A trailblazing engineer, Chineta Davis was senior vice president for Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems business unit when she won the Women of Color Technologist of the Year award in 2007.
She was among the first women to be vice president at any Fortune 100 defense company.
After over 30 years in the industry, she served as the second vice-chair of the Associated Black Charities in Maryland.
Asked what five things she wished she knew at the beginning of her career, Davis said:
Davis noted the changes since she joined the workforce in the 1970s.
"Women are moving up—are more comfortable making decisions, and companies have become a lot better with family and career," Davis said. But, she added, some things could be holding women back. She shared ten tips to help move women forward:
Developing a thick skin early also helped in her career.
"I didn't grow up where people talked about stocks around the table at night or what was going to happen in the market the next day," Davis said. "But I was fortunate to work for the first female vice president at Northrop Grumman, Suzanne Jenniches. Suzanne used to tell us 'If you want to work in this industry and you want to be competitive, you've got learn how to have 'rhino hide'—not take anything personally.'"
Jenniches served from 2003 to 2010 as the vice president and general manager of the government systems division of Northrop Grumman Corp.'s Electronic Systems sector. She was one of the first female engineers at Westinghouse Electric Company and the first female leader at Northrop Grumman.
Davis said that with the proper mentoring and sponsorship, more women are becoming directors and vice presidents.
About a decade ago, she observed that people come out of college wanting a "hockey stick effect"—in five to ten years, they want to be vice president.
She also acknowledged the shifting trend in job tenure.
"I know colleges now teach people about changing jobs. It depends on the individual, but don't burn bridges," she advised. "Make a one- to five-year plan, understand your goals, plan a career path, have a performance review, move forward, and succeed."
Davis also advised women to find ways to let people know they have a seat at the table and not make them invisible. She encouraged STEM professionals to go out and make a difference.
"That's why I like to go out and mentor girls."
She also said the Women of Color STEM Conference brought a lot of value.
"It's very nice to know you have such avenues for recognition. You find out what other companies are doing, which gives perspective. Use the conference to put something in and get something out," she said.
