SWUGN Group Leader Spotlight – Rhiannon Britney

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Since 1996, SOLIDWORKS User Groups have been a valuable resource for SOLIDWORKS users all over the world.  The SWUGN Committee and DS SOLIDWORKS provide ample support, but the real stars are the SOLIDWORKS User Group Leaders. Every week or so we’ll spotlight one of our group leaders and the local user group chapter that they are responsible for leading.

Rhiannon Britney – Mount San Antonio SOLIDWORKS User Group

Rhiannon

Rhiannon has a really good story to share, especially her struggles with dyslexia, and how she overcame it.  Read on.

Who are you and what do you do?

I just graduated from Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, CA. So I am looking for work now.  I have an A.S. in Metallurgy from Bosco Tech in Rosemead, CA. I worked aerospace, defense and some private companies for over 20 years performing Quality Control, X-Ray, process control and such.  I took a class in AutoCad 11R in 1991, but couldn’t get a job so went back to school and got an A.S. in Sign Language Interpreting, I then transferred to Cal State Northridge (CSUN) and got my B.S. in Deaf Studies, but discovered that I was severely dyslexic and that I qualify for everything the blind do because of the dyslexia. And that technically I am NOT suppose to be able to read.  In 2009 I took a course in AutoCad 2009 and got certified in AutoCad 2009 and got credit for the class at MSAC.  I started MSAC in Spring of 2012 and graduated in Spring of 2015 with an A.S. degree in Engineering Design Technology and Certificates in Level I, II & III.  My CSWA & CSWP in SOLIDWORKS.  My A.S. in 3D Computer Animation with Certificates in Tradigital Level I & II, Gaming & Interactive MultiMedia Level I & II and 3D Modeling Level I.  I was president of the SkillsUSA Club on campus from 2012-2014 and took the silver medal in Regionals in Technical Drafting in 2013, went to State and took the Gold medal and was State Champion in Technical Drafting so got to go to Nationals and placed 11th in the Nation in Technical Drafting.  I made the Dean List at MSAC 3 times and the President’s List 2 times  Again, all this and I am NOT suppose to be able to read.

Tell us a little about your SOLIDWORKS User Group

I took over the group from the previous leader in early 2013, so I’ve been leading the group for just about three years.  We have 350 members on our mailing list, but our meetings average 20 to 40 people.

What as the best meeting you’ve had?

When Richard Doyle and Aaron Kelly visited in July of 2013.

Why should people attend a SOLIDWORKS User Group meeting?

There is a lot to learn about SOLIDWORKS and as the new software comes out even more to learn. We have had a lot of people find solutions to problems either from the presenter or another attendee.

What has your experience been like working in a predominately male industry?

You get attention if you;re male and a higher pay.

Why do you think it is important for women to be encouraged to be engineers?

Because women have a different perspective or way of viewing things and sometimes a different view is all that is needed.

Do you have any advice for young women thinking about starting their career in Engineering?

Go for it! You can do it! Set your goal, focus on it and achieve it!

Anything else you’d like to add?

I am very glad that I got introduced to SOLIDWORKS because it is an awesome program.

Thanks Rhiannon, and all the best to you and your members in 2016.

 

 

Richard Doyle

Richard Doyle

My official title is Senior User Advocacy & SolidWorks User Groups - but most people just call me "The User Group Guy". I've been a SolidWorks user since 1997, and was one of the founding members of the SWUGN Committee. Since starting the Central Texas SolidWorks User Group in 1999, my career path has led me to DS SolidWorks and a dream job supporting the SolidWorks User Group Network worldwide.
Richard Doyle

@https://twitter.com/swugn

Richard Doyle