Meet the Scholars

Tell us a little bit about you

This year, I served as a Construction Manager for a volunteer project with Engineers in Action, bringing clean drinking water to a high school in rural Eswatini (Southern Africa). I enjoy immersing myself in new cultures, and applying engineering to real-world challenges in a hands-on setting. My dream is to continue bringing essential infrastructure to communities all over the world to help as many people as possible. Looking back at my experience in Eswatini, the most meaningful part wasn’t the technical skills I gained, rather the people I met. I’m driven by a love for real connection and collaboration with people across different disciplines and cultures. Learning alongside my extraordinary peers, mentors, and local community members was, and I hope will continue to be, my greatest accomplishment.

What inspired you to pursue a STEM career?

My interest in STEM started with a natural curiosity for problem solving in science and math and for how things worked, but what really solidified my passion for it was my high school co-op. In the summer before my senior year I did a co-op placement at a metal fabrication company. Working with CAD drawings, getting hands-on experience in the shop and seeing projects physically come to life in an industrial setting opened my eyes to the impact of engineering, which inspired me to pursue it.

Any advice for young women pursuing a STEM career?

Don’t be afraid to take up space in rooms where women are underrepresented (which are most rooms in STEM fields) and put yourself out there. Say yes to every opportunity and figure out the ‘how’ later. I especially encourage young women to seek out global opportunities. It can broaden your horizons and it also shows you first hand how valuable female perspectives and leadership are on an international scale.