Enbridge's Career Pioneers series: Part 2, June Wolthuis
June Wolthuis, Measurement Analyst, Chicago
A celebration of achievement. A promise of untapped potential. An ongoing quest for equality.
International Women’s Day, fast approaching on March 8, is all of these things and more. “The evidence is clear: equality for women means progress for all,” says United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
In honor of UN International Women’s Day, we’re profiling women in the Enbridge workforce who’ve chosen to pursue non-traditional careers. Today’s spotlight is on June Wolthuis, a measurement analyst, based in Chicago.
Q: How did you end up working as a measurement analyst? What sort of journey brought you here?
I began my journey working in an automotive design verification lab. Like many automotive companies in Michigan, the company began outsourcing. Suddenly, I was looking for a field of work that my 13 years of automotive experience would translate to. Measurement, I realized, is the best fit for my experience and skill set.
Q: What does a typical day look like for you?
My days are anything but typical. I may attend meetings, perform measurement audits, conduct customs related testing, respond to email and phone inquiries, or complete online training. I spend a great deal of time in the field for various measurement matters.
Q: What motivates you to get up in the morning?
Definitely not Michigan winters! The multiple blessings of family, friends, and health in my life motivate me to get up and demonstrate, with my attitude, that I deserve them.
Q: What do you find most intriguing about the work you do?
I find it fascinating that my department is responsible for the company’s “cash register.” Measurement ensures that the volume of oil delivered and received is accurate. Enbridge gets paid on volume that is transported through the pipeline, so any losses can equate to enormous amounts of money, resulting in lost revenue for all of us.
Q: Do you have a philosophy on choosing a career, work ethic, or work/life balance?
Life has a strange way of taking you down a career path that you wouldn’t necessarily explore on your own, but it can become rewarding and fulfilling. I feel that a person should give their best effort in all things. This includes; work, family, friends, and personal interests, so a work life balance is extremely important.
Q: What is one quote you live by?
“It’s never too late to become the person you might have been” – George Eliot (pen name for Victorian author Mary Ann Evans)
Q: The goal of International Women’s Day is to celebrate women and their achievements. What would you consider one of your most memorable achievements?
After being struck by another motorist, I was hospitalized with multiple injuries, including a traumatic head injury and crushed pelvis. Despite being out of work for a year and enduring excruciatingly painful physical therapy, I was able to maintain a positive attitude and returned to work and other activities sooner than physicians expected.
