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Welcome back to Black Girls to Engineer Five Five.
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I'm Clara Bridge, chemical engineer and founder and CEO of Black Girls to Engineer.
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And today we're talking about something that young people need to hear thoroughly.
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Engineering is bigger than just a job title.
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The skills you build through STEM can take you into leadership, mentorship, advocacy, and spaces where you'll create real impact in people's lives and community.
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This episode is part of our day in the live series, and I'm joined by Ty Prince, engineer, leader, and someone who has used her STEM background to create impact both professionally and personally.
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This conversation is about purpose, growth, leadership, and what it really means to use engineering as a tool to serve, lead, and create change.
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Let's get into it.
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So welcome to the podcast.
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Hi.
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How are you?
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Good.
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Thank you, Cara, for the invite.
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I'm so excited to be here today and to share my journey, Cara.
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Yes, I'm so excited to have you.
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So for my audience, this is another amazing Black woman that I've known over many, many years.
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Very active in the community.
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That's how we met.
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And we just continue to build on our relationship from there.
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Um, and that includes showing up for one another and being able to help wherever we can.
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So I just want our audience to know, you know, this black girl magic is real, and it's important to come together and work together to do this work in the community because it takes all of us.
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So I'm very excited about this conversation with you today to talk about your journey starting as an engineer and all the amazing things you are doing in the community.
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So let's dive right on in.
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So let's talk about your journey.
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Like what really inspired you to pursue or pursue your engineering degree?
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For me, it really was just kind of everyday life with my dad.
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He is a girl dad.
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So he had two, he has two daughters.
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And my mom, my mom is retired Air Force now, but during that time when she was active duty, she would be gone on different uh league trips.
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And so my dad was going to take care of us, but he had to also take care of the home and take care of the vehicles.
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And he always allowed us to explore and be curious.
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And so I was the one that was always with him to help take things apart.
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It was just so fascinating to me to just take things apart, put it back together, and now something works.
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Or let's figure out why it's not working.
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And fast forward to turning 16 and I was able to get my first car, but I couldn't get my car until I knew how to take care of it.
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So really that birthday present was, I'm gonna show you how to take care of your car and then you'll get it.
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And so he took me how to taught me how to change my tires, my spark plugs, my oil, my brakes, just different things in my vehicle.
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So I knew how to take care of it.
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And then I was able to have the responsibility to drive around as a you know new new driver, but in high school.
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So he he was my inspiration to kind of get into all things tinkering.
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And then that led to what we now know as engineering.
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Wow, shout out to dad.
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So this is a perfect story right on time for me.
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So my daughter is in driving school.
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Most definitely had to be in riding school for us parents out there.
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But the perspective of your dad was amazing.
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Most of the time, we're just thinking about safety on the road, which I'm sure that was your dad's concern as well.
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But understanding the mechanics, like a lot of times, parents don't take their time to really show you the parts of the car.
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One of them being most definitely, I know many people need it's like just simply us changing the tire, right?
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Yeah.
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That's important to know how to service your own car in the time of need and to for your dad to like be like, come on over under this hood and let's learn this car together.
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It shows a lot of great things of your father.
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Like, first of all, you want this car, you're gonna understand his responsibility, but also showing you the mechanics and inspiring you to go into that route.
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So kudow to dad.
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I never thought about that.
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I would take a page out of your dad's book, but I know my daughter looked under his head, but I I do that.
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He took that philosophy and it worked for you and it brought you to engineering today.
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So are you are you more on the mechanical side, mechanical engineering?
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Yes.
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Wow.
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I got into mechanical engineering in school, but funny, I actually didn't start there.
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I uh started in computer science.
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I went to school and talked with my counselor, and I said I wanted to be an oceanographer, but I also wanted to be an audio engineer at the same time.
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And so she was like, computer science where you need to be.
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I said, okay, started school in computer science.
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You know, you do your basic classes, but my university definitely put us in computer science early.
