10 Questions with Naomi Tanaka
What do you do for your job?
I work in the Water Rights group at MBK, where I help clients navigate through the water right application and permitting process, analyze and report water use, maintain regulatory compliance, and provide technical support for water transfers.
How did you get into engineering?
I hate to feed into the stereotype, but I pretty much was given three options for acceptable career choices: doctor, lawyer, or engineer. Let’s just say going to additional schooling for medicine or law on my own dime did not sound very appealing… Good thing I was always good at math, thank you, Kumon (if you know, you know)!
What is the best part of your job?
I love hearing from clients that they really appreciate our help. It’s even more fun when the thank you is passed along in the form of the produce they grow or products they make! We take on tasks that might feel small to us, but seeing how appreciative our clients are to have our assistance is so rewarding!
What skill would you like to master?
Be able to quickly recite the alphabet backwards.
What hobby would you get into if time and money were not an issue?
I would bake and try to be a self-made pastry chef. I would try out new recipes that I would review and post on my blog and make short recipe videos that might end up on someone’s Instagram Reels algorithm. Then, maybe I could be on The Great British Baking Show (after I become a UK resident).
What fictional place would you most like to visit?
Asgard, specifically in the multiverse where Loki looks like Tom Hiddleston.
What job would you be terrible at?
IT help desk. I think I would get fired by asking the person if they even tried to Google their problem or blowing up at them responding “no” to me after I ask if they have tried restarting their computer first.
What takes up too much of your time?
Unfortunately, doom scrolling on TikTok or playing sudoku on my phone.
What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?
Reasons why “Doodles” are the worst designer dog breed and why you should never purchase a “Doodle” from a breeder.
What is the most impressive thing you know how to do?
I do an above-average impression of Perry the Platypus from Phineas and Ferb. However, I can’t do it on the spot if you pressure me, it just needs to come naturally.
