Zenith of Your Story

This episode features Eduardo Mesa, an engineering student speaking on his experiences with major engineering companies, how to get hired and how to prepare for that liminal chance at an interview. We delve into questions of history, philosophy, and how the Stoics really helped him through covid and his new perspectives in life. I had a lot of fun in this episode and Eduardo is still always inspiring. 

This episode profiles a unique story of a young woman pursuing a degree in STEM just because jobs in healthcare are more secure. In the pursuit of job security and social mobility, students of immigrants are often faced with choice between responsibility and passion in their career. Sahylis shares her story of trying to make the right choice based on her values and her future. 

Carlos Cardenas is double physics and math major with concentrations in biology in chemistry speaking about being able to distinguish between job that give financial security and being able to practice his passion for genetic engineering. this episode is filled with experiences of having to make a big life decision.  for your future and how to make move that align with values and lifestyle. We learn a whole lot about genetic engineering, actuary, and the difficult choices for the future. 

This special episode is dedicated to all the mothers out there for Mothers Day. This episode features a story of my student Xavier, a Biology major in his senior year. He tells the story of a hard semester navigating the very heavy news of his mother being diagnosed with breast cancer and having to hide it from his brother who was in medical school. Balancing school, taking care of his family, and his emotional strength to keep it all together, this story is an inspiration of hope and fortitude found in those that care. 

Season 2 Episode 4 is with two special guest, Soichi Gomez and Kenneth Lopez, senior and junior physics majors getting ready to apply to graduate school. They discuss their stories and worries in getting ready to move away from home, a big step for Hispanic and Latino families, as well how to know you've been the right advisor and graduate program. Both also share their personal stories and choices influenced by privilege and disabilities. 

Season 2 Episode 3 is with Matthew Pena a Junior undergrad in a Civil engineering major. He shares how impactful the active learning course in physics was to his confidence and how important it was to have professors connect with students. Mathew also shares his story of how impactful it was to shift his entire priorities away from work and be more committed to school. This shift is not easy for the typical student that maintain themselves and helps their family financially. Shifting this mindset and putting your priorities into perspective is an important part of being a Hispanic student in STEM. 

This episode is very dear and important for me. It targets critical and impactful topics of students mental health through their education. Luanna Campos, a chemistry major shares her very impactful story of her journey through her education while managing and navigating her own mental health and diagnosis in bipolar disorder and multiple personality disorder. 

After a summer break I wanted to start a new school year with a new season and a new episode where you get to know a little bit more about me as a host, who i am , what kind of research i am interested in, what my favorite physics topics are,  and the summer trips that really make an impact. Although I like to share my stories through the stories of the students I interact with, this introduction to season two was a way to ease into the new semester with a little more insight. I am joined by two special guest to guide the conversation.

Episode 7 is with Mechanical Engineering student Daniel Fuentes Rodriguez. A Puerto Rican man telling his stories of managing school, personal life and internship job. Now that summer is coming, there are many opportunities for students to expand their resume and have research and internships. Learn about his experience and how to look for the right fit for you. Most inspiring is his message for other Latino students to consider leaving home and relocating for jobs and opportunities.  

Episode 6 is with Sabrina Garcia, an undergraduate Latina women in STEM. Her story and experience in navigating her mechanical engineering major after having switched from the totally unlikely place of political science. Sabrina speaks to her reasons for changing out of political science due to such a polarized environment and finally listening to her inner drive and curiosity for rockets and space. Sharing her perspective as a woman in STEM speaks to the constant resilience in her efforts to persist.