Tell Us about Yourself
Just finished first year in Mechanical Engineering Program.
What AEOP program(s) did you participate in?
JSHS Alumni
Words of Advice?
My advice is to keep an open mind to go out and experience opportunities like JSHS. These experiences will help you grow and develop in ways you could never imagine.
Best Things about the Program?
The JSHS program allowed me to learn about the types of careers available in the STEM field. It gave me more opportunities than would have been otherwise available to me to explore engineering. JSHS also drastically increased my interest in engineering and influenced my decisions to pursue mechanical engineering.
How Participating in AEOP Inspired You to Advance in the STEM Field?
JSHS showed me what options were out there for someone wanting to pursue a STEM career. I learned about engineering and the possibilities I had in the field. My family does not have a background in the STEM field so it was beneficial to meet other people who came from similar backgrounds and are not successful engineers in their field. Making those connections inspired me to pursue mechanical engineering.
As a result of the program
My first year in the program, I was not sure what to expect. My project dealt with quantum physics and I did not have any experience in physics so I had to do a lot of independent research and was paired with a very supportive and helpful mentor. There were 30 other students competing and I was not expecting to win the competition—but I did! When they called my name, it took me a minute to even realize it was me who they were calling. My parents were extremely supportive of my studies even though most people thought I was crazy for doing quantum physics. However, winning that competition was a defining moment—it was my first time being recognized for my work in physics. It showed that my hard work finally paid off and it inspired me to keep going and keep growing in the STEM field.