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So as a freshman, what we had at least two classes, starting off with learning languages and the history behind it all.
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And I realized my sophomore year, I don't like this.
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Not like it.
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Computer science had me behind a computer, but I like tinkering.
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I like to work with my hands.
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And so I had taken an elective that was more on the mechanical side, the machine side, and I loved it.
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And so I went back to my advisor and said, I want to change my major to mechanical engineering.
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And she was like, Okay, you might have to retake some classes.
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I said, that's fine.
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I don't want to do that.
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I want to do this.
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I'm happy you said that because that that goes along the lines of like that exposure.
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So I love working with younger children mostly because that only early exposure really matters.
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And your dad did that for you.
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And so the funny part, I would I love that, I love this story because you knew from the moment you worked with your dad, but you got to college, like many of us do, and try to still figure it out.
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But I think the key thing there, and what I love to stress to parents is keeping your child exposed into those types of programming so that they can X what they don't like out.
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Just like your story with computer science.
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My daughter, she wanted to do software engineering, and she did it for a few years, like learning the principles of it.
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And she was just like, No, I can't.
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I can't sit there and code all day.
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Like she loved the game part about it, which is like I can't, I just can't do and you had that same experience.
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And so I went on parents to really understand.
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Like, sometimes your child will show up and be like, no, I don't like that.
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That doesn't mean don't bring them back right to try the next thing because you're trying to find out what their thing is, and you said you love tinkering and you enjoyed those experiences with your dad, I'm sure.
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And now you went back on your own.
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Good thing for advocating for yourself, because a lot of people don't do that until it's your advisor to be like, no, I'm a mechanical engineering because it's your life, right?
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Yeah, doing whatever.
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So kudos to you on that.
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So that's so funny.
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So, like from day one, pretty much you knew you were gonna be a mechanical engineer, but you were still trying to figure it out like many people.
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Exactly.
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And you get advice from others, you know.
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My mom did go to college, and so it's not like I didn't have the the know or the information to know about college.
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Um, but when you are going to, you know, a new school that's not your family school or somewhere different, because like I said, we were a military family.
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We actually moved to Maryland my senior year in high school.
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So it was also like starting over with on the college journey because I was like, oh, I'm going to school in Arizona because that's where we moved from.
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And I liked Arizona, but then I was like, I don't want to be that far away just yet because we just moved and I want to explore the East Coast.
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So, you know, trusting your advisors, and there's nothing wrong with that.
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Definitely trust your advisors, but also, you know, be an advocate for yourself.
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That is very, very key.
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Yeah, I love that.
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So shout out to both of your parents.
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I love this story because well, I've seen some amazing things over the years, especially like with my girls who's going off into college, both of those parents staying in the fight with them to get their kids there.
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I could not imagine what it was like moving from a whole different part of the world to another part in senior year.
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That had to have been hard.
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Very different cultures in both of those places.
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So trying to figure it out, but you still did it.
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Like I moved from just a high school down the street to the next one.
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I could not imagine uh moving reset to like Maryland, right?
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Oh, yeah, I like the DMV.
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Shout out to the DMV.
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Yeah.
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But like moving from Arizona to Maryland is different.
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Wow.
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And to still be able to like advocate for yourself and go into such an amazing career.
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That's cool.
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So I really wanted to talk about that because there's so many people at that stage of their life that I interact with every day that has a lot of things that may interfere with their life decisions, either that's moving or just trying to figure it out.
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But the key to doing that, especially with STEM, is that continuous exposure of things.
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Or if you're kind of like in your senior year, a lot of people just wrap their senior year and a lot of people about to go into it.
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Asking those questions, like you mentioned, for sure, is going to help them and advocating for yourself.
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So all great points.
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So love that, love that, love that.
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So let's talk about mechanical engineering a little bit more as far as like working day to day.
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So, what did that look like once you attained your mechanical engineering degree and you went into the workforce?
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Let's talk about that.
