I first found my passion for engineering at a women in stem event hosted by the American Heart Association. Women in all different STEM fields were in one building to describe their careers. My eyes widened with curiosity at each table I approached. I didn’t know that there were so many opportunities for me in the world of STEM. ChickTech was also introduced to me and blossomed my love for data analysis. With the help of these organizations, I was able to find my passion for data analysis in mechanical engineering. I am grateful to say that although I am only a junior, I have had an abundance of experiences in the engineering field. Summer of 2021 I worked for CAT. Analyzing field data for hundreds of machines, I was able to pinpoint weaknesses in the machines and common software and mechanical problems that arose. This experience led to my creation of MATLAB files that machine data can run through to detect transmission problems that would otherwise go unnoticed. My passion for data analytics combined with mechanical engineering has led me to begin research at my previous university, Valparaiso University, in which I began to understand how to control haptic devices. My goal for the project was to create a game with the haptic devices for middle schoolers where they would learn how to code the device in a fun and competitive environment. While I transferred before I could fully pursue the research project, I still learned about the research process and how limitless the possibilities are when given the time and space to do so. For my remaining year at UIC, I hope to continue to find a way to use my passion for data and mechanical engineering to make technology more accessible and encourage diversity in STEM fields. I believe these passions can combine in a testing and validation engineering career. This mission does not end when I leave UIC. Wherever I work post-graduation, I aim to set an example for younger generations of how STEM can be fun and that they can put their minds to anything they want to accomplish. Volunteering with organizations like Girls Who Code and College Mentors has shown the impact that guidance and role models can have on kids and I aim to continue to make an impact. My efforts are part of a bigger whole, and I know that I am playing a part in fostering an inclusive environment for women in STEM. My experience in three years as a teaching assistant and mentor for elementary students and high schoolers has taught me that the idea that one can not pursue a career interest begins young. Having a mentor to encourage and guide kids to explore all different fields will allow for the creativity of the next generation to be truly appreciated and put to work. I hope to continue to expose the possibilities of a career in STEM and motivate the younger generations to dive in.

Sitting nervously, I take in the classroom. The room is filled with males, including the professor. I could count the number of girls in my classes on one hand. As a woman in engineering, standing out is inevitable. The pit of my stomach begs me to leave, claiming I don’t belong. I stay, knowing bravery has always taken me where I wanted to go, no matter the discomfort. Signing up for senior year classes, I was ready for a challenge. I loved physics and the college level physics course sounded like the perfect fit for me. I approached my physics 1 teacher after-class, giddy with excitement. What happened next shocked me. “Are you sure you want to take the college physics course?” he said. “It’s the hardest course this school offers.” My smile slightly faded, but I assured him I was still interested. My teacher then said, “I know your boyfriend is taking it, but you shouldn’t take the hardest course because he is.” I left the classroom flabbergasted. A teacher I looked up to and whose course I excelled in thought my passion for taking the course was about my boyfriend, rather than my drive to learn the course material. At that moment, I knew I would prove him wrong. His words could have stopped me from pursuing the career I am now beginning, but I took my story into my own hands. I went on to earn an A in the college-level physics course and the highest score possible on the advanced placement exam. The course inspired me to pursue a mechanical engineering career. While my college career has posed many of its own challenges, I learned that each time I take the brave route, I am taking another step in the direction of living my truth. When faced with adversity, it can be easy to shrivel in front of it. I have found that the strength of adversity can be minimized with each step one takes against it. Despite comments and walls put in my path along the way, I have achieved a 3.8 GPA and am an active member of the mechanical engineering honor society (Pi Tau Sigma). This organization focuses on the growth of honest, analytical, and professional mechanical engineers. Personal and professional growth best develops through helping those that are facing adversity you have or are facing. My hope is to influence students with a love for physics and math to pursue engineering, regardless of their gender, race, or any factor that might discourage them from doing so. Tutoring kids in Chicago and helping them to have the opportunity to pursue what they enjoy is part of Pi Tau Sigma and my mission. I hope, even throughout my career, to inspire and help younger women to follow what calls them, despite the adversity they will inevitably face.

