Women in Technology: Melissa Kearns

SIMULIA is proud to feature a variety of women from different backgrounds who all work in technology, both as employees and clients. Our Women in Technology series highlights some of these outstanding contributors, their fresh perspectives, and unique stories. Today we are excited to introduce Melissa Kearns, Senior Program Manager at Dassault Systèmes.

What is your title, and what are you responsible for/work on at Dassault Systèmes?

My title is Senior Program Manager. In my 16+ years here, I’ve worked on several types of projects (e.g., release management, acquisition integrations and customer engagements). For the past three years, I’ve been working on a global, internal change management initiative to engage all our employees in developing best practices using the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to ensure it supports their day-to-day work.

What makes you excited to get up and come to work every day?

In short, the people. My job offers me the opportunity to build relationships with people all over the world who have different expertise, perspectives and experiences. They are generally kind, engaging, intelligent and passionate – professionally and personally. I enjoy the time we spend learning from each other, working together and delivering solutions that meet customer needs to solve real-world problems and deliver technological advances. This has the side benefit of being able to make some very dear friends. It is all so rewarding.

When did you decide that you wanted to pursue a career in science and technology and why?

My grandfather was an aeronautical engineer and one of my first role models for a career in STEM/STEAM. He (along with my parents) supported and encouraged my enjoyment of math, science and visual arts starting at an early age. My career has not been a straight line but rather driven by searching for and taking on exciting opportunities that match my interests as they’ve presented themselves. I did my undergraduate work in psychology (focused on child development and visual perception), then worked at the USDOT in Cambridge, MA in human factors engineering studying general aviation flight safety. After a few years I was encouraged by my work mentors to pursue a PhD in Cognitive Science. From there, I recognized the tech industry met my desires to apply scientific knowledge in a way that can directly and positively impact the community around me.

What are some of the biggest challenges or successes you have had in your career particularly as a woman in tech?

Early on in my career I thought that in order to be a technologist you had to specialize. As a woman I was concerned my lack of specialization would negatively impact my credibility. Nonetheless, I pursued a generalist approach to my education and career, always going a foot deep and a mile wide to learn and appreciate many technical domains. Over the course of my career this approach gave me opportunities to sit in the “connective tissue” between R&D groups and across the organization at large (Sales, Marketing, Legal, Finance, etc.). I regularly find ways to connect colleagues across specialties to advance process efficiencies, generate new ideas and foster innovation. What I thought was a liability early on in my career, I now view as the key ingredient to my successes.

What drives and inspires you? Maybe you can tell us about your favorite ah-ha moment?

Learning new things and meeting new people is what drives and inspires me. In professional and personal settings, I am always driven to learn new things, improve myself and find ways to support others to be successful and engaged as well. This is the main reason why, in addition to my primary responsibilities at DS I am also an active 3DS Providence Campus community member, contributing time and leadership to the STEM, WIN and PRIDE Committees, Green Team and general campus volunteering. As a self-appointed ambassador for Dassault Systèmes, connect local organizations with La Fondation funding and identify engaging local speakers to share their work and ideas on the 3DS Providence Campus.

If you were not doing what you are currently doing, what would you be?

I love learning things in different topics areas, growing my knowledge and sharing my excitement by connecting with others. If I had not pursued tech, I probably would have chosen teaching as a career, either K-12 or higher ed.

You are a recent recipient of the Tech10 Awards in RI. Could you tell us more about that?

I was nominated and recognized for the STEM/STEAM education volunteering I do on behalf of Dassault Systèmes (including La Fondation) and on my own directly in the Rhode Island community. Sharing my excitement for STEAM topics with students is so rewarding for me. I am so thankful to work for a company where I am supported to pursue these passions along with my “regular” work. If anyone wants to read the article, you can access it here https://www.rimonthly.com/our-2024-tech10-and-next-tech-generation-award-recipients/

What is the most interesting thing about you that is not on your resume? 

If my other answers haven’t made this clear, I am a hard-core extrovert. I enjoy spending time with family, friends and colleagues as well as meeting new people. The time each day I get to spend talking, collaborating, supporting and learning with other people is what brings me energy. Very rarely my mood is so low that I avoid social interaction. Most often if I’m happy, being around others makes me happier. And if I’m feeling discouraged, sad or otherwise negative, a dose of social time gives me the inspiration I need to get back on track.

How do you spend time outside work?

Nature walks, kayaking and rock climbing are some favorite physical activities. On the quieter side, I’ve always loved falling into a good book. And in any setting, there is nothing like spending time with friends to bring me energy – ideas, laughter and a renewed sense of purpose.

Please tell us how you feel about the importance of STEM/STEAM education and outreach, especially with young girls.

Many students do not have STEM/STEAM role models in their immediate community and, due to inconsistent public education funding, may attend a school with minimal STEM/STEAM educational resources. For young girls this is compounded by peer messages that these are things “for boys”. Therefore, it is critical to do outreach to these students so they can become aware of all their career options including STEM/STEAM early (in middle school or younger). When students come to our office in Johnston to engage in interactive engineering activities, try out VR equipment in our playground and hear first-hand from employees about their careers, it opens their minds to the possibilities. I see it on their faces and hear it in their feedback after our events – this work makes a difference. And this is not just a means to an end. Diversity matters in every field including STEM/STEAM. A diverse workforce is required to bring a broader set of perspectives to problems so we can achieve truly innovative solutions for a better future.

What is your favorite quote?

There are so many quotes I love – I have a notes section on my phone dedicated to inspirational quotes. One at the top of my list right now is from Will Ahmed (Founder and CEO of WHOOP): “Success is being excited to go to work and being excited to come home.”. I saw it in a recent Shane Parrish’s Farnam Street blog, and it really resonated with me. My life gives me purpose and meaning because I am positively engaged with the world around me – professionally and personally.

Interested in the latest in simulation? Looking for advice and best practices? Want to discuss simulation with fellow users and Dassault Systèmes experts? The SIMULIA Community is the place to find the latest resources for SIMULIA software and to collaborate with other users. The key that unlocks the door of innovative thinking and knowledge building, the SIMULIA Community provides you with the tools you need to expand your knowledge, whenever and wherever.