She is one of just two women who work in a department that employs over 50 men. But that fact has never deterred Ubben from reaching and obtaining her goals.

“I don’t know any differently because I pursued the work that I thought would fulfill me,” Ubben said. “I wanted a career that combined my interest in business and technology.”

Ubben, a Fort Dodge resident who holds an associate of applied science degree in business technology from Iowa Central Community College, has been employed at Corn Belt since June 2003.

She worked as an administrative assistant in the engineering department for about four years. In the spring of 2007, she became a drafting and design technician. Then in 2019 she moved to her current role as engineering and operations assistant in the engineering department.

Ubben recalls that when she first applied for a position at Corn Belt, the company was looking for someone proficient in Microsoft programs.

“I applied for the job and was awarded the position,” Ubben said. “This was a steppingstone to where I am today. In the four years I was in this position I learned about the engineering and system operations department and became knowledgeable about our system.”

Eventually, there was a need for someone to update plans and profiles and electrical wiring diagrams.

“They asked if I would be interested learning AutoCAD,” Ubben said. “Once I had the basic training, I started updating profiles and electrical wiring diagrams and realized AutoCAD was a program I really enjoyed. It was something I had never worked with, and I loved the challenge of learning it.”

In 2007, retirements and job changes led to the need for a drafting and design technician job.

“I remember going to my now boss and asking him if he thought I would qualify to apply for the position,” Ubben said. “He watched me grow in my first four years at Corn Belt Power Cooperative and saw I caught on quickly to AutoCAD and he encouraged me to apply.”

After earning the job, Corn Belt sent her to advanced AutoCAD training.

“I’m thankful they invest in their employees with continuing education opportunities,” Ubben said. “Over the years I took on more responsibility and in 2019 I was promoted to engineering and operations assistant.”

Ubben typically works from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional hours are worked when she’s needed to manage storm recovery.

Her work presents its share of challenges.

“We have a variety of projects to manage from maintenance and system upgrades to new builds that support future load growth in our service territory,” Ubben said. “It requires agility and time management to keep everything on track.”

One of her favorite aspects of the job is seeing a project through from start to finish.

“It’s rewarding to see projects through from beginning to end, from planning and design, to building and energizing a transmission line, substation or switching station,” she said.

Ubben said sometimes there’s misconceptions about her job or any job, but she doesn’t entertain those misconceptions.

“I never let those misconceptions interfere with my choice to go after my goals,” she said.

Ubben said Corn Belt has been a great company to grow in.

“Great leadership, family-oriented culture and positive values are just a few things that make Corn Belt Power Cooperative a great place to work,” she said.

Ubben said gender is a nonfactor in choosing a career.

“Don’t let your gender hold you back on a career path,” she said. “No matter what you do, if you work hard and love what you do, you will be successful.”