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Yeah, so my first, believe it or not, was an automotive.
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My first job was an automotive.
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I definitely enjoyed learning about my vehicle back then and it stayed with me.
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And I was able to get an internship back in school with the automotive company, and then they hired me on after college, and it was phenomenal.
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Again, I had to move, but being a military kid, we're used to that.
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But the day-to-day was I was in manufacturing.
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So getting to see how things are made, how things are built and put together for the safety of others and the enjoyment of others was just probably the best feeling for me and why I love to go to work every day.
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Because I knew I was improving something for people, for my community, or solving a problem and you know, making it better.
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So, uh, like a life of an automotive engineer, you go to work, you're not in fancy clothes.
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I'll tell you that, not in the manufacturing shop.
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But you're in a uniform, but you get to choose the color of your shirt every day, at least.
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You're walking the manufacturing line, you know, seeing how the people and machines work together to build something so fantastic and something that we use every day, and even more, a need every day.
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It needs to be safe, it needs to take us from point A to point B.
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And it also needs to be comfortable and enjoyable and have all the things work properly.
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And being a part of that, putting that all together and seeing a finished vehicle roll off the line is phenomenal.
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So some days you're solving problems.
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Some days you're just like, oh, let's see if we can improve how our team members are working with the machines to put something together.
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So sometimes your work is solving problems just within the machine shop, the manufacturing shop.
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And sometimes your work is solving problems for the broader community who will who you will never meet and they will never know.
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But you know, that impact is going to be lifelong.
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No, this is so funny.
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Like it started with just that early exposure.
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You went from working on cars to creating and making and providing them for the community.
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So that is pretty dope and so a lot of people don't think about that.
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And I love that you reference the car industry.
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That is like one of the main examples I use for children.
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Because you're riding a car everywhere, and so like the people we like, what do engineers do?
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I always kind of start with a car bridge because these are things they typically see.
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So it's kind of cool that you were able to do car manufacturing, bringing things that most definitely the community needs to life.
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That that's pretty dope.
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So mechanical engineering and doing the automotive industry.
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So let's talk about is there any other places that you've worked?
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You kind of brought your your mechanical engineering degree to because I want to talk a little bit about transferable skills.
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So a lot of times we start with our main engineering degree, and what many people don't know that you can still take that degree and transition to many different places.
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So I know you've done that.
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So let's talk a little bit about that.
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Absolutely.
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So when I was an automotive, I was a manufacturing engineer and a quality engineer.
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And then I transitioned to the energy space, working for an energy company, energy manufacturer.
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And I went back to manufacturing and then back to quality and business excellence.
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So I was able to take my manufacturing experience, that problem-solving experience, and really change, move that into business excellence.
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So what business excellence is what that means in the corporate world is just continuous improvement, but at an organizational level.
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So not just maybe a part, but maybe a whole department.
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How can we improve the department?
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How can we lean out, you know, processes within a department or in our business unit?
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So that was really fun to do because now you're seeing things on a bigger level that's affecting your other workers, your other team members and employees that in turn helps progress the business.
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Again, and you will never see those customers, but you know you're helping and moving things along, you know, for your community.
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So it was really cool to move into business excellence.
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And then ultimately, I moved into corporate social responsibility.
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That's a lot of words for just basically doing good things in the community.
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And it is it allowed me to take my problem-solving skills to help make an impact using our company and our employees and make an impact in the community where our company sits and beyond.
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And I was really another, another way to advocate or another time I advocated for myself is with that role because I was already doing that along with my engineering job.
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I just really like volunteering.
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I like, you know, the community and giving back.
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And so I was kind of maneuvering those little events.
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I say little, but car notes was not little.
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I was maneuvering that along with my engineering job.
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And, you know, it's because you love it and it's your passion, it doesn't feel like work.
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But I had a really good sponsor and mentor to say, hey, let's make this a full-time role for you.
