![\"Collette](\"http:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/cbee\/files\/2018\/03\/Gaona.jpg\")
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Colette Gaona, a 2008 graduate in chemical engineering, was honored at the 2018 Oregon Stater Awards, held Feb. 22 in Portland, where she joined the Council of Early Career Engineers.<\/p>\n
Knowing the actual chemistry behind environmental contamination issues is what sets Gaona apart from her colleagues. She is one of just three chemical engineering professionals on Landau Associates\u2019 staff of 92 employees.<\/p>\n
\u201cI often get calls when a more technical explanation is needed concerning chemical contaminants,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
In her 9 1\/2-year career with Landau Associates, Gaona has conducted a number of field studies that include finding and tracing the pathways of pollutants, evaluating analytical data, preparing technical reports, and developing cleanup recommendations for aerospace, industrial, and public sector facilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cI enjoy playing the role of detective in helping our clients solve problems,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Gaona is now taking it to the next level. Landau Associates is an employee-owned company, and she ran for a seat on the firm\u2019s board of directors in 2016. Now in her second year on the board, she serves as corporate secretary.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a great opportunity to learn about the company and the business of my profession from a different perspective,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Gaona also has stepped into a leadership role in the firm\u2019s Portland office, overseeing larger projects and staff. And she\u2019s accomplished all this while embarking on parenthood \u2014 her second child is due in April.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s worked out well,\u201d she said, \u201cI\u2019m learning how to balance and excel in new areas while becoming a mom.\u201d<\/p>\n
For students entering the profession, especially women, she offers this advice:<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have to take the traditional route, but women must have passion if they want to advance in this industry. Excellent mentors and internships provided by the School of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering prepared me for real-life work. If you don\u2019t take internships, it\u2019s tough to get your foot in the door. Wisdom, education, tenacity, and a little experience help you get noticed.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Colette Gaona, a 2008 graduate in chemical engineering, was honored at the 2018 Oregon Stater Awards, held Feb. 22 in Portland, where she joined the Council of Early Career Engineers. Knowing the actual chemistry behind environmental contamination issues is what sets Gaona apart from her colleagues. She is one of just three chemical engineering professionals … <\/p>\n