Legacy is better shown than described. One’s legacy is shown through the imprint they leave on others. The intent of the words you say, followed by your actions cause this imprint. When we are not around, our legacy is what represents us and it is our job to decide what we want our legacy to be. I was raised with the mindset that everyone can make an imprint on others in their own way. Growing up, my Mom worked in social work and child services. But, her drive to make her imprint did not stop once she left the office. It spread through helping our elderly neighbor maintain her garden, shoveling other houses’ snow just because, and saying hello to everyone we pass. While not everyone will remember my Mom’s face and actions, I know that, to many people, she has a legacy of spreading kindness to every soul she meets. While I am not pursuing social work like my Mom, I am taking the legacy she continues to teach me and putting it towards engineering and teaching. Teaching and STEM drive me to lead in organizations such as Girls Who Code, where we teach elementary and middle school girls how to code in a fun learning environment. I was voted into the position of freshman chair in the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) to create ways to increase women in STEM and support those women along their journey. While being one of the four females in my engineering classes can be daunting, I know that with my outside and future efforts, the women of the future will have a more supported and comfortable path. My efforts are part of a bigger whole, and I know that I am playing a part in fostering an inclusive environment for women in STEM. My experience in three years as a teaching assistant and mentor for elementary students and high schoolers has taught me that the idea that one can not pursue a career interest begins young. Having a mentor to encourage and guide kids to explore all different fields will allow for the creativity of the next generation to be truly appreciated and put to work. I hope to continue to expose the possibilities of a career in STEM and motivate the younger generations to dive in. My legacy will be shown through the future of women in engineering/STEM, especially those I met along the way.

Sitting nervously, I take in the classroom. The room is filled with males, including the professor. I could count the number of girls in my classes on one hand. As a woman in engineering, standing out is inevitable. The pit of my stomach begs me to leave, claiming I don’t belong. I stay, knowing bravery has always taken me where I wanted to go, no matter the discomfort. Signing up for senior year classes, I was ready for a challenge. I loved physics and the college level physics course sounded like the perfect fit for me. I approached my physics 1 teacher after-class, giddy with excitement. What happened next shocked me. “Are you sure you want to take the college physics course?” he said. “It’s the hardest course this school offers.” My smile slightly faded, but I assured him I was still interested. My teacher then said, “I know your boyfriend is taking it, but you shouldn’t take the hardest course because he is.” I left the classroom flabbergasted. A teacher I looked up to and whose course I excelled in thought my passion for taking the course was about my boyfriend, rather than my drive to learn the course material. At that moment, I knew I would prove him wrong. His words could have stopped me from pursuing the career I am now beginning, but I took my story into my own hands. I went on to earn an A in the college-level physics course and the highest score possible on the advanced placement exam. The course inspired me to pursue a mechanical engineering career. While my college career has posed many of its own challenges, I learned that each time I take the brave route, I am taking another step in the direction of living my truth. When faced with adversity, it can be easy to shrivel in front of it. I have found that the strength of adversity can be minimized with each step one takes against it. Despite comments and walls put in my path along the way, I have achieved a 3.8 GPA and am an active member of the mechanical engineering honor society (Pi Tau Sigma). This organization focuses on the growth of honest, analytical, and professional mechanical engineers. Personal and professional growth best develops through helping those that are facing adversity you have or are facing. My hope is to influence students with a love for physics and math to pursue engineering, regardless of their gender, race, or any factor that might discourage them from doing so. Tutoring kids in Chicago and helping them to have the opportunity to pursue what they enjoy is part of Pi Tau Sigma and my mission. I hope, even throughout my career, to inspire and help younger women to follow what calls them, despite the adversity they will inevitably face.

