From welding class to the engineering field, the arc of Candis Polite’s career has always been fueled by curiosity. Here, we learn how tenacity and an inquiring mind made one engineer, and how those traits are crucial to developing the engineers of tomorrow.
When Candis Polite recalls the genesis of her engineering journey, it isn’t equations and classrooms that come to mind. Instead, she remembers the excitement of tearing things apart to see how they worked and the thrill of creating something completely new.
“My love for math and science, along with my desire to combine curiosity with creativity, made engineering a natural career choice,” she said. “As a child, I kept asking my parents for the next new science kit and would tinker with anything I could get my hands on, whether to take it apart or build something new.”
But there were not many engineering-related opportunities for Polite by the time she reached high school. Determined to find a creative engineering-adjacent outlet, she enrolled in what she called the next best thing: a welding class.
“It was hard, hot work in a male-dominated classroom — in fact, I was the only woman who stuck with it beyond the first day of class — but I found the challenge fun,” she said. That experience strengthened her resolve and gave her an early understanding of what would be needed for a career in engineering.
Inspired by creation, guided by mentors
Polite was surrounded by mentors and engineering inspiration when she was young. It just wasn’t the typical role models, such as an engaging professor or a senior colleague. For Polite, the environment captured her imagination like nothing else, with nature’s architects and builders serving as the apex of design and engineering.
“The natural world is full of beautiful designs that humans model our innovations on. Just look at the compact strength of the honeycomb, for example,” she said. This understanding of design in the natural world still influences her views on engineering solutions.
In time, more traditional mentors became an important part of her development in the field.
“I’ve always looked up to the first engineer who hired me, John Torbert, and I could always tell he believed in me,” she said. When Torbert moved on, his successor, Ken Barnes, picked up where Torbert left off. “Ken is another wonderful mentor and friend. We still talk to this day and love bouncing questions off each other. I hope I can be a similar inspiration to others in the future.”
Now, several years into her career, Polite said that she is determined to pay it forward and provide young engineers the same encouragement extended to her when she was getting into the field.
Leading the Ignite internship program
Polite currently serves as a lead engineer at Actalent, specializing in energy and electrical engineering. She describes her work with Ignite, Actalent’s transmission, distribution, and grid automation internship program, as her “pride and joy.” The company launched the program a year ago and, as with any new initiative, there were some early challenges as the team found its footing. Polite started asking questions about how they could improve the program and offer a better, more meaningful experience for Actalent interns. Those inquiries turned into an opportunity to lead the program going forward, and she hasn’t looked back since.
Polite and her colleague visiting a substation with their intern.
“The program name, Ignite, is what sparked my vision for what I wanted it to become and how I could get it there,” she said. She worked with mentors, interns, and supervisors to identify necessary improvements and then developed the resources and documentation to set new interns up for success. Polite took cues from other intern programs with components she admired and added unique additions of her own to create an enriching, career-launching experience completely unique to her organization.
Today, the program blends expert talks, site visits, and real project work to give interns a comprehensive view of engineering careers. “We put together a speaker series with engineers from across our company so interns could learn about different engineering roles and the utility industry broadly,” she said. Building kits, substation visits, and end-of-program presentations round out the experience, while social gatherings give interns the chance to network, form friendships, and create connections.
The hard work paid off. Polite saw strong engagement and positive feedback from interns and Actalent participants alike, including leadership. “I was so proud when an intern recently told me this has been one of the most well-coordinated programs he’s been a part of, and I’ve heard from lots of mentors that they’re excited for next summer.”
Facing down early career challenges
While Polite’s stewardship of initiatives like the Ignite program displays the confidence of a seasoned leader, she said that it wasn’t always that way. As a young engineer, she was assigned to work with a senior engineer to complete complex electrical studies for a client’s entire campus — a major undertaking covering many buildings. Polite said that she learned a great deal from him and relied heavily on his guidance, perhaps too much so — and then midway through the project, he left the company. Suddenly, she was left to tackle the remainder of the project by herself.
“I had to dig deep and rely on what he had already taught me to face the challenge head on, eventually completing the project successfully. Ultimately, I proved to myself that anything is possible with determination and the right foundation.”
Broadening the pipeline
Polite credits early encouragement as crucial to her development. Today, she is a strong advocate for expanding access to engineering in underrepresented communities. “Driving awareness and sparking curiosity early on is essential for getting more people interested in engineering careers.” For her, it’s about making engineering not just visible but accessible.
“We need to create fun and accessible opportunities that will not only expose students to engineering careers but also keep them engaged.” That requires resources, mentors, and hands-on experiences — elements she knows firsthand can make all the difference.
The strength of many voices
For Polite, few things fuel the engine of innovation like diversity within a team.
“Teams are like puzzles. Each member is a different piece shaped by their unique experiences, strengths, and background. One puzzle piece alone can’t complete the picture, but when you combine different people’s pieces together, you create something greater than the sum of its parts,” she said.
It’s a philosophy that still defines her leadership style today. Diverse engineering challenges require diverse perspectives.
Building confidence through curiosity
Asked what advice she would give to young engineers just getting into the field, she said a focus on humility, curiosity, and courage is at the forefront. “You need to stay curious and put yourself out there. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, admit when you don’t know something, and learn from those around you.”
Polite (top left) kicking off the 2025 Ignite Internship Program speaker series.
She was also quick to emphasize that risk-taking — stepping out of one’s comfort zone — is often the shortest path to real growth. “Just ask yourself, ‘What’s the worst thing that could happen?’ It’s usually not the end of the world if it doesn’t work out. Missteps can be our greatest teachers because they push us to be better.”
Looking ahead: supporting women in engineering
Polite said that if she had unlimited time and resources, her focus would be on bringing more women into the field of electrical engineering. “Only about 10% of electrical engineers in the U.S. are women, which is low even compared to other engineering disciplines.” This imbalance adds even more barriers to entry for many women who might otherwise pursue the career.
Polite believes the foundation of the solution here is exposure. “Getting more women into electrical engineering starts by exposing them to engineering career paths when they’re still in school, with encouragement and support, including internships and mentorship opportunities,” she said.
Polite (5th from left) at a Top Golf team outing with colleagues during training (2024).
While foundational, exposure is only the beginning. Polite has also put out the call for cultural change within the engineering field. “I strongly believe all engineers should feel supported and valued from day one. Their skills should be recognized and appreciated without bias, and it’s important for all colleagues to actively foster a culture of inclusion and support.”
A lasting spark
From childhood science kits and welding helmets in high school, to daunting early projects and innovative internship programs, Candis Polite’s story is one of curiosity, mentorship, and advocacy. It also serves as a reminder that engineering is as much about the people as it is about the technology. She leads by walking the walk and setting a strong example. “I hope I can be a similar inspiration to others in the future.”
