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What do you get when you combine an industrial engineering degree from Argentina, a mechanical engineering degree completed in just TWO YEARS, and a master's in data science? You get Paula Tatum—and she's here to share her incredible journey! 🚀

In this episode, Paula talks about ALL the things we don't discuss enough in STEM: the confidence struggles, the pressure to prove ourselves in male-dominated spaces, and why saying YES to uncomfortable opportunities might be the best career move you'll ever make!

From working in a paper mill during the COVID toilet paper crisis 🧻😅 to managing projects in semiconductor clean rooms, Paula's diverse career path proves that there's no "one right way" to build your engineering career. She gets real about finding her first job, working with volunteer internships, dealing with imposter syndrome, and the game-changing power of therapy and mentorship.

You'll love this episode if you:
✔️ Need a confidence boost in your STEM journey
✔️ Are considering a career pivot or going back to school
✔️ Want to hear from someone who's been there and gets it
✔️ Need permission to step outside your comfort zone

Plus, hear about Paula's dream of launching a consulting company dedicated to empowering women in engineering, supply chain, and data science! 💼💡
Grab your coffee, hit play, and get ready to feel INSPIRED!

#WomenInSTEM #EngineeringCareer #WomenEngineers #STEMPodcast #CareerJourney #InternationalStudent #MechanicalEngineering #DataScience #IndustrialEngineering #WomenEmpowerment #ConfidenceBuilding #STEMEducation #EngineeringStudent #CareerAdvice #LatinaInSTEM #ImmigrantStory #ReliabilityEngineering #WomenInTech #EngineeringLife #STEMCareers

✨ Let’s connect:

Website → https://unlocking-my-potential.com
Instagram → @unlockingmypotentialnt
TikTok → @unlockingmypotentialnt
Buzzsprout (Podcast) → https://unlockingmypotential.buzzsprout.com/
Discord → https://discord.gg/4FB86UUKwB
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@UnlockingMyPotential

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I'm so excited to share this conversation with Daniele Mendez, who has one of the most unexpected STEM origin stories I've heard! We were classmates at Florida Polytechnic University, and hearing her full journey from wanting to be a journalist to becoming a Software Quality Engineer at Lockheed Martin was absolutely fascinating.

In this episode, Daniele gets real about how a negative experience with a teacher completely redirected her career path, leading her to discover robotics and eventually software engineering. She shares the behind-the-scenes story of how we prepared for career fairs at Florida Poly (including our secret portfolio strategy that actually worked!), and how she landed her job through the most unexpected on-the-spot interview.

We dive deep into the challenges of being a young engineer - the imposter syndrome, being the only woman on male-dominated teams, and how remote work during COVID affected her growth. Daniele also breaks down the reality of pursuing a master's degree and whether it actually leads to immediate career advancement (spoiler: it's not what you think).

What I love most about this conversation is how honest Daniele is about the ups and downs of her career journey. She talks about having an incredible manager who actually helped her grow instead of trying to keep her in one role and how she transitioned from software engineering to software quality engineering to get a bigger picture view of her work.

If you're a student wondering if STEM is right for you, dealing with imposter syndrome in your first job, or thinking about making a career pivot, this episode is packed with real, practical advice. Daniele's story proves that sometimes the best opportunities come from the most unexpected places.

Chapters:
00:00 From Journalism to Robotics: A Journey Begins
06:59 Choosing Computer Science: The Path to Florida Poly
10:35 College Life at Florida Polytechnic University
16:35 Internship Experiences: Remote Work Challenges
20:40 Networking and Landing the First Job
29:08 Navigating Early Career Challenges
34:48 Transitioning Roles and Responsibilities
42:30 Pursuing Further Education: Pros and Cons
49:10 Lessons from Graduate Studies
55:12 Advice to My Younger Self

#STEMCareers #WomenInSTEM #CareerAdvice #TechCareers #EngineeringJobs #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerChange #UnlockingMyPotential

✨ Let’s connect:

Website → https://unlocking-my-potential.com
Instagram → @unlockingmypotentialnt
TikTok → @unlockingmypotentialnt
Buzzsprout (Podcast) → https://unlockingmypotential.buzzsprout.com/
Discord → https://discord.gg/4FB86UUKwB
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@UnlockingMyPotential

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In this episode, I sit down with Kirsten Schulte, a mechanical design engineer who shares her inspiring journey from discovering engineering at a middle school STEM camp to navigating her career in a male-dominated industry. We dive deep into her experience at Florida Polytechnic University, the challenges and rewards of mechanical design work, and the real talk about being a woman in STEM. 

