Interview With Natalie Panek, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineer

Mini Interview With Natalie Panek and Bout of Books read-a-thon

At a Girl Geeks Toronto event I conducted an impromptu interview with Natalie Panek, a mechanical and aerospace engineer.

Avil Beckford: Tell me about yourself.

Natalie Panek: I am an adventurer, next generation space explorer, and advocate for women in science and technology.

Avil Beckford: Please share your thoughts on mentors and the role they play in your life.

Natalie Panek: Mentors are like powerful tools. I was always on the lookout for female mentors when I realized that I had a lot of experience so I could be a mentor to inspire the next generation to go into science and technology. I once heard someone use the phrase, “Lift while you climb,” so I am helping others while I am rising in my career.

Avil Beckford: Looking  at your success, what one step have you consistently taken to succeed in your career?

Natalie Panek: I live peak moments. I am always looking for challenges and opportunities to learn. I constantly learn from my past experiences. I look at my peak moments and use those to propel me forward, and I identify the resources I need to succeed.

Avil Beckford: What are five must-read books?

Natalie Panek:

1. Screw It Let's Do It, Richard Branson
2. Eiger Dreams: Ventures Among Men and Mountains, John Krakauer
3. Failure Is Not an Option: Mission Control From Mercury to Apollo 13 and Beyond, Gene Kranz
4. The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho
5. Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void, Mary Roach

For Those Who May Be Interested in Bout of Books read-a-thon

I am always seeking ways to read the final books for the Virtual Literary World Tour so I have decided to participate in the Bout of Books read-a-thon this week. I commit to reading five books, not sure how I'm going to do it with my workload, but we'll see. I'm reading Norwegian Wood Publisher: Vintage by Haruki Murakami who is Japanese.

Reading Goal: Books to Read May 13 – 19, 2013

1. Norwegian Wood Publisher: Vintage, Haruki Murakam, Japanese
2. July's People, Nadine Gordimer, South African
3. A Jest of God (Phoenix Fiction), Margaret Laurence, Canadian
4. On the Road, Jack Kerouc, American
5. The Laughing Policeman (Vintage Crime/Black Lizard), Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö, Swedish
6. The Dew Breaker, Edwidge Danticat, Haitian

May 13, 2013: I read 44 pages of Norwegian Wood

May 14, 2013: I finished reading Norwegian Wood

May 15, 2013: Started reading July's People. I read 30 pages.

May 16, 2013: I finished reading July's People and The Dew Breaker

May 17, 2013: Reading On the Road

May 18, 2013: Finished On the Road, Read A Jest of God, Reading The Laughing Policeman

May 19, 2013: Finished reading The Laughing Policeman

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 13th and runs through Sunday, May 19th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 7.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team.

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