Julia Dalakos

Where are you from, where have you lived, and where do you live now?

I’m from/I live in Schenectady, and I lived in Troy while in college.

Where have you worked in your professional career and what did you do in those roles?

I have worked at a construction materials lab and at an additive plastic manufacturing facility. My role while at the plastics firm was engineering intern, and my role at the construction material lab was a site technician.

In your professional life, where do you find inspiration for your work and where do you go to stay up to date on the industry?

I found a lot of inspiration while at school. I was around professors that led research projects shaping the future of materials science and engineering. My father and sister are also extremely intelligent materials engineers and often stay up to date on up-and-coming technologies with them.

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

In my free time I like to go for walks or hikes, or when it’s cold go skiing. I’m also a part of an adult rowing group where I am the coxswain. Additionally, during the summer I play the French horn in a town band.

What is your favorite holiday?

My favorite holiday is Easter.

What sports do you enjoy watching or playing and who are your favorite teams?

I enjoy watching football, but I don’t really have a favorite team.

What kind of music do you like, and what was the best concert you’ve attended?

I like any type of music besides heavy metal. My favorite concert I ever went to was Tame Impala.

What is your favorite movie and why?

My favorite movie is Waterboy.

Do you have any pets?

I have a dog named Wally.

What book would you recommend to a friend to read and why?

Pegasus Bridge, it is a very interesting book about D-Day.

What are you most passionate about in your personal life? Professional life?

I am very family oriented. I love spending time with my family, especially my two young nieces, being an aunt has been one of the most rewarding things ever. I would say I am most passionate in my career about learning new things. The world of engineering and our society is constantly advancing, and it is so interesting how much can be learned about the world around you.

How long have you been working in your field?

I have been out of college for almost a year and a half now.

Describe your job in three sentences.

My job consists of quality testing to help customers improve their technologies. I work to provide consist and accurate data and am constantly innovating my process to become more efficient and reliable.

How does your education connect to your professional career?

Just about everything I do has some aspect of materials engineering woven into it. A lot of the problems our customers face is due to a flawed material, or the desire to improve a material in their systems.

If you weren’t doing what you do today, what other job would you have?

Making ice cream for the Dutch Udder Craft Ice Cream. I was an ice cream scooper in college, and I always told my boss, if I ever leave engineering I will be making ice cream for her.

If you were to tell one person “Thank You” for helping me become the person I am today, who would it be and what did they do?

My father. His passion for engineering and support has shaped me to be who I am professionally. He always believed in me and always pushed me to be better.

Are you a member of any professional organizations?

No.

What have you always wanted to do and have you done it yet?

Go skydiving, and I have not done it yet, but I hope to one day!