When did your love of STEM begin?

My love of STEM began early on in elementary school when I realized I was a natural at Math and Science subjects. I always loved the challenge of Science subjects. I began basic coding when MySpace became popular, where I created customized templates for my webpage. It wasn't until university when I decided that I wanted to major in Computer Science, where I really got into coding. I loved it from my first class! Coding came naturally to me, and I found myself constantly searching for more optimal solutions and expanding on my knowledge. I began tutoring students at university Python, Java, and SQL classes, sometimes when I hadn't even taken the course myself! After many research positions and internships, I decided I wanted to continue my education with my Master’s degree, where I specialized in software and systems (like my undergrad). During grad school, I volunteered with a "Let's Talk Science" program and went out to schools to help run workshops for toddlers and elementary students. I worked on two failed tech start-ups throughout grad school, and participated in many hackathons across the US and Canada. I could go on all day about different things that have continued my love for STEM, but these events (and more) have helped me retain my joy towards STEM subjects.

What did you love most about study in your field of STEM?

Well I love studying STEM in particular computer science. I love that there's so many different ways to approach a problem and there's not one defined answer. You can be very creative in your thinking brainstorming of how to approach a problem and my way might be different than your way or somebody else's way. And we can always find a solution together.

The best part of that working in the field of stem is there's constant research going on something that we know today can be totally different from a month and now a year from now two years from now etc.. And especially in technology there's always new frameworks new ways to do things. So if you don't keep up with what's going on in research and stuff then you fall behind.

What advice would you give to young women considering a career in STEM?

The advice I would give to future young woman in STEM is to take other people's doubts and turn it into motivation. There will always be somebody who's telling you you can't or doesn't think you're fit for doing something but you can't let that stopping you stop you from pursuing your passions.