A Clarkson Legacy of Curiosity and Quirk
Some Clarkson alumni are remembered for their academic achievements, others for their career successes—but Heather Woods might best be remembered for never wearing shoes.
“I got away with it in the cafeteria by using my toes to hold down the front of my bell bottoms,” she laughs. “I was also occasionally a bit of a prankster, which may or may not have included temporarily ‘borrowing’ all of an Honors classmate’s shoes or shoelaces for a few days. The Honors Program was full of brilliant, quirky people, and we kept each other on our toes—sometimes literally.”
An Unconventional Path to Success
That blend of intellect, curiosity and mischief has shaped Heather’s career in unexpected ways. After earning dual degrees in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering from Clarkson in 2003, she started in the traditional world of DoD contracting, building quality assurance systems and jumping at every chance to work in the field. But after nearly a decade, she felt the itch to do something different.
What followed was an unconventional path filled with surprising skills—she can now make a mean latte, sew a wedding dress, and once performed as a professional ballroom dancer at a wedding attended by members of the Boston Celtics. Eventually, she found herself drawn back to numbers and problem-solving, leading her to earn a Master’s in Applied Data Science from Clarkson in 2022.
Engineering the Future of Flight
Today, Heather is a data engineer and tech lead at Beta Technologies in South Burlington, Vermont, working at the forefront of sustainable aviation. “I couldn’t be more excited about shaping the future of flight—especially alongside such incredible people,” she says. “In many ways, my experience here reminds me of my time in the Honors Program, working with people who have vastly different skills but the same drive to build something meaningful.”
Lessons from Clarkson Last a Lifetime
Reflecting on her time at Clarkson, Heather credits the Honors Program with giving her more than just technical expertise—it taught her how to truly listen, navigate tough conversations and collaborate across disciplines. “The ability to communicate and bring together different perspectives has shaped my career in ways I never could have anticipated,” she says.
Looking Ahead with Curiosity
As for the future? Heather doesn’t have a rigid five-year plan, but she follows a simple philosophy: keep approaching it with curiosity—learning, teaching, and exploring. One day, she’d love to have a hobby farm, but for now, she’s busy building the future of aviation—and maybe brainstorming her next alumni prank.
And in case you were wondering, she does wear shoes to work these days—when she goes into the office.
