Diana (@latina_engineer)
Youtube channel about being in STEM. I make guides with tips and advice about topics for engineering students and early professional. I also cover other topics in hopes to bring attention to them such as challenges women and Latinas face in STEM. I make videos in English and Spanish.
Speaks about women + diversity in STEM/Breaking stereotypes. I want to normalize the image of a Latina engineer. I also want girls to know that they can be themselves and be engineers. I embrace pink and a feminine style because it is something that I enjoy and that goes against the typical female in engineering model.
Big senior design project. We were blessed to partner up with a company (WeatherGuard) for our senior design project. So we were able to experience the industry feel and work with engineers.
Experience in engineering internships. I was able to have very interesting opportunities such as being in the production floor. I was also able to land a job through my internships which I started before I even graduated!
What is your job?
I am a Manufacturing Engineer at Methode Electronics.
When did you first realize you wanted to do STEM?
My favorite subject was math so I knew I wanted to do something with it. But it wasn’t until I took my first physics class that I found out I wanted to pursue a career in STEM. I love problem-solving and critical thinking that comes with engineering.
Did you partake in any internships? What did you do, and what did they teach you?
I did 2 internships at the company I currently work for. They were at 2 different divisions. During the first one, I focused on engineering design. During my second one, I focused on manufacturing engineering, which is the job that I took upon completing my internship. Both divisions were small (less than 100 employees) so I got to explore different areas of engineering and different roles. While I interned, I learned about design processes which included material research and selection, as well as all the paperwork that comes with new designs as well as design changes.
We saw on your Instagram you did a big senior project! Tell us about it!
My school was implementing a new program for senior design. We partnered up with WeatherGuard. For our project, we worked with an existing storage truck toolbox. We were tasked to create accessories for this box. The biggest challenge was bringing power into the box. We used a combination of power from solar panels and rechargeable batteries to store the power. We were able to create tool holders, different lighting mechanisms, and organization accessories. I was the team leader of this group so I was in charge of all the communication between the company and the group as well as with the school. The biggest takeaway was being able to work with engineers from the industry.
What other personal projects do you have, and what are they?
My page Latina Engineer. I want to advocate for minorities, immigrants, and Latinos in STEM. I want to show that anyone can do engineering. I spend my time outside of work making videos, empowering posts, useful guides for students, and even attending virtual events as a speaker. In November, I will be a speaker at an engineering conference in Mexico! I also run a small Etsy shop that focuses on creating items that empower women in STEM.
Who were your role models growing up?
I didn’t really have any role models as I grew up other than my parent which were both STEM majors. In college, my biggest inspiration was Katherine Johnson.
Did you ever want to do anything else?
I was never sure of what I wanted to study, but before I picked engineering, I researched every single career I could think of. But eventually, I found that engineering was my calling.
How has being Latina affected your STEM journey?
Not only being a Latina but also being an immigrant has affected my journey. When I arrived in the US, others would make fun of my accent, and even counselors would tell me that I could be successful because of my background. Luckily, I didn’t listen.
What’s one thing you’d like to change about the STEM community?
I want to push to make men in STEM more proactive about supporting women. While many do support, they do not necessarily show it. However, this is a super important thing to do! We are still far from being equal and only with their support, we can change the environment. I faced challenges as a woman in STEM, such as classmates wanting to take advantage of me. I want to change this!
Is there a problem with sexism in the STEM community?
There is! Not only did I go through my entire degree feeling lonely, but I think male engineering students are the ones most sexists. Once I got to work everyone finally treated me with respect and close to equal, but still, from time to time I get assigned the more secretary roles.
What’s your message for young teens wanting to do STEM?
If it is something that you feel passionate about, it is definitely worth it. It might get hard at times, but only by working hard and not giving up is how you will succeed
What is the most embarrassing moment in your life?
I am really awaked and clumsy so there are a ton. I have fallen down in front of big audiences more than once.
What is your favorite food?
Mangos
What can be done to make STEM more diverse?
Show them how diverse it can be. For example with engineering, no one talks about how many things you can do with it such as fashion engineering, or cosmetics!!!
My biggest quote that got me through school and everything else is: Feel the fear and do it anyway.
I felt scared every single day of my time in school thinking I wasn’t smart enough, but I made it. The same applies to other things such as public speaking and putting myself out there on my social media. This is the only way to grow. Get out of your comfort zone.
A huge thank you to Diana for joining us today! Be sure to subscribe to receive more STEM-related and science communication content coming to your inbox.
Jessica Zheng
Sci4Teens