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And I was able to create that role and be the first global corporate social responsibility manager for my previous company responsible for all of the good things that our employees do in 40 countries and making impacts all over the world.
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And it's in that job, I was able to take my engineering by creating processes for sustainability, you know.
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So whoever comes in next, or, you know, if we're going to expand, that there's a blueprint for them to follow and then continuously improve on.
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So there's a lot of things that you could do with your engineering degree or technical degree.
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Yeah, I love that.
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So you mentioned all my favorite words, community impact.
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Sustainability is one of my other favorite words.
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But I wanted to talk about that a little bit more because I always tell people, because I do more community work now, and people fuss at me too.
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They'd be like, Could you have waited?
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And I'm like, Oh, this is my calling.
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And the community.
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So let's talk about that because you are a pillar.
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You do so much for the community, for women, for youth, for everyone.
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So I do want to transition into how you're leading in the community and the impact that you're making.
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And your why for it, because a lot of times that's what drives us to do this work.
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So let's talk a little bit about.
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Absolutely.
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Well, I'll start with my why.
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And my why goes back to my college story, exposure.
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I, you know, having changing my major from one to the other, it did technically add on two years.
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So it took me six and a half years to graduate college, which is not a problem.
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As long as you finish, that's all that matters.
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It doesn't, it doesn't matter how long it takes you.
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But that exposure is my why.
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I want to be able to give kids and students and parents just that exposure as early as possible so they can go in knowing what they want to do, what they don't want to do, what they don't like or like, or invent something new, or combine something.
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You know, just give them the opportunity to expose, uh, to expose themselves to everything.
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And then they can narrow it down, save time, save money, and then get out and do good with the world.
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So that's that's my why I do everything in the community.
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But I I started with this small event called Sunday.
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I'm like, don't you can call these events small.
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These are not small events.
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But go ahead, sad.
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Yeah, this is just a little, it's a for me, it was one of my little brainchild dreams.
00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:52.160
And I was like, why not we bring everybody to our company, these kids to our company, a free event to just experience STEM and what that really means.
00:19:52.240 --> 00:20:00.559
And for parents to see it and having it at a company helps because they can really see it translate from concept to actuality.
00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:05.680
So STEM STEM education is my heart and definitely my passion.
00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:14.000
And with that, with women as well as you know, the minorities in the STEM fields and the technical fields.
00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:31.759
So I am the media past president of Women's Energy Network, which is a wonderful organization that is helping women in STEM, women in energy, and just building a great foundation and a network to for women to collaborate, to help each other, to support each other.
00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:36.319
And with Wynn, I started out as just a member attending a luncheon.
00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:46.559
And one thing my mother has always always told me, I get my leadership skills from her, is that if you want to improve something, you need to be a part of that improvement because who else is doing the work?
00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:47.920
You can't just complain.
00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:53.279
And so I joined the community initiative team, of course.
00:20:53.680 --> 00:21:12.000
But started there, and that's why I learned about Energy Day, Women's Energy Network, how to boost that energy day, which I thought was phenomenal, so much fun, and doing things with Girl Scouts, and lo and behold, slowly worked up to president, of which I wasn't actually thinking about being.
00:21:12.079 --> 00:21:24.160
I just like being a part of Creamy Initiatives, being co-director, but the the organization nominated me and chose me for the wonderful position of Wynn, and I absolutely enjoyed it.
00:21:24.319 --> 00:21:29.920
I will always advocate for Women's Energy Network, just and even for our allies to be a be a part of Wynn.
00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:35.200
So we do have male members because we need allies, but it is definitely for Wynn.
00:21:35.359 --> 00:21:43.119
And those organizations also help bring forward the impact in our community for young girls.
00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:51.440
We have something called Young Women Energize, and we put on a STEM careers event, which of course Clara and her girls are a part of as well.
00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:53.519
And we do that every November.
00:21:53.599 --> 00:21:59.519
And we also give out scholarships,$10,000 scholarships, along with a brand new laptop for our scholarship.