All alone in my room with tears rushing down my cheeks, I had no one to turn to. No one was home and it felt like there was no one I could reach out to. I had never felt as alone as I did at that moment. That was until, the thump of my dog’s little nose on my door, whining for me to let him in. My furry friend came to the rescue with cuddles and just simply being there for me when I needed him most. Animals have always been there for me. They are the first to greet you when you walk in the door, and are never short of goofy moments to make you laugh. As a baby, my two cats paraded back and forth around my cradle to ensure I was always safe. Whenever my father was on bed rest for heart failure, my dog spent the whole day snuggled up next to him. Best of all, animals can tell when you are hurting and will immediately come to the rescue. I am passionate about animal advocacy, because they never fail to advocate for us. Animals give unconditional love to those who care for them and it hurts my heart to see animals who do not receive that love back. When I adopted my current dog, Rusty, he was 10 pounds underweight. Everytime I looked at Rusty, sadness and frustration would come over me as he shivered at any attempt at someone petting him. I could never understand why someone would hurt another animal in any way. Now that we have nourished him back to health with food and love, he loves pets and has so much fun energy we didn’t see in him before. That day enlightened me on one of the many forms animals experience violence and I decided to take a stand. Researching different makeup brands that hurt animals, I made sure to spread the word and put my money into brands that respect other living creatures. I took up volunteering at the Community Animal Rescue Effort (C.A.R.E.) every week. The sweetest animals end up in our hands that were days away from being killed at a kill shelter. C.A.R.E offers running space, dog training, an abundance of fun toys for the cats and dogs, and “real life” rooms. “Real life” rooms provide a more home-like experience with couches and the animal’s favorite toys. The community at C.A.R.E ensures each animal is given the best chance for finding a loving home. I consider myself lucky to see the growth in all of these animals as they are taken out of traumatic experiences and transform back into their happy-go-lucky personalities.

Sitting nervously, I take in the classroom. The room is filled with males, including the professor. I could count the number of girls in my classes on one hand. As a woman in engineering, standing out is inevitable. The pit of my stomach begs me to leave, claiming I don’t belong. I stay, knowing bravery has always taken me where I wanted to go, no matter the discomfort. Signing up for senior year classes, I was ready for a challenge. I loved physics and the college level physics course sounded like the perfect fit for me. I approached my physics 1 teacher after-class, giddy with excitement. What happened next shocked me. “Are you sure you want to take the college physics course?” he said. “It’s the hardest course this school offers.” My smile slightly faded, but I assured him I was still interested. My teacher then said, “I know your boyfriend is taking it, but you shouldn’t take the hardest course because he is.” I left the classroom flabbergasted. A teacher I looked up to and whose course I excelled in thought my passion for taking the course was about my boyfriend, rather than my drive to learn the course material. At that moment, I knew I would prove him wrong. His words could have stopped me from pursuing the career I am now beginning, but I took my story into my own hands. I went on to earn an A in the college-level physics course and the highest score possible on the advanced placement exam. The course inspired me to pursue a mechanical engineering career. While my college career has posed many of its own challenges, I learned that each time I take the brave route, I am taking another step in the direction of living my truth.

I first found my passion for engineering at a women in stem event hosted by the American Heart Association. Women in all different STEM fields were in one building to describe their careers. My eyes widened with curiosity at each table I approached. I didn’t know that there were so many opportunities for me in the world of STEM. ChickTech was also introduced to me and blossomed my love for data analysis. With the help of these organizations, I was able to find my passion for data analysis in mechanical engineering. I am grateful to say that although I am only a junior, I have had an abundance of experiences in the engineering field. Summer of 2021 I worked for CAT. Analyzing field data for hundreds of machines, I was able to pinpoint weaknesses in the machines and common software and mechanical problems that arose. This experience led to my creation of MATLAB files that machine data can run through to detect transmission problems that would otherwise go unnoticed. My passion for data analytics combined with mechanical engineering has led me to begin research at my previous university, Valparaiso University, in which I began to understand how to control haptic devices. My goal for the project was to create a game with the haptic devices for middle schoolers where they would learn how to code the device in a fun and competitive environment. While I transferred before I could fully pursue the research project, I still learned about the research process and how limitless the possibilities are when given the time and space to do so. For my remaining year at UIC, I hope to continue to find a way to use my passion for data and mechanical engineering to make technology more accessible and encourage diversity in STEM fields. I believe these passions can combine in a testing and validation engineering career. This mission does not end when I leave UIC. Wherever I work post-graduation, I aim to set an example for younger generations of how STEM can be fun and that they can put their minds to anything they want to accomplish. Volunteering with organizations like Girls Who Code and College Mentors has shown the impact that guidance and role models can have on kids and I aim to continue to make an impact. My efforts are part of a bigger whole, and I know that I am playing a part in fostering an inclusive environment for women in STEM. My experience in three years as a teaching assistant and mentor for elementary students and high schoolers has taught me that the idea that one can not pursue a career interest begins young. Having a mentor to encourage and guide kids to explore all different fields will allow for the creativity of the next generation to be truly appreciated and put to work. I hope to continue to expose the possibilities of a career in STEM and motivate the younger generations to dive in.

