June 27, 2024 by SME Communications Manufacturing is an industry that must be inclusive and open to everyone to thrive. One thing is diversity of thought, approach, and opinion amongst collaborative employees who feel welcome and have their voices heard will allow organizations to do great things. Navigating a career path in manufacturing as an LGBTQIA+ professional involves both challenges and moments of triumph that shape personal and professional development. From facing assumptions about sexuality to asserting individuality in traditionally structured environments, each experience underscores the ongoing journey toward inclusivity and recognition based on merit rather than identity. Reflecting on these experiences highlights the ongoing dialogue in fostering a more inclusive environment within manufacturing. Here’s a glimpse into Kayla Jordan’s journey navigating this dynamic field while promoting LGBTQIA+ visibility and acceptance. Can you share experiences that highlight both the challenges and successes in navigating your career path while being LGBTQIA+? I have had experiences where I would be questioned about my sexuality since I would initially be viewed as a cisgendered heterosexual woman due to my partner being cisgendered male. Walking through manufacturing plants in "masculine" suspenders, my femineity would sometimes be challenged in a good way since I was "going against the grain" with my stylistic choices. However, I have unfortunately found that there is still an initial curiosity about my sexuality rather than my intelligence and ambition. I have not been ostracized but I know it is an ongoing challenge for LGBTQIA+ looking to progress in manufacturing. I have had to argue that being LGBTQIA+ is just one aspect of my whole being and that piece should not dictate someone's decisions about my career. My career path is mine to create and follow regardless of who I am attracted to. As an LGBTQIA+ professional in manufacturing, what strategies have you found effective in navigating your career? Being true to myself and others despite the fears of being judged or isolated. It is harder to say than to do but it has paid off. Demonstrating my ability to learn and succeed has also gotten me far. In the past few years, I have become more vocal about my sexuality to encourage others to speak up if they choose or gain a sense of safety knowing that they have an ally. Advocating for empathy in my various roles has made me a better leader and engineer. What advice would you share with someone looking into a career in manufacturing in 2024? Start with consumer products that you have an interest in. Products you enjoy need to be designed, built, tested and sold at various locations with different manufacturing methods/disciplines. People who are excited about what they contribute to the final product tend to enjoy the manufacturing space for a very long time. What initiatives or changes would you like to see in the future to further enhance LGBTQIA+ inclusivity within manufacturing? I would like to see initiatives where LGBTQIA+ inclusivity is demonstrated throughout the entire year, not just during Pride Month. Companies that I have previously worked at have created and supported LGBTQIA+ employee resource groups (ERGs) and given their employees a voice. Kayla Jordan is a cybersecurity engineer in the military vehicle industry with an MBA from Wayne State University and a Master of Information and Cybersecurity from UC Berkeley. Kayla is a representative on the SME Member Council and has been recognized as a SME 30 Under 30 honoree. SME Member Since 2022
