Name: Kimberly Hillmer
Grade: May 2014 Graduate of Marquette University.
Germ’s August Girl of the Month, Kimberly Hillmer, is all warm smiles and spunky attitude, but you don’t have to be around her long to figure out that there’s also a lot of focus amongst all that fun. In May of 2014, Kim graduated from Marquette University with a BS in Biomechanical Engineering. Her focus is on pediatric rehabilitation, and she designs devices to help kids with physical handicaps or injuries in their rehab programs. She also works to improve the designs that clinicians are currently using to treat infants and kids to make the treatments easier and less painful. Even with all of this, Kim still finds time to participate in Hunger Clean Up and Hunger Task Force, and she organizes fundraisers for the Milwaukee Women’s Center and models for their Bottomless Closet Program. Perhaps the most remarkable thing is that — besides doing all of this while making the Dean’s List — Kim does all of this while being a single mom to her 18-month-old son Wesley. Germ got a chance to talk to Kim about how she does it all:
Q: As you look back on high school, what advice would you give your high school self, knowing what you know now?
A: I would tell myself to not worry about what other people think or say. Sometimes there is a lot of anxiety about how to act around other people, especially new people. It is really tempting to try and become a certain type of person. In the end, however, you have to live with yourself and like the person you become. It is more important to make yourself proud than pleasing other people.
Q: What were some of the most important things that determined your college choice?
A: Unlike many high school seniors, I knew exactly what I wanted to go to school for. I was on my high school’s FIRST Robotics team, and that is what got me interested in engineering. I didn’t really consider any other career field. After exploring many different kinds, I fell in love with biomedical engineering. This restricted my choices to Madison, MSOE, and Marquette.
I ultimately chose Marquette because I felt at home and welcomed when I toured the campus. It was important to me that I felt comfortable with the campus and general atmosphere. It really felt like a big campus community while still being close knit.
Q: Tell us abou
t being a single mom in college. How do you make it all work?
A: I get asked this question a lot. I have had many people say that they admire everything I have been able to do and don’t think they could manage it all. The truth is, I don’t really think about it; I just do it. I think the key is to just take it one day at a time, not let the work get on top of me, and know my limits. The most daunting semester by far was the first semester of my senior year. At that time I had a nine-month-old, three jobs, fifteen credits of engineering courses, my senior design project, and trained for and received my black belt in Taekwondo. One problem that I notice with other girls in similar situations is that they just get overwhelmed by it all. Maybe it is the analytical engineer in me, but I just broke down my time. I knew what I had to accomplish and planned my time accordingly. If I let myself worry too much about what I had to do or feel sorry for myself, then nothing would get done. No one else is responsible for these things, so I had to re-prioritize and step up to the plate.
Q: What have you learned about yourself through it all?
A: Being a mom in college has made me more appreciative and motivated. I am fortunate to have a great support system and be in a position where I can continue in school. I have come to realize that I had been taking my time at Marquette for granted, especially in my freshman year. I did not always make the best choices, and sometimes it got me into trouble. I got caught up in things that ultimately were not important. It may sound strange to say, but having my son was one of the best things that happened for my academics. The first semester after I had him, I made it onto the College of Engineering’s Dean’s List for the first time. Not everyone has an opportunity like the one I was presented with, so I better not waste it. I have never been more focused or appreciative of what I have. One of my biggest pieces of advice to other girls is to learn to be humble and to find something that truly motivates you.
Q: What are some of your interests outside of school? How do they inspire you?
A: Taekwondo is one of my favorite activities outside of school. I have met people from all walks of life, and I love the sense of community that forms around training groups. There is something to learn from everyone I train with, whether it be about the sport or about life. Some are young children, elderly adults, veterans, executives, fellow students, and many more.
