out to enjoy life.
1 comment:
I also work for MLGW & I have a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with a concentration in System Security (BSIT). I have always enjoyed math and science. I am also a female that love to hold a STEM position within the company. That being said, it has been extremely hard getting the opportunity to transition into the IT department. Is there any advice that you can give me.
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