After an honorable discharge from the US Navy, employment in electrical prototype and testing for the defense industry beckoned. After marriage and children, I decided to reenter college.

Having a love for engineering, electrical to be precise, I applied to California State University, Los Angeles, choosing a major in mathematics and physics. Immediately after receiving my bachelor's degree, I entered graduate school to pursue a Master of Science in applied mathematics with an emphasis on numerical analysis and physics.

The undergraduate courses of study were broad and diverse: problem-solving techniques, logic, mathematical philosophy and approaches; solutions in physics with several approaches and techniques; and computer philosophy and languages. These courses, coupled with general-education required courses, made me a more well-rounded person.

Upon completion of these requirements, I earned a Master of Science degree in applied mathematics. After an arduous job search, I landed at Rockwell's Space Systems Division.

My first assignment was a dynamic one: researching an approach and solution for a frontal area algorithm for the Space Station. Part of education is realizing the absence of depth and expertise needed in certain situations. In this case, help from someone else was required, and my research led to the hiring of an expert in programming techniques and systems. His solution was published nationally.

Some of my other projects involved writing algorithms that graphically detailed the automation of installed and uninstalled Shuttle tiles. I also contributed to the development of a critical component tool for the Space Shuttle.