Meet Tanisha Bassan
Tanisha Bassan is a recent high school graduate who is working as a Quantum Computing Researcher at Zapata Computing. In her free time she can be found reading, working out, meditating, or having philosophical discussions.
When did your love of STEM begin?
I was always passionate about physics growing up because I loved pondering about ideas around how nature and its laws work at the fundamental level. I was curious to know how the universe works and so I watched tons documentaries and read lots of books, many of them in the sci-fi genre. When I was 16 I learned about a technology called Quantum Computing from a program called The Knowledge Society and ever since then my curiosity to understand how the world works has continued to grow exponentially.
What is the best part about working in the field of STEM?
I'm extremely biased but I think the most important work on planet earth will be done in STEM areas. Our progress as a human species is accelerated by research/inventions in STEM areas and the best part working this field is knowing that you are helping push humanity forward in the right direction. My work is helping build the next generation of computation which will help solve so many global problems in the future and just knowing I can have that much impact on the world is what excites me everyday. Another amazing part is that you never stop learning so everyday I gain more and more knowledge.
What advice would you give young women interested in a career in STEM?
Go pursue what makes you excited to wake up everyday, if that’s in STEM then don't let anything stop you from doing what you love. I have become more empowered being a female in a male dominated areas and it just feels awesome to kick butt in a room where you're the only girl. There are going to be struggles and lots of roller coaster emotions (trust me I know) but if you have a deep passion for STEM then don't let ANYONE stop you . People can be nasty but just prove them wrong by becoming a badass in your career. Work hard and stay curious!