Kirsten opens up about her internship experiences, including being told she was "only hired because she was a woman," and how she's learned to prioritize family over career advancement. We discuss the creative side of engineering, from turning customer ideas into 3D models to seeing those designs come to life in manufacturing. 

This conversation touches on the struggles many women face in STEM fields—from being the only woman in the classroom to making friends in male-dominated workplaces. But we also explore the strengths that come from these experiences and how they shape us into more compassionate, resilient professionals. 

Whether you're considering engineering, currently studying STEM, or navigating your own career path, Kirsten's story offers valuable insights about staying true to your values while building a fulfilling career. 

 #WomenInSTEM #MechanicalEngineering #FloridaPolytechnic #CareerJourney #WorkLifeBalance 

✨ Let’s connect:

Website → https://unlocking-my-potential.com
Instagram → @unlockingmypotentialnt
TikTok → @unlockingmypotentialnt
Buzzsprout (Podcast) → https://unlockingmypotential.buzzsprout.com/
Discord → https://discord.gg/4FB86UUKwB
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@UnlockingMyPotential

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This week on Unlocking My Potential, I’m joined by Alison Hart, whose journey through STEM is a powerful story of growth, resilience, and embracing change. 

From her first spark of inspiration in a network closet at age five to her transition from IT and network engineering into software development, Alison shares what it really takes to thrive in tech: overcoming rejection, developing soft skills, handling imposter syndrome, and staying open to new opportunities—even when it means pivoting your career. 

If you’ve ever questioned your path, struggled with perfectionism, or wondered whether it’s okay to keep changing directions, this episode is for you. Alison’s story reminds us that the most meaningful growth happens when we step into the unknown. 

#UnlockingMyPotential #WomenInSTEM #STEMCareers #CareerGrowth #TechJourney #STEMStories #STEMInspiration #WomenWhoCode #ImposterSyndrome #STEMLeadership #STEMCommunity #CareerPivot 

✨ Let’s connect:

Website → https://unlocking-my-potential.com
Instagram → @unlockingmypotentialnt
TikTok → @unlockingmypotentialnt
Buzzsprout (Podcast) → https://unlockingmypotential.buzzsprout.com/
Discord → https://discord.gg/4FB86UUKwB
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@UnlockingMyPotential

Send us a text

In this episode of Unlocking My Potential, Ashton shares her inspiring journey from pursuing an art degree to finding her calling in STEM. 

She opens up about:

• The pivotal moment she realized art was her passion, but not her career
• Transitioning from community college to Florida Polytechnic University
• How project management and networking shaped her career path
• Facing imposter syndrome after graduation and learning to persevere
• Finding balance between creativity, career, and personal growth

Ashton’s story is a reminder that career pivots can lead to unexpected opportunities and that you don’t have to give up your passions to thrive in STEM.
 

✨ Let’s connect:

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/UnlockingMyPotential 

 
#UnlockingMyPotential #WomenInSTEM #CareerPivots #STEMJourney #ImposterSyndrome #PersonalGrowth #CreativityAndSTEM
 

✨ Let’s connect:

Website → https://unlocking-my-potential.com
Instagram → @unlockingmypotentialnt
TikTok → @unlockingmypotentialnt
Buzzsprout (Podcast) → https://unlockingmypotential.buzzsprout.com/
Discord → https://discord.gg/4FB86UUKwB
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@UnlockingMyPotential

Send us a text

From high school dual enrollment to navigating internships, rotational programs, and a career comeback, Sydney Weber’s journey in supply chain has truly come full circle. In this episode of Unlocking My Potential, Sydney shares how she discovered her passion for logistics, the lessons learned from her time at Honeywell, and why stepping away—and returning—was one of the most defining moves of her career.

We dive into her behind-the-scenes experiences in scheduling, order fulfillment, and production planning; her approach to mentoring the next generation; and the practical strategies she uses to set boundaries and avoid burnout. Sydney also opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome in STEM and building a career in a male-dominated field.

Whether you’re a student exploring STEM, a professional in the early stages of your career, or someone ready for your next big pivot, Sydney’s story is packed with actionable advice, encouragement, and real-world insight.

