Real Story: Joan Popoola

My Journey: "My choice to pursue the engineering field, specifically mechanical engineering, was developed through what started as an early passion for mathematics and focused by an internship with the Navy. I have always had a passion for math and as a child was equally interested in building structures. Math was just one of those subjects once I was taught, I could understand it quickly. Being an intern, I fell in love with the work I was able to witness daily. Being included in a team, expanding my knowledge, and putting together diverse teams to solve problems really caught my attention. The internship also helped me focus on specific challenges that interest me, like improving the survivability and reducing the susceptibility of an aircraft."

Engineering at CSM: "The CSM engineering program has greatly helped me. From starting with making sure I take the correct classes so I am able to transfer to the University of Maryland College Park. As well as getting good grades in all my classes because of the small classroom setting. I was able to get help from each teacher to make sure I understood the course material well. If I had went to UMD first, I do not think my grades would have been as good as they were here at CSM."

Impact in the future: "In the future, I want to work with a team to develop new technology for aircraft, or even armor for the Navy to use to make sure our warfighters get to their destination safely and come back home safely."

Women in STEM: "I think other girls/women should consider the engineering field because it is a male dominated field. Engineering is not just for the boys and we need girls to know that they could make as much as a difference in the engineer field. There are many fields for girls to choose as well such as: chemical, electrical, civil, mechanical, software and the list goes on. There is something for everyone. I want young girls to know that the sky is the limit."