🎙️ From Blue Collar Roots to CFO: Jessica Silwick's Mission Making Quality STEM Education Accessible

In this inspiring episode, Jessica Silwick, CFO and COO at ABET, shares her remarkable journey from being a first-generation college student in a blue collar community to leading finance and operations at the world's leading STEM accreditation organization. Through candid stories about researching college applications alone without guidance, transferring schools after realizing honors programs weren't the right fit, crying when her first boss threw papers across the desk for pages facing wrong direction, standing before 50+ white male board members constantly proving her worth as a young woman in male-dominated fields, and championing ABET's expansion from degree accreditation into recognizing short-term credentials and certificates, Jessica reveals how education serves as a catalyst for transforming individual lives and entire communities—proving that first-gen students who question their belonging can build careers championing access to quality education for learners worldwide.

✨ Key Insights You'll Learn:

• First-generation college journey: self-navigated applications, campus tours, financial aid without family guidance

• Strategic pivot: left honors program at university for community college semester, then transferred to first-gen friendly campus

• Career transformation: left Fortune 200 energy company after being recruited at building coffee cart for six months

• ABET's 3,000 volunteer peer reviewers: motivated by mission, create symbiotic learning while evaluating programs

• Accreditation versus quality assurance: degree programs require 18-month rigorous process, credentials offer flexible recognition

• Credential revolution: addressing changing learner demographics through bite-sized certificates as stepping stones or career pivots

• Proving herself: standing before all-male board constantly earning respect as young woman in STEM fields

• CEO Dr. Michael Milligan's championing: first female CFO/COO at ABET, advocates for women in leadership globally

  
  

🌟 Jessica's Key Mentors & Influences:

• Her Supportive Family: Second-generation Greek and third-generation Italian providing stories proving world's potential

• First Internship Boss (Rich): Threw papers across desk teaching attention to detail, later championed her to energy company

• Deloitte Auditor Connection: Remembered Rich's endorsement, opened door to Fortune 200 energy company opportunity

• Dr. Michael Milligan (ABET CEO): Champion for women, appointed first female CFO/COO, provides global perspective coaching

• ABET Coffee Cart Recruiter: Pursued Jessica six months saying "I know you belong here, you'll do great things"

👉 Don't miss this powerful conversation about education as catalyst for transforming lives, navigating imposter syndrome as first-gen professional, proving worth repeatedly as woman in male-dominated STEM fields, and why expanding quality assurance beyond traditional degrees creates pathways for diverse learners facing grand challenges.

🔗 Connect with Jessica Silwick:

LinkedIn: Jessica Silwick

Email: jsilwick@abet.org

📄 Transcript Available: Championing Educational Access: Jessica Silwick on ABET's Purpose Serving Thousands of Volunteer Experts, Educators, and Learners

📺 Watch on YouTube: Inspired Stories Podcast

🌐 Our Website: The Inspired Stories Podcast

📄 Special Thanks to Anthony Codispoti & AddBack Benefits Agency: AddBack Benefits Agency - Providing innovative employee benefits solutions that improve employee well-being while optimizing your bottom line Website: addbackbenefits.com

#STEMEducation #FirstGenStudent #EducationalAccreditation #WomenInLeadership #QualityAssurance #CredentialRecognition #LifelongLearning #EducationCatalyst #InspiredStoriesPodcast