Karen Day is a software engineer, which means she writes computer programs. Such programs tell computers what to do, and they have a powerful impact on our lives. Software is everywhere, from toasters to rockets, making an international call sound as good as a local call, or allowing your car to direct you to your next destination! Karen enjoys her career, because "it allows me to try to improve the way we live."
As a senior staff engineer working in the Cellular Infrastructure Group (CIG) at Motorola in Arlington Heights, Illinois, Karen manages a staff of 10 software engineers. These engineers specialize in software systems that help Motorola produce their best cellular phone system products. Her team members perform a variety of software engineering tasks, including requirement gathering, design, development (coding software programs), testing, and deployment of software (putting the software into use). Karen has traveled down an unusual road to arrive at a career in software engineering management. She grew up in the Chicago suburbs and then attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, majoring in mathematics and art. Upon graduation, Karen began working in the commercial art field. Not being satisfied there, Karen began taking computer programming courses. After an entry-level programming job, she worked her way up to systems analyst. She discovered a new creative outlet in computers and, after five years of night classes, she graduated with a master's degree, her thesis in artificial intelligence (AI).
Karen joined Motorola, working in mainframe manufacturing systems development. She found the work challenging and enjoyed being part of a large corporation with a professional attitude and competitive atmosphere. The opportunity finally came for her to use her AI skills when she joined a Motorola corporate AI technology-transfer group. According to Karen, she "spent four years developing knowledge-based or expert systems, a challenging position that allowed me to work with different Motorola businesses and to be participate in the search for innovative solutions to technical problems."
Karen recently took another step along her career path when she took her current position as a software engineering manager at Motorola Cellular. Karen and her husband are both "Motorolans" and find time in their busy lives to bike, listen to music, and care for their cat, two dogs, and three birds.
For students concerned about what path to take in life, Karen offers this insight: "Don't worry about what to do next--just do something, and then the next step becomes apparent. And it's never too late to begin a new career path--always keep your eyes open for that next opportunity."