I first found my passion for engineering at a women in stem event hosted by the American Heart Association. Women in all different STEM fields were in one building to describe their careers. My eyes widened with curiosity at each table I approached. I didn’t know that there were so many opportunities for me in the world of STEM. ChickTech was also introduced to me and blossomed my love for data analysis. With the help of these organizations, I was able to find my passion for data analysis in mechanical engineering. I am grateful to say that although I am only a junior, I have had an abundance of experiences in the engineering field. Summer of 2021 I worked for CAT. Analyzing field data for hundreds of machines, I was able to pinpoint weaknesses in the machines and common software and mechanical problems that arose. This experience led to my creation of MATLAB files that machine data can run through to detect transmission problems that would otherwise go unnoticed. My passion for data analytics combined with mechanical engineering has led me to begin research at my previous university, Valparaiso University, in which I began to understand how to control haptic devices. My goal for the project was to create a game with the haptic devices for middle schoolers where they would learn how to code the device in a fun and competitive environment. While I transferred before I could fully pursue the research project, I still learned about the research process and how limitless the possibilities are when given the time and space to do so. For my remaining year at UIC, I hope to continue to find a way to use my passion for data and mechanical engineering to make technology more accessible and encourage diversity in STEM fields. I believe these passions can combine in a testing and validation engineering career. This mission does not end when I leave UIC. Wherever I work post-graduation, I aim to set an example for younger generations of how STEM can be fun and that they can put their minds to anything they want to accomplish. Volunteering with organizations like Girls Who Code and College Mentors has shown the impact that guidance and role models can have on kids and I aim to continue to make an impact. My efforts are part of a bigger whole, and I know that I am playing a part in fostering an inclusive environment for women in STEM. My experience in three years as a teaching assistant and mentor for elementary students and high schoolers has taught me that the idea that one can not pursue a career interest begins young. Having a mentor to encourage and guide kids to explore all different fields will allow for the creativity of the next generation to be truly appreciated and put to work. I hope to continue to expose the possibilities of a career in STEM and motivate the younger generations to dive in.

Legacy is better shown than described. One’s legacy is shown through the imprint they leave on others. The intent of the words you say, followed by your actions cause this imprint. When we are not around, our legacy is what represents us and it is our job to decide what we want our legacy to be. I was raised with the mindset that everyone can make an imprint on others in their own way. Growing up, my Mom worked in social work and child services. But, her drive to make her imprint did not stop once she left the office. It spread through helping our elderly neighbor maintain her garden, shoveling other houses’ snow just because, and saying hello to everyone we pass. While not everyone will remember my Mom’s face and actions, I know that, to many people, she has a legacy of spreading kindness to every soul she meets. While I am not pursuing social work like my Mom, I am taking the legacy she continues to teach me and putting it towards engineering and teaching. Teaching and STEM drive me to lead in organizations such as Girls Who Code, where we teach elementary and middle school girls how to code in a fun learning environment. I was voted into the position of freshman chair in the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) to create ways to increase women in STEM and support those women along their journey. While being one of the four females in my engineering classes can be daunting, I know that with my outside and future efforts, the women of the future will have a more supported and comfortable path. My efforts are part of a bigger whole, and I know that I am playing a part in fostering an inclusive environment for women in STEM. My experience in three years as a teaching assistant and mentor for elementary students and high schoolers has taught me that the idea that one can not pursue a career interest begins young. Having a mentor to encourage and guide kids to explore all different fields will allow for the creativity of the next generation to be truly appreciated and put to work. I hope to continue to expose the possibilities of a career in STEM and motivate the younger generations to dive in. My legacy will be shown through the future of women in engineering/STEM, especially those I met along the way.