✨ Let’s connect:

Website → https://unlocking-my-potential.com
Instagram → @unlockingmypotentialnt
TikTok → @unlockingmypotentialnt
Buzzsprout (Podcast) → https://unlockingmypotential.buzzsprout.com/
Discord → https://discord.gg/4FB86UUKwB
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@UnlockingMyPotential

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In this episode of Unlocking My Potential, we sit down with Payton Barnwell to hear how she carved her own path through the world of engineering, mission control, and startups—all while learning to trust her instincts and lean into bold moves.

Payton shares 

🔹 How she went from being a first-gen college student to working at NASA
🔹 The power of saying “yes” to unexpected opportunities—including internships after graduation
🔹 Her journey from mission control to product management at a startup
🔹 What inspired her to launch Broadside—an AI infrastructure for understanding how government actions reshape the systems Americans live and work in? From new laws to shifting regulations, Broadside connects the dots in plain language so people and organizations can see local impact, uncover opportunity, and act with context. (www.trackthebills.com)
🔹 Honest reflections on career pivots, burnout, and building confidence along the way

This episode is a must-listen for anyone figuring things out as they go, exploring unconventional paths in STEM, or looking for permission to make their next bold move.

✨ Let’s connect:

Website → https://unlocking-my-potential.com
Instagram → @unlockingmypotentialnt
TikTok → @unlockingmypotentialnt
Buzzsprout (Podcast) → https://unlockingmypotential.buzzsprout.com/
Discord → https://discord.gg/4FB86UUKwB
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@UnlockingMyPotential

Send us a text

In this episode of Unlocking My Potential, Skylar Hoover joins us to share her incredible journey through STEM, from studying computer science to finding her true passion in technical communication, trust & safety, and project management.

Skylar opens up about

• Changing majors and blending tech with communication
  
  
• Her roles at Lockheed Martin and Discord
  
  
• The realities of burnout and choosing to take a career break
  
  
• Navigating mental health in high-stress roles
  
  
• The power of trusting your intuition and staying true to yourself
  
  

If you’ve ever questioned your path, felt burnt out, or wondered if it’s okay to pivot—this one is for you. 💬✨

📍Follow, rate & subscribe to catch new episodes every other Monday!

#WomenInSTEM #CareerPivot #TechCommunication #MentalHealthMatters #UnlockingMyPotential

✨ Let’s connect:

Website → https://unlocking-my-potential.com
Instagram → @unlockingmypotentialnt
TikTok → @unlockingmypotentialnt
Buzzsprout (Podcast) → https://unlockingmypotential.buzzsprout.com/
Discord → https://discord.gg/4FB86UUKwB
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@UnlockingMyPotential

Send us a text

In this episode of Unlocking My Potential, we sit down with Kara Baldwin to explore her powerful and unconventional journey—from working long shifts as a CNA and pursuing nursing to becoming a mechanical engineer and now stepping into a new chapter as a high school STEM teacher.

Kara shares:

• Why she left nursing to pursue engineering
  
  
• Her experience at Florida Polytechnic University, including student government and robotics
  
  
• The reality of imposter syndrome and being a woman in STEM
  
  
• Working at a biotech startup focused on inclusive medical devices
  
  
• Her passion for teaching and inspiring the next generation of engineers
  
  

This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating change, searching for purpose, or just needing a reminder that your path doesn’t have to be linear to be powerful.

#WomenInSTEM #EngineeringJourney #CareerPivot #STEMEducation #UnlockingMyPotential

✨ Let’s connect:

Website → https://unlocking-my-potential.com
Instagram → @unlockingmypotentialnt
TikTok → @unlockingmypotentialnt
Buzzsprout (Podcast) → https://unlockingmypotential.buzzsprout.com/
Discord → https://discord.gg/4FB86UUKwB
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@UnlockingMyPotential

Send us a text

I’m sharing why I started this podcast and what you can expect—real stories from women with STEM backgrounds, their pivots, challenges, and wins. New episodes drop every other Monday! 

✨ Let’s connect:

Website → https://unlocking-my-potential.com
Instagram → @unlockingmypotentialnt
TikTok → @unlockingmypotentialnt
Buzzsprout (Podcast) → https://unlockingmypotential.buzzsprout.com/
Discord → https://discord.gg/4FB86UUKwB
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@UnlockingMyPotential