Problem-solving with a purpose. That’s the essence of the engineering mindset that draws many to the field. This International Women in Engineering Day, we’re celebrating the story of one of our female engineers who exemplifies that exact approach in action.
KB Pasternock is a Sales Engineer on our Applied Sales team at Thermosystems. With a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Iowa, she brings a strong drive to connect people with innovative solutions. Keep reading to uncover what brought her to the HVAC industry, the lessons that shaped her path, and how she’s grown into an impactful engineer.
With a long-standing love for math and problem-solving, KB set out to find a career that would allow her to combine her technical mindset with meaningful collaboration. After deciding on engineering, things felt like a natural fit. “It gave me the ability to lean into my analytical strengths and simultaneously explore a career filled with variety,” KB says.
Coming to the HVAC industry from another field of work, she was drawn to the ability to blend customer connection with the technical problem-solving she found most fulfilling. “From the start, there was never a day when I wasn’t learning something new,” she recalled. Being immersed in new concepts and technologies gave her an entirely new perspective on what problem-solving could look like.
“Working closely with design engineers and exploring the technical details of each project added a new level of depth to my role,” she shared. “There are so many unexpected layers to being a Sales Engineer. Working with different teams pushes you to communicate in new ways.” Navigating this learning curve meant embracing flexibility to the fullest. “Learning from every challenge, whether it be an unfamiliar task or a mistake, has allowed me to better navigate new situations and pivot faster each time,” she said.
Reflecting on pivotal moments in her career, KB still points to one of her first projects as a Sales Engineer. “I felt like I contributed in a meaningful way, and it instilled a wave of motivation in me,” she recalled. Seeing her selections come to life, from the basis of design to bidding and ultimately construction, brought everything full circle. In that moment, she saw the real impact of her work.
“Building a community as a woman in engineering has added so much value to both my personal and professional growth,” KB noted. As an active member of Women in ASHRAE (WIA), KB has had the opportunity to connect with and learn from women across the industry. “Hosting WIA events has allowed me to help create spaces for women to explore engineering,” she shared. “It’s been exciting to see it grow.”
Alongside building a network, KB emphasized that cultivating authentic relationships has been key to her growth. “Over time, I realized the power of being myself,” she shared. “It’s allowed me to do meaningful work and trust in my abilities every step of the way.” This is a perspective she wholeheartedly encourages women considering a career in STEM to embrace. “Diversity—in thought, background, and experience—is incredibly powerful in engineering,” she shared. “Be confident in your seat at the table and bring your ideas. That’s what drives better processes and more innovative outcomes!”
Looking ahead, KB is excited to see how innovation continues to shape the industry. As new solutions and markets emerge, she looks forward to helping customers explore those new possibilities. “The essence of my job is exploring the unknown,” she shared. “In an ever-evolving industry like HVAC, this becomes more energizing day by day.”
Sales engineering is a unique combination of technical expertise and co-creation. Interested to learn more about what this career path entails? Read more about the career journies of our engineers by visiting our blog page.