00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:02.960
For girls going into STEM high school seniors.
00:22:03.119 --> 00:22:07.680
So the the why is riddled throughout.
00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:23.039
And I love being able to see, you know, girls and young students just, you know, experience things because when we when we take them to places, we have our STEM career, our STEM careers event, the one that you were at, Carl, we were at the base, the soccer stadium.
00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:24.640
Yeah, that was cool.
00:22:30.079 --> 00:22:34.799
And then we came back to do one at they didn't change all our stadiums in Houston's name.
00:22:34.880 --> 00:22:35.039
I know.
00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:39.279
Everybody's changing names, but that was pretty dope.
00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:40.799
Having the whole stadium.
00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:42.880
It was a ton of girls there.
00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:51.680
And that was always even where we would use our Black Road Engineer ambassadors who are the high school, middle school girls to give back to the community.
00:22:51.839 --> 00:22:54.000
Um, because that's what they're trained to do.
00:22:54.319 --> 00:23:09.839
But I don't know if I ever told you, I used to be on the other side of it as a mentor, one of the energy companies I worked for, one of our women groups at the time, president, very heavily involved in when.
00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:13.920
And so she's recruited a lot of us to be mentors too.
00:23:14.079 --> 00:23:14.960
That's awesome.
00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:15.599
Well, yeah.
00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:22.480
I used to do it on the other side too when I was inventoring to just mentor youth, right?
00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:31.359
Um very supportive of when I mean all the great work they've been doing for years, not just not just in Houston, it's more national, too.
00:23:31.680 --> 00:23:33.279
I feel like it's other locations.
00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:43.680
Um and so wherever you are, I would say look at when because the opportunities they provide for high school girls and just that mentoring keys and the events that they do.
00:23:43.920 --> 00:23:51.119
Even if you are in your career and you're looking for a network or a sisterhood to be a part of, they host amazing events around that too.
00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:52.640
So it's most definitely a great work.
00:23:52.880 --> 00:24:01.519
I've been on it from both sides, from bringing in youth to health and also serving as a mentor and being a part of organization myself.
00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:03.279
So it's another great one.
00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:05.759
Yeah, so from presenting too.
00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:12.799
Yeah, you know, I've I've learned I was just out of ease, man.
00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:13.920
Have to make you lie.
00:24:14.880 --> 00:24:18.480
Um I'm gonna accelerate a program and I'm just me.
00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:20.319
Like I'm just down to earth and me.
00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:22.960
I was talking to this amazing guy.
00:24:23.119 --> 00:24:24.079
Where is he from?
00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:26.000
Because he was from all over the world.
00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:27.680
Oh no, what can I remember?
00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:31.200
But I remember I kept telling telling him I'm coming the whole time.
00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:36.480
Um and he kept saying to me, You're so humble.
00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:39.519
And I don't know what he's talking about.
00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:43.920
You know, I know he was getting that, but I was like, Oh yeah, I'm pretty, pretty chill.
00:24:44.400 --> 00:24:50.640
And he was like, he just kept saying it to me because I was he had looked like me up and he was like reading about me.
00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:54.559
And he was like, You're humble because I wouldn't talk about none of like what I do.
00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:59.519
I only talk about it when people like bring it up, and I'm like, ah, yeah, I've done some stuff around it.
00:24:59.839 --> 00:25:00.400
Exactly.
00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:10.880
So I never talked about like the impact and you like everybody knows all I care about is the girls, yeah.
00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:19.440
Um I always tell them to go out there and and and be 10 times better than what I've done in industry and in the community.
00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:21.599
So I just care about mostly just them.
00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:24.640
But when people start talking about stuff, like yeah, I I know.
00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:29.440
And I because I it's stuff I care about, right?
00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:34.160
Yeah, we do have a lot of amazing orgs out there that people don't know.
00:25:34.640 --> 00:25:38.160
It's a woman that I know in Detroit, she just said it the best.
