Embarking on a career in mechanical engineering, a traditionally male-dominated industry, Marina Goocher says, “that never intimidated me.” That’s because the recent UM-Dearborn graduate spent much of her life on the mat with the guys as a champion wrestler. “Going into engineering, I knew it was a male-dominated field but it didn't really bother me since I grew up as the only female in an entire gym of guys.” At UM-Dearborn, Goocher helped launch the university’s wrestling team and eventually earned a title as a four-time collegiate national champion. It’s the lessons she’s learned on the mat that Goocher will carry into her career as a product development engineer at Ford Motor Co. in the fall. “Being a female in engineering and wrestling has helped me grow and realize that I can help others do the same.”

Marina, in her own words

On life as a UM-Dearborn grad. “I majored in mechanical engineering because it was a field that I could be innovative and create the next tomorrow. I work as a product development engineer at Ford Motor Co. in the FCG [Ford College Graduate] Program. I work in interiors, so right now with this rotational program that I'm in, I get to explore a lot of different options within interiors and see what the great field of engineering has to offer. I’ve also worked in seat comfort and I'm currently in a design validation testing for the instrument panel of the car. There are so many more options and rotations I'll have in the future.”

On lessons learned at UM-Dearborn. “My time as an athlete at UM-Dearborn has helped me grow in many ways. For one, when I started here at U-M Dearborn, they didn't have a wrestling team for women. I worked with the Athletic Department and my coach, and we were able to form a women's wrestling team. Being able to grow as an athlete, and learning that if you want something you don't let any obstacles get in your way, are some of the greatest things I've learned.”

On being a Difference Maker. “I am a Difference Maker because I try to help people when I can. With the Society of Women Engineers, all the female engineers band together and help each other out, whether that's scheduling classes or helping people find jobs and opportunities for internships. It's kind of cool to form a little community within UM-Dearborn to make friends and help each other out professionally.”