Sitting nervously in my chair, I take in the classroom.The room is filled with males, including the professors. I could count the number of girls in my classes on one hand. Being a woman in engineering, you will inevitably stand out. The pit of my stomach begs me to leave, as I feel that I don’t belong. But, what is expected is boring; sticking out and persisting is the route I choose to take. I excelled in high school–well-rounded involvement in athletics, arts, and volunteering, good grades, and surrounding myself with those who were also driven. Signing up for senior year classes, I was ready for a challenge. I loved physics and the college level, calculus-based physics course sounded like the perfect fit for me. I approached my physics 1 teacher after-class, giddy with excitement. What he said was not what I expected. “Are you sure you want to take the college physics course? It’s the hardest course this school offers.” My smile slightly faded, but I assured him I was still interested. My teacher then said, “Anna, I know your boyfriend is taking this course, but you shouldn’t take such a hard course just because he is.” I left the classroom flabbergasted. A teacher I looked up to and excelled in his physics 1 course thought I couldn’t handle the college level course. Even worse– he thought my passion for taking the course was about my boyfriend, rather than my passion and drive to learn the course material. I knew at that moment that I would prove him wrong. His words could have stopped me from pursuing the career I am now beginning, but I took my story into my own hands. I went on to take the college-level physics course and received an A in the course and the highest score possible on the advanced placement (AP) exam. The course inspired me to pursue a mechanical engineering career. While my college career has posed many of its own challenges, the first doubt from my high school teacher fueled my way through every doubt I have faced from other professors, students, and myself so far. When faced with adversity, it can be easy to shrivel in front of it. I have found that the strength of adversity can be minimized with each step one takes against it. Despite comments and walls put in my path along the way, I have achieved a 3.8 GPA and am an active member of the mechanical engineering honor society (Pi Tau Sigma). This organization focuses on the growth of honest, analytical, and professional mechanical engineers. Personal and professional growth best develops through helping those that are facing adversity you have or are facing. My hope is to influence students with a love for physics and math to pursue engineering, regardless of their gender, race, or any factor that might discourage them from doing so. Tutoring kids in Chicago and helping them to have the opportunity to pursue what they enjoy is part of Pi Tau Sigma and my mission. I hope, even throughout my career, to inspire and help younger women to follow what calls them, despite the adversity they will inevitably face.

I don’t belong. But, what is expected is boring; sticking out and persisting is the route I choose to take. I excelled in high school–well-rounded involvement in athletics, arts, and volunteering, good grades, and surrounding myself with those who were also driven. Signing up for senior year classes, I was ready for a challenge. I loved physics and the college level, calculus-based physics course sounded like the perfect fit for me. I approached my physics 1 teacher after-class, giddy with excitement. What he said was not what I expected. “Are you sure you want to take the college physics course? It’s the hardest course this school offers.” My smile slightly faded, but I assured him I was still interested. My teacher then said, “Anna, I know your boyfriend is taking this course, but you shouldn’t take such a hard course just because he is.” I left the classroom flabbergasted. A teacher I looked up to and excelled in his physics 1 course thought I couldn’t handle the college level course. Even worse– he thought my passion for taking the course was about my boyfriend, rather than my passion and drive to learn the course material. I knew at that moment that I would prove him wrong. His words could have stopped me from pursuing the career I am now beginning, but I took my story into my own hands. I went on to take the college-level physics course and received an A in the course and the highest score possible on the advanced placement (AP) exam. The course inspired me to pursue a mechanical engineering career. While my college career has posed many of its own challenges, the first doubt from my high school teacher fueled my way through every doubt I have faced from other professors, students, and myself so far. When faced with adversity, it can be easy to shrivel in front of it. I have found that the strength of adversity can be minimized with each step one takes against it. Despite comments and walls put in my path along the way, I have achieved a 3.8 GPA and am an active member of the mechanical engineering honor society (Pi Tau Sigma). This organization focuses on the growth of honest, analytical, and professional mechanical engineers. Personal and professional growth best develops through helping those that are facing adversity you have or are facing. My hope is to influence students with a love for physics and math to pursue engineering, regardless of their gender, race, or any factor that might discourage them from doing so. Tutoring kids in Chicago and helping them to have the opportunity to pursue what they enjoy is part of Pi Tau Sigma and my mission. I hope, even throughout my career, to inspire and help younger women to follow what calls them, despite the adversity they will inevitably face.

