Navigating Higher Education and Beyond

Make a plan. Work towards it. Have big aspirations. Be open to new possibilities. Take risks. Embrace failure. From a BS in chemical engineering to a PhD in materials science and engineering, and now an NRC postdoctoral fellow at the Air Force Research Laboratory, I will discuss my journey as a female engineer through the many successes and challenges I have faced in my career and personal life. I will share my experiences in academia, international research, volunteering, and government laboratory to highlight the importance of persistence, resilience, and self-compassion on your path to success.