Women @ Energy: Carla Heathman

I’m actually a power engineer, but I got into the cybersecurity field when I started working at INL, because that’s the area where so much of the important infrastructure research is taking place. We already know how to keep our power systems safe physically, from threats like inclement weather, but we are still learning about how to keep them safe from cyber threats. Many of these systems were designed before the advent of the Internet, and thatmakes them vulnerable.

I can serve as a facilitator between cybersecurity researchers and power systems engineers like me. With my knowledge of power systems, I’m able to provide appropriate context to cybersecurity researchers when they’re examining critical infrastructure issues, allowing them to apply that research to real-life, operating power systems.

I am also inspired by a desire to see the power field grow in terms of its “cyber hygiene.” Most power utilities are very conservative when it comes to changing their systemsand are hesitant to try new and emerging technologies. Smaller utilities don’t have the funds to hire full-time staff for cyber-relatedconcerns, so they are very dependent on standards and outsideresearch to guide their security decisions. I think that using the research we conduct here at INL to develop cybersecurity standards that can be applied throughout the power industry is incredibly important work.

I love that I’m able to have an impact on utilities and to conduct research with unique methods that I couldn’t use outside of INL. If I need to test a system vulnerability at INL, I can test it all the way to its point of failure.This would not be possibleat a utility’s operational system, for obvious safety and reliability reasons.

I think this engagement starts early on in school. Girls need to be told what their options are. Starting in elementary school, we are told what different jobs entail. You learn what a policeman does, what a fireman does. We need to have those same conversations with young girls about what an engineer does and teach them that you don’t have to be the class genius to succeed as an engineer. They need to recognize that even if they don’t think they’re good at math and science, this doesn’t mean they aren’t qualified to go into engineering.

To that point, I also want to emphasize that everyone works hard to develop these skill sets and everyone has the potential to grow in any academic strength. This starts with school counselorsmotivating them and encouraging them to pursue thethings that challenge or intimidate them. Something else I want everyone going into STEM or cyber research to know is that employers don’t necessarily care about a perfect academic record. We are more interested in whether they are able to think criticallyand creatively and admit when they don’t know the answer.
 

I think people hear the term “power engineering,” and they think that it’s not all that interesting or glamorous. But as a power engineer, you’re helping keep the lights on for millions of people. And because of the importance of that career, you can live almost anywhere. There will always be a need for good power engineers,and every city has a power utility. The same is true with cybersecurity research. It’s such a broad,open and continuously expanding field,and there are so many opportunities for different career paths within cybersecurity.

As a woman in a male-dominated field, it’s easy to get intimidated. You may feel dismissed or out of place in the classroom, but when you’re out in the workforce, at least in my experience, your colleagues and peers are more than willing to listen to you and respect your opinions. Even so, it’s vital to seek out great mentorship opportunities, and to be humble and willing to admit when you make a mistake. Especially in engineering, when mistakes can have life-or-death consequences, it’s better to take the time to learn from someone who knows more than you do than to appear to have all the knowledge yourself.

I enjoy rock-climbing and being in the outdoors, and I love creative activities like painting and artwork. I also have three kids, so they keep me pretty busy outside of work!

Learn more about our programs & resources for women and girls in STEM at /women