I first found my passion for engineering at a women in stem event hosted by the American Heart Association. Women in all different STEM fields were in one building to describe their careers. My eyes widened with curiosity at each table I approached. I didn’t know that there were so many opportunities for me in the world of STEM. ChickTech was also introduced to me and blossomed my love for data analysis. With the help of these organizations, I was able to find my passion for data analysis in mechanical engineering. Once I began my mechanical engineering studies, I knew I wanted to give back. I became a Lead Facilitator for Girls Who Code my freshman year of college and absolutely loved it. Seeing elementary and middle school girls’ eyes light up and they completed coding games confirmed that I could help grow the next generation of women in STEM. When my Mom lost her job in January of 2021, my parents and I panicked. My father is handicapped and unable to work, so my mom was the sole provider for my family. I was not even halfway through my college career and tuition needed to be paid. Determined to continue my education, we took out a loan to pay for the next two semesters. While I now live at home instead of on-campus, I am grateful a loan was available so I could continue my education. Receiving the Focus Forward Scholarship would allow me to minimize my student loan debt and continue on the path of becoming a mechanical engineer. In my mechanical engineering career, I hope to combine my passion for data analysis and engineering with that of the environment to create machines that are more environmentally friendly. Cutting down CO2 emissions of the machines used for mining and construction sites and creating powerful rechargeable batteries to minimize fuel necessities are the goals that I aim to contribute to in my career. In addition to my engineering career, I am passionate about aiding the next generation of students. As a member of Pi Tau Sigma (Mechanical Engineering Honor Society), we value leadership, technical skills, and service in the engineering realm and my college’s community of Chicago. This means aiding Chicago students with tutoring and mentoring to ensure they have the opportunity to reach their highest potential. I am dedicated to helping kids to have the resources they need to discover and follow their passions. This scholarship would help me to pursue that dream of giving back to the organizations that have helped me and that I have worked with to continue to inspire the next generation of women in STEM.

Sitting nervously in my chair, I take in the classroom.The room is filled with males, including the professors. I could count the number of girls in my classes on one hand. Being a woman in engineering, you will inevitably stand out. The pit of my stomach begs me to leave, as I feel that I don’t belong. But, what is expected is boring; sticking out and persisting is the route I choose to take. I excelled in high school–well-rounded involvement in athletics, arts, and volunteering, good grades, and surrounding myself with those who were also driven. Signing up for senior year classes, I was ready for a challenge. I loved physics and the college level, calculus-based physics course sounded like the perfect fit for me. I approached my physics 1 teacher after-class, giddy with excitement. What he said was not what I expected. “Are you sure you want to take the college physics course? It’s the hardest course this school offers.” My smile slightly faded, but I assured him I was still interested. My teacher then said, “Anna, I know your boyfriend is taking this course, but you shouldn’t take such a hard course just because he is.” I left the classroom flabbergasted. A teacher I looked up to and excelled in his physics 1 course thought I couldn’t handle the college level course. Even worse– he thought my passion for taking the course was about my boyfriend, rather than my passion and drive to learn the course material. I knew at that moment that I would prove him wrong. His words could have stopped me from pursuing the career I am now beginning, but I took my story into my own hands. I went on to take the college-level physics course and received an A in the course and the highest score possible on the advanced placement (AP) exam. The course inspired me to pursue a mechanical engineering career. While my college career has posed many of its own challenges, the first doubt from my high school teacher fueled my way through every doubt I have faced from other professors, students, and myself so far. When faced with adversity, it can be easy to shrivel in front of it. I have found that the strength of adversity can be minimized with each step one takes against it. Despite comments and walls put in my path along the way, I have achieved a 3.8 GPA and am an active member of the mechanical engineering honor society (Pi Tau Sigma). This organization focuses on the growth of honest, analytical, and professional mechanical engineers. Personal and professional growth best develops through helping those that are facing adversity you have or are facing. My hope is to influence students with a love for physics and math to pursue engineering, regardless of their gender, race, or any factor that might discourage them from doing so. Tutoring kids in Chicago and helping them to have the opportunity to pursue what they enjoy is part of Pi Tau Sigma and my mission. I hope, even throughout my career, to inspire and help younger women to follow what calls them, despite the adversity they will inevitably face.