Connecting Within The Engineering Field by Julianna

Connecting Within The Engineering Field by Julianna - November 2022 Scholarship Essay

In the engineering field, imposter syndrome and feelings of not being good enough sprout consistently. Coming from parents that lived on food stamps once they moved to the states, they also had little to no understanding of this field and how to be successful in the male-dominated industry.

Connection was the word that struck me as the most surprising source of inspiration so far in the school year. Before the pandemic, and during my high school years, I would independently review my studies, sit beside myself, and isolate the world around me as I felt like I never belonged in my school. I was also left with financial struggles by the time I graduated. My parents only gave me the option to go to San Francisco State University because it was a short commute from our place, but I never got that “independence” that my peers were given to move out. Reaching out to other students was hard during the online to in-person classes transition. Maybe one or two other kids would go to the actual class when the rest stayed home, observing the lecture from the other side of the screen.

As a sophomore during this time, I really wanted to focus on getting an internship for the next summer to experience what work could potentially look like for me once I graduate. Not knowing where I should start, I applied to random positions requiring a Civil Engineering degree and had a hard time hearing back from employers.

LinkedIn was the source that helped me get my understanding of the industry and was the first time I’ve talked to people professionally. I set up my profile, went to school provided workshops to fix my resume, and did the most essential; network as much as I could. I reached out to anyone and everyone I could find that has some type of experience that I may want to know more about. I spoke to employers that were civil engineer graduates, students that currently go to SFSU for engineering, and SFSU Alumni that have graduated and moved on to the next stages of their life.

One particular SFSU Alumni was fervently active in assisting me so I got into contact with one of the most active and popular societies that were held on campus: ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers). From then on, my experience took off.

I was able to shadow the internal cabinet my first semester and create bonds with students and faculty that inspire me to absorb and express information that not only helped me but others too. I took on more prominent roles over time, being the external outreach chair to companies during our career fairs and holding seminars for companies to interact with SFSU students. I was even nominated to fill in the Vice President spot for the returning year which I am proudly continuing right now.

These connections I’ve made in student-run organizations were the biggest support I could’ve asked for. I became diligently active in volunteering events, professional seminars, and other clubs that I was recognized for a position as a student assistant in the SFSU Engineering Department as well as the MESA Assistant Coordinator that helped low-income/first-generation students like me succeed in STEM.

These opportunities allowed me to travel throughout California, and hopefully across the nation. As a student, I’m still learning from the everlasting ways of life. Having opportunities like going to San Diego as a student ambassador to not only educate myself but others too make my heart whole. Peers that I’m now able to connect with in class also seek advice and I’m able to connect them with equivalent opportunities in my field like recruiting for the general contracting company I intern for and seeking other resources that many people don’t know about.

The connections that I’ve made throughout my time in college spark me to keep going. Every day, I’m greeted by students, friends, and faculty that care about me deeply and I wish the same for each and every one of them.