Miranda, Operations Lead at Engineering & Prototype Company: Advize Career Interview
A career in operations offers exciting opportunities, as evidenced by a recent interview with an Operations Lead at an engineering and prototyping company.
The interviewee's journey began with a logistics internship and a family brewery management role, building a strong foundation in operations and supply chain.
Their current role involves project management, finance, process improvement, and cross-functional collaboration, utilizing data analysis and strong communication skills in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
The position demands adaptability, comfort with ambiguity, and confidence in decision-making, yet offers significant autonomy and the chance to work on cutting-edge technologies across diverse industries like aerospace and automotive.
The interviewee emphasizes the importance of proactive problem-solving, a diverse academic background including data science and practical experience, and encourages students to explore entry-level operations roles in startups for rapid skill development and broad company exposure.
This career path provides the chance to create own projects, work with impactful technologies and develop valuable skills quickly.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Miranda Bidwell
Operations Lead
Engineering & Prototype Company
University of Southern California, 2017
Currently attending UCLA Anderson
Business Management & Admin, International Relations & Affairs
Electronics & Semiconductors
Operations and Project Management
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Worked 20+ Hours in School
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Career Path of an Operations Lead at an Engineering and Prototype Company
Miranda's career path began with a logistics internship at Converse during a business and international relations degree at USC, sparking an interest in "operations supply chain". Following graduation, a role managing a family brewery provided valuable operational experience before transitioning to their current position as Operations Lead at an engineering and prototyping company, where prior experience was leveraged.
Main Responsibilities of an Operations Lead at Engineering and Prototype Company
Miranda's role as Operations Lead at Engineering & Prototype Company has significantly evolved with the company's growth from 13 to nearly 70 employees; initially wearing "a lot of hats," Miranda now focuses on project management and finance, alongside leading process improvement initiatives through new projects focused on optimizing company operations and processes such as implementing new software tools.
A Day In The Life Of An Operations Lead At Engineering And Prototype Company
A typical day for this Operations Lead involves "a good amount of meetings" collaborating across teams, communication with vendors and customers including "negotiating and meeting people in the middle," and data analysis to inform project decisions, reflecting a role requiring strong cross-functional collaboration and problem-solving skills. The dynamic nature of the job, including many special projects, highlights the need for adaptability and responsiveness to changing priorities.
Most Important Skills for an Operations Lead at an Engineering and Prototype Company
Miranda, an Operations Lead, highlights communication as crucial, emphasizing the ability to "understand how people are explaining their side of things," along with "analytical mind[set] but not super deep into the details" and adaptability as key attributes for success in their role, especially within a smaller company.
Favorite Parts Of Being An Operations Lead At Engineering And Prototype Company
Miranda enjoys the autonomy afforded by her role at the small company, stating that "a lot of the work that I do is something that was my idea," allowing Miranda to "create [their] own projects" and work independently with a trusting team. This highlights the value of a supportive work environment and opportunities for initiative in fostering job satisfaction.
Biggest Challenges Faced by an Operations Lead at an Engineering and Prototype Company
Miranda's biggest challenge as Operations Lead at a small engineering and prototype company is the lack of defined roles and best practices, meaning "sometimes you don't know what the right thing to do is." This ambiguity, while offering autonomy, pushes their comfort zone and requires navigating undefined responsibilities.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Engineering Industry As An Operations Lead
Miranda, an Operations Lead, enjoys the "cutting-edge newest Technologies" and "impactful Technologies" in the diverse sectors—Aerospace, consumer electronics, automotive, and industrial manufacturing—where the company operates. This allows for work on exciting projects involving "electric vehicles or autonomous vehicles," providing a constantly stimulating and relevant career experience.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Engineering Industry, According To An Operations Lead At An Engineering And Prototype Company
Miranda, an Operations Lead, highlights the importance of "comfort with discomfort" in the engineering and prototype industry, given its rapidly changing and highly technical nature. Adaptability and flexibility are key traits for success, as the business and company direction can shift quickly.
What An Operations Lead At Engineering And Prototype Company Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Manufacturing Industry
Miranda, an Operations Lead, advises new entrants to the industry to cultivate more confidence in their abilities, stating that "it helps a lot to have some conviction and stand behind your analysis or your ideas." This self-assurance, balanced with seeking feedback, is crucial for success in startup environments.
Entry-level positions for aspiring Operations Leaders at Engineering and Prototype Company
Startups offer many entry-level opportunities in operations or project management, providing "a lot of experience in a short amount of time" and the flexibility to explore different areas. The operations function, in particular, allows one to "see a lot across the company and sort of decide what's most interesting."
Significant Career Lesson From An Operations Lead At Engineering And Prototype Company
Miranda, an Operations Lead, emphasizes the importance of proactive problem-solving, stating that "being a little bit more entrepreneurial and going out and seeking the answers for yourself" significantly improved their skill set and company impact. This independent approach, built on confidence and drive, proved invaluable to their career success.
College Experiences That Helped an Operations Lead at an Engineering and Prototype Company Succeed
Miranda's college success stemmed from a diverse academic approach, including "data science and operations classes" and international relations, providing valuable business acumen. Practical experience, such as a logistics internship at Converse and restaurant work, further developed professional skills and a strong work ethic, ultimately contributing to their current role as Operations Lead.
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