00:25:38.400 --> 00:25:45.279
If you're ever sitting in a house wondering what there is to do, there's a ton of stuff that could be done.
00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:52.240
There's never not nothing to do in our communities, and so there's a lot of orgs that have that.
00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:56.559
If you don't know, you're trying to figure it out, go volunteer with them.
00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:57.279
Exactly.
00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:59.039
Um, to kind of see what it is.
00:25:59.119 --> 00:26:04.240
But I was so proud to see you become president because I was like, this is turning out.
00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:08.240
Like I knew all the work you were doing on the ground with Lynn.
00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:11.759
And when I seen you become president, I was like, I was so proud.
00:26:11.920 --> 00:26:13.119
So proud for you too.
00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:15.839
Passion in your heart for the community.
00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:19.039
But nobody was more deserving at that time for sure than you.
00:26:19.119 --> 00:26:24.160
And I knew you were gonna take Wynn and just do some amazing things throughout the year.
00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:27.839
So you served your year, but you're still active.
00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:28.880
So that's good to know.
00:26:29.119 --> 00:26:31.519
Yes, very much so, very much so.
00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:41.279
It's it's important because I for Houston, I think I was only number number five black female president.
00:26:41.440 --> 00:26:44.400
So I'm out of 30 plus years of women.
00:26:44.880 --> 00:26:49.759
So it was a heavy lift, but you know, a proud one.
00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:51.200
It definitely was a proud one.
00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:53.119
And I I'm so appreciative for it.
00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:58.160
And I am still continuing my my win service because now I'm on the global board as director.
00:26:58.640 --> 00:26:59.039
Oh, yeah.
00:26:59.200 --> 00:27:01.279
I did just put that announcement.
00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:02.880
Yes.
00:27:03.519 --> 00:27:04.960
So more, oh wow.
00:27:05.119 --> 00:27:08.400
So so tell us about that, how much you can share.
00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:14.640
Yes, we have we have our first meeting next month, but we've got some new positions with the global board.
00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:19.920
We are 23 chapters and two in a in an other countries.
00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:28.640
So we're trying to build win, and that's really our goal is to build win globally, give people more access to win and the resources that we can provide.
00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:30.799
I mean, it's just that continuous improvement.
00:27:30.960 --> 00:27:36.720
You know, what can I continue to do now on the globe level for all the chapters and help be a resource?
00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:37.680
Absolutely.
00:27:37.839 --> 00:27:44.400
So Ty's talking about all that she's done to help build up others, but Ty has not talked about what she's done to build up herself.
00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:45.200
So there we go.
00:27:48.400 --> 00:27:51.759
I mean, as a community, we have to come together and and develop.
00:27:51.920 --> 00:27:58.240
But you know, I got the entrepreneurial mindset, and I'm always for us, you know, trying it ourselves.
00:27:58.319 --> 00:28:00.640
And you're most definitely doing that as well.
00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:06.240
So you most definitely are still using your engineering mindset and all that you do.
00:28:06.480 --> 00:28:14.960
But talk about what you're doing now because you're making great impact outside of just women, you're also making great impact with the youth as well.
00:28:15.359 --> 00:28:16.799
Yes, thank you.
00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:19.200
Because I probably was not going to bring that.
00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:35.119
So I create this past year, I created my own company called TIP Prince Design Solutions, as well as my nonprofit, TIPRESS Design STEM, both doing similar things, supporting STEM education in different ways.
00:28:35.359 --> 00:28:44.400
STEM activations is the key in the forefront of both, one doing it for the community and organizations, and then the other one doing it for corporations.
00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:55.279
So, similar to the STEM event I did in my previous company, other companies that may want to do that, you know, they can hire me and I'll go ahead and get get you set up right for your employees.
00:28:55.519 --> 00:29:00.480
But I'll that's it's it's me to have for sure.
00:29:00.799 --> 00:29:02.400
Because I've been on both sides of it.
