Career Pathways
Nikki Murphy
To be a part of a community of people who are collaborating to provide power all over the world… that is something!”
Welding Technology, Associate’s in Mechanical Engineering, Project Management Certificate, Forsyth Tech
BS, Industrial Engineering Technology, East Carolina University
Project Manager, Siemens Energy
When Nikki Murphy, a project manager at Siemens Energy, first considered entering the field of advanced manufacturing, she wasn’t sure which pathway was right for her, but she knew she was drawn to the sector. Nikki had always loved figuring out what makes things operate and how they work. She constantly wondered how things could work better. She knew that with the right skills, she could use these talents in her career path.
Advanced manufacturing is a leading industry in Forsyth County, with a workforce of 16,000 and growing. The interest in expanding and locating manufacturing operations here is palpable with advanced manufacturing projects accounting for about half of the current economic development pipeline. The industry offers a wide range of career pathways demanding a wide range of specialized skill sets.
Nikki’s first step into the field was attending Forsyth Tech – first obtaining a welding technology diploma in 2014 and then an Associate’s in Mechanical Engineering in 2017 and a project management certificate in 2018.
“Attending a technical college provided firsthand training that gave me an avenue to careers that would increase my quality of life,” says Nikki. “My career counselor helped me select the program of study that best suited my natural characteristics.”
Having obtained her training in welding technology, Nikki began her career at Siemens Energy in 2014 starting as a metallurgical technician. While working at Siemens, she continued to develop her skills through education, first with her Forsyth Tech associate’s degree and then with a Bachelor’s of Science in Industrial Engineering at East Carolina University.
Nikki now serves as a project manager at Siemens Energy, overseeing teams that repair and manufacture turbines and other parts that are essential to maintaining the power grid across the United States.
The Siemens Energy Winston Service Center has been in operation for more than 50 years in Rural Hall and has continuously worked closely with Forsyth Tech to develop the workforce pipeline.
“The programs offered through Forsyth Tech closely align with the skills we are expecting for our employees, says plant manager Cory Phillips. “We see these programs as critical for our workforce development today and in the future.”
Siemens Energy collaborates with Forsyth Tech in many ways, including as an employer partner with the LEAP program (Learn and Earn Apprenticeship Program) and the BILT Team (Business and Industry Leadership Team). Nikki currently serves as the BILT team chair, leading the group as employers come together to inform curriculums and programs of study offered at Forsyth Tech so they are aligned with workforce needs.
“Employer partnerships are exceptionally important to the success of our students and programs. The employers collectively provide insight into their needs so we can better tailor the curriculum,” says Cyndi Johnson, Advanced Manufacturing Department Chair at Forsyth Tech.
“For the BILT partnership, we have seen great benefit in providing feedback and direction to various program curriculums to ensure the students are receiving skills to directly apply in the workplace today. By allowing employers to have input into the program direction, it helps to ensure the education students receive translates on the job,” says Cyndi.
For Nikki, turning her lifelong curiosity about how things work into a successful engineering career has been fulfilling. While her career is rewarding, family comes first. “My wife and daughter are the most important people in my life. I aim to be a great mother and positive role model for my daughter,” Nikki says.
Those who know Nikki say she is succeeding in being a positive role model not only for her daughter but for other women like her who are interested in STEM careers. “Nikki is proof that hard work can pay off. She is also proof that women have a place in this field. Since I entered the manufacturing industry in the 80s, I have seen women work hard to prove they belong – and Nikki has done that. She is a role model for female students in several of our programs,” says Cyndi Johnson.
Nikki says to understand the impact of her career, just flip a light switch. “We all have a vital role at Siemens Energy in contributing to the manufacturing and repairs of turbine engines. For anyone who would like to know how that feels, turn the light switch off and on again. To be a part of a community of people who are collaborating to provide power all over the world… well, that is something!”
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Advanced Manufacturing
Winston-Salem is a city built on industry and reimagined for the future. Our manufacturing capabilities now encompass advanced methods of production and high-tech systems. We are home to nearly three hundred manufacturing companies, all poised perfectly amid five interstates, three major rail lines, an international airport, and ample utility infrastructure.
Aviation & Aerospace
Major aerospace and aviation companies take flight in Winston-Salem, growing both their manufacturing and corporate operations. The workforce in this sector is diverse, ranging from aircraft designers and engineers to technical manufacturers. As the aerospace and aviation industry continues to grow, so do the region’s training programs and educational offerings. Across the region and state, aviation and aerospace operations are in good company in a strong industry sector that generates $72 billion in economic impact.
Business
Winston-Salem is home to some of the biggest names in business. Hanesbrands, Reynolds American, Inmar and Garner Foods are headquartered here, while financial services companies like Truist and Wells Fargo have major operations here. This city continues to attract companies of all industries and sizes thanks to its central location, access to half of the US population within 650 miles, educated workforce and ecosystem of innovation.
Construction
The skilled trades are in high demand in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Major redevelopment projects and a multitude of new commercial and residential construction projects fuel the demand for construction expertise among varied trades. From large projects like constructing new highway infrastructure or building new facilities at a major hospital system, to residential home repair, renovations, or building new construction for single-family or multi-family living – you are building the future with a career in construction.
Healthcare & Life Sciences
As the county’s two largest employers, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and Novant Health sit at the epicenter of the healthcare and life sciences sector. The healthcare industry is booming in Forsyth County thanks to an extensive network of local care providers. These medical centers offer expertise in more than 100 areas of medicine, including specialties in cancer treatment, pediatrics, neurology and more.
Technology & Entrepreneurship
Tech startups hit their stride in Winston-Salem, where entrepreneurs are encouraged and supported by local programs, funds and groups. Winston-Salem’s entrepreneurial ecosystem fosters a sense of creative growth among local self-starters. Winston-Salem is home to strong infrastructure and a network of connections to help you grow your business.