Methods Machine Tools, a supplier of precision machine tools, automation and accessories, announced that one if its mechanical engineers, Brittany Speroni, was named as a 2015 recipient of Manufacturing Engineering Magazine’s 30 Under 30 awards in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). A total of 30 young manufacturing professionals from across the country were chosen for their exceptional talent and leadership in STEM. Speroni also was recently appointed to serve on the SME 2016 Member Council.
“Brittany is very deserving of this honor. We currently have 13 engineers who are under 30 at Methods facilities throughout the country. We are continuing to add young, talented new engineers to our team to build the future of Methods,” said Methods’ National Applications Manager Jim VanBuskirk.
According to Speroni, her love of math has played a central role in her life, having drawn her inspiration from her mother, who is a math teacher. It was through her mother’s encouragement and a high school math teacher who helped her with real-world applications of physics that solidified her chosen career path in engineering. Speroni attended Wentworth Institute of Technology (WIT) in Boston and enrolled in the mechanical engineering (ME) technology degree program there.
“While I was in college I had a professor who went above and beyond for me. He pushed me to be better than I was and he constantly encouraged me to learn more,” said Speroni.
It was in the ME program at WIT that she took her first manufacturing class, which became the catalyst that led her to more manufacturing classes, hands-on labs and a co-op job in her home state of New Jersey, where she worked for a small machine shop. In addition, during her time at WIT she became involved with the local SME Student Chapter at Wentworth and was a committee officer and also chair.
It was through a student group visit to an open house at Methods prior to graduating that led Speroni to her first and current position at Methods in 2012, working in the automation department designing robot end of arm tools, in addition to quoting and managing projects.
“As with all of the 30 Under 30 winners, Brittany Speroni is an inspiration to the future manufacturing workforce. Her work teaching problem-based learning through projects with Methods Machine Tools and the Wentworth Institute of Technology students helps the future workforce lessen the learning curve between college and working in industry,” said Dolores Nixon, industry professional from SME.
Her love of engineering has inspired her to expose STEM to young women and she has spoken to a local Girl Scout chapter in her home state of New Jersey, and also at an event held at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) called, “Geek is Glam,” which was for girls in grades 4-8. She not only spoke to the girls at the event, but also involved the girls in a small hands-on demonstration. One girl who she assisted at the event was so motivated she went on to enter a biotechnology program and joined a STEM club.
“It proved to me how important it is to talk to these girls at a young age because it can really make a difference in their future. They are also the ones who are going to impact our world and we need to make sure they realize how important their contribution will be to manufacturing,” said Speroni.
