Photo courtesy of Centricity.
I have dedicated the past four years to studying biotechnology at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School in Massachusetts. My passion for science, combined with a deep admiration for female leaders in STEM, has inspired me to pursue a career in biomedical engineering. With guidance from my SkillsUSA advisor, Rebecca Corda, and my biotechnology instructor, Maria Bennes, I have honed both my leadership skills and my technical knowledge, preparing myself to thrive in a competitive industry.
I am really inspired by the work of Jennifer Doudna, an American biochemist who pioneered the widely recognized technique of CRISPR gene editing. CRISPR is a powerful scientific technology allowing scientists to modify DNA that has catalyzed an age of biological engineering. She worked tirelessly to help her community during the global pandemic with both compassion and a dedication that I admire. Having a woman at the forefront of this revolution is incredible. Truthfully, women in STEM and leadership are sometimes overlooked.
Finding My Voice Through Leadership
My experiences at Blackstone Valley have fostered a strong sense of community while equipping me and my peers with vital workplace skills. I credit my career and technical education program with preparing me to meet industry standards. These skills put our SkillsUSA members ahead in the search for a career. I have focused on developing Leadership and Self-Motivation, two core Essential Elements of the SkillsUSA Framework, to prepare myself for my future goals. When I ran for state office I wasn’t the most experienced student running but I knew I had a passion and drive and I worked hard to be elected to serve. Since that time I have continued to grow through my incredible journey as a national officer for SkillsUSA this year.
At the 2023 Washington Leadership Training Institute in Washington, D.C
(Photo courtesy of Kallie Allen).
Looking ahead, I hope to follow in Doudna’s footsteps — both as a trailblazing biomedical engineer and as a leader who works to uplift others. As a young woman in a leadership role, I want to be a beacon of promise for others. I hope to amplify the aspirations and dreams of other young women because I already know that being a female leader in biomedical engineering sometimes means having to first get through a closed door.
Driven to empower others, I actively connect with young women at conferences and events, fostering change and encouraging confidence. I was a facilitator of my school’s Girls in Trade conference last year, and I will continue to support movements like these that encourage the development of young women nationwide.
I am committed to using my platform to inspire young women to build strength, knowledge and skills — allowing them to stand tall as symbols of what women like me in the trades and the workforce can accomplish. Working together and supporting one another, I know we can do anything.
