Carey Smith - Honeywell

Carey Smith is the President of Honeywell Technology Solutions Inc. (HTSI), a subsidiary within Honeywell Aerospace.  Since September 2011, Carey has led the HTSI business that provides space, networks and communications, technical services and logistics support for the Department of Defense and civilian customers. 

Throughout her career, Carey has managed complex operations across hundreds of worldwide locations, delivered excellent contract performance and consistently demonstrated both top and bottom line growth.  Her career in the aerospace and defense industry spans 26 years.  Carey has a B.S.E.E. from Ohio Northern University and a M.S.E.E. from Syracuse University.

Why do you believe STEM Education and Workforce are important to our nation?

The viability and success of our nation depend upon a strong STEM education and workforce.  The STEM disciplines are imperative to drive innovation and change which set the future direction and pace of the world. 

Facing an aging engineering population coupled with an increased technical skill demand, we need to encourage our younger generation to pursue STEM careers. 

What is your concept of mentoring and sponsorship of others for STEM careers?

STEM sponsorship must start with the earliest education levels.  To engage young children in STEM fields, we need to relate to areas that interest them, like space, robotics and computer gaming.  Sponsoring children to participate in robotics, Math Counts, science fair, “take your child to work day” and speaking at schools about STEM promotes interest.

Good mentors and role models help individuals understand their field and more importantly focus on lifelong learning and development. Mentorship is particularly important for encouraging women and minorities to enter STEM careers. According to a recent study by NBC Today, 76% of all STEM jobs are held by men. Minority participation also lags.  We should increase the diversity of our STEM population to get all of the best ideas.

What about STEM gives you passion?

When I was young, my father encouraged me to become an engineer.  He gave me a tour of the steel mill where he worked and showed me how engineers designed new products and improved processes through automation.  At an early age, I knew that engineering was the right career for me since it was one where I could make a difference.

Today, STEM gives me passion by developing the young people that will change the future of tomorrow.  STEM education creates critical thinkers and the next generation of innovators who will solve our most difficult challenges, like renewable energy, medical solutions, and advanced transportation. 

How is your company innovating to promote STEM?

Math and science education is a key pillar of Honeywell Hometown Solutions. We inspire the next generation to pursue technical fields through programs including:

FMA Live: This multimedia show teaches middle school students about physics with hip-hop music, videos and experiments. Sponsored by Honeywell and NASA, FMA Live travels to ~40 middle schools throughout the U.S. and Canada each year.  www.fmalive.com.

Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy: Honeywell sends 250 teachers every year to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Participants engage in hands-on activities and teaching techniques through simulated astronaut training and innovative tools that bring science to life in the classroom. http://educators.honeywell.com/

Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy:  Honeywell sends more than 200 children of employees to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama to develop skills through science-oriented workshops and exercises which encourage high school students to pursue math and science careers. http://leadership.honeywell.com/

Honeywell Initiative for Science & Engineering: Honeywell partners with universities to inspire  students to pursue careers in science through lectures hosted by Honeywell fellows and Nobel laureates on engineering and its impact to research and development, new products and value creation. http://www.honeywellscience.com/