While an undergraduate at Marquette, I joined a sorority, Alpha Chi Omega. If you had asked me in high school if I was going to become a sorority girl, I would have laughed at the question. I don’t think I owned a single piece of pink clothing, and wearing a bow in my hair was not even an option. I certainly was not the “typical sorority girl,” but there was nothing wrong with that. I don’t think I could name a single girl that fit the stereotypical mold. A big lesson I have learned from my sisters is the first step in forming a relationship is opening your mouth. It seems like everyone has a unique talent or interest. In a chapter of over 100 girls, chances are, someone else does too. Without putting yourself out there a little bit and opening your mouth, you may miss out on a chance to bond with that other person. It’s okay to be a little bit weird and let it show because, chances are, someone else is just as weird.
Q: What are your career plans?
A: Currently I am going to be starting graduate school at Marquette University and the Medical College of Wisconsin. The program I am doing is called Healthcare Technologies Management, and it is essentially an MBA for biomedical engineers. Ultimately, I want to get into Clinical Engineering, which is like being the manager of all the devices within a hospital. I am really interested in hospitals and clinical settings, and this kind of position allows engineers to be based directly in a hospital. Much of the work that is involved is bridging the gap between engineers in the industry and the clinical professionals, such as doctors and nurses. These engineers listen to the needs of the people actually using the devices but also have the technical knowledge of how the devices are made and developed. I want to make a difference, so what better way than helping people who save lives on a daily basis?
Q: Tell us about your average day?
A: Being a mom, my average day revolves around my son. No more are the days when I can sleep until 1 and watch Netflix the entire day. I have to wake up and get us both ready for the day. As much as I hate getting out of bed, I love when I walk into his room and his face lights up to say hello. If I don’t have to go to work, we usually spend the whole day outside. There is always a new game to play, and he never seems to get sick of going on walks. In the afternoon comes the best time of the day: nap time. This is the prime time to get things done, like homework during the school year. It still surprises me sometimes how little time I have to myself with an 18-month-old. In the evening there is usually something going on, such as Tuesday night softball games, family dinners, or simply just errands to run. Bed time is a strict 8 pm, and that is when I can find time for myself. Even though I am a mom, I realized I can still find time to act my age. Everyone needs a bit of a break sometimes to have fun.
Q: Who inspires you?
A: One of my best friends, Chelsea, inspires me. It’s a little spooky how closely our lives follow each other. We knew each other when we were in grade school because our mothers worked at the same place. It wasn’t until we were juniors in college that we reconnected. We both ended up going to Marquette, and when I was 8 months pregnant, she had an 8-month-old son. When going through something so unique, it can feel lonely. It finally felt good to have someone who knew exactly what it was like and was making it work. I was so unsure about how I was going to continue in school and if I would still be able to have a life. If it wasn’t for her and hearing all that she was accomplishing, I don’t think I would have been so successful. She really made me realize that just because we were young mothers, we could still do anything and everything; it just might take a bit more work.
Q: What makes you laugh?
A: My son makes me laugh. Every day he discovers something new, and I love that I can be there when he does. He will notice the littlest of things and find joy in it. There is always this little glimmer in his eyes and the biggest, toothy grin. He is so goofy and laughs at everything, so I can’t help but join in.
My friends make me laugh. Everyone needs those couple of people that they can truly be themselves around and let their guard down. I have held onto a handful of my high school friends, and I value my relationships with them immensely. We may not stay in constant contact, especially during the school year, but it seems like no time has passed when we do hang out. We can literally spend hours talking about everything and nothing. I don’t think I laugh harder than when I am with them. It is very important to hold on to those kinds of people in your life. They will always make you feel like you belong and remind you who you really are.
Q: What do you love most about summer?
A: My favorite part about summer is definitely Summerfest! It is one of my favorite times of the year. There are usually at least a handful of my favorite bands that show up, and I always seem to discover something new. Concerts are great because you can sing at the top of your lungs, and no one can hear if you get the lyrics wrong.
Thanks for spending time with us, Kim, and sharing your story. You are really an inspiration for girls who want to do it all!