00:29:02.480 --> 00:29:04.960
I think that's the beauty of what it was for me as well.
00:29:05.359 --> 00:29:08.559
Like a lot of people want to do it, but they just don't know.
00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:09.519
Exactly.
00:29:10.400 --> 00:29:14.720
And so a lot of people think that people have it figured out, especially in these corporations.
00:29:14.880 --> 00:29:25.759
A lot of times in a day-to-day of a corporation, you're trying to figure out how to make revenue and how to complete projects and more of the technical performance requirements.
00:29:26.079 --> 00:29:34.000
Yes, you care about the development of your team, but community is not always figured out, like it needs some help sometimes.
00:29:34.160 --> 00:29:42.559
And so that is something that companies need to have represent representatives come in and say, Hey, let me do this for you.
00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:48.160
Because it helps them too, especially when they want to reach because they all have goals to make great impact.
00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:53.680
They care about their talent and care about hiring from every part of anything.
00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:59.279
Um, they care about all that stuff, but they do need people to come in and help and support.
00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:01.839
And so I'm happy you said that, because that is true.
00:30:02.079 --> 00:30:04.960
Yeah, you most definitely need it to be able to do that.
00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:08.000
You've done that for corporations already for working from them.
00:30:08.160 --> 00:30:15.599
But yeah, as you're independent, yes, you still are going to offer their support and they should take it to take that.
00:30:15.920 --> 00:30:16.400
Exactly.
00:30:17.359 --> 00:30:26.000
Um it is easier said than done, especially um multi-million dollar global companies.
00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:28.079
Oh, that's a lot in itself.
00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:31.200
So you want to be able to reach every part of that.
00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:34.000
And a lot of times it's it comes down to your employees, really.
00:30:34.160 --> 00:30:40.160
And the ones like how you did, like you raised your hand, you showed up and wanted to volunteer.
00:30:40.319 --> 00:30:48.000
And a lot of times it takes those employees to do that, to say the extra volunteer and in this community like that.
00:30:48.319 --> 00:30:51.519
So it's it's not always figured out for everyone.
00:30:51.680 --> 00:30:54.480
So, yes, your services is most definitely needed.
00:30:54.960 --> 00:30:56.559
Yes, definitely.
00:30:56.720 --> 00:31:07.440
And I one of the one of my things that I've been sitting on for a long time, and I'm so happy that it's finally here and to fruition is my very own STEM kits that I'm doing.
00:31:07.680 --> 00:31:14.240
But and there are a lot of great STEM kits out there, I know, because I've purchased them all for our student for STEM day.
00:31:14.640 --> 00:31:33.039
But one thing different about mine is I'm bringing in the culture and history piece to it, just to really give students and parents and teachers and programs that the STEM concepts, they have been there from before and they're going to continue keeping, you know, keeping us going.
00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:40.720
And it's all how you use them and where we came from and learning your history, learning your culture, celebrating your culture.
00:31:40.880 --> 00:31:51.039
So I get to combine all that with STEM and a hands-on project in a kit, and that has just been so much fun for me to even create them.
00:31:51.119 --> 00:31:54.559
And I'm like, I I'm I'm happy I get to create them.
00:31:54.720 --> 00:32:03.039
So that's one of the biggest things I'm most proud of uh to date, I think, on myself, on my side of my business.
00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:06.400
And then lastly, tie dye.
00:32:06.799 --> 00:32:08.559
So oh yeah, yeah.
00:32:08.799 --> 00:32:15.920
I'm about to start calling you tie-dye craing, because indeed.
00:32:16.079 --> 00:32:18.880
I indeed, and that is such a crazy store car.
00:32:19.279 --> 00:32:24.160
So for those of us in Houston, we all remember Hurricane Barrel, unfortunately.
00:32:24.640 --> 00:32:27.759
You know, we were a lot of us were out power and water.
00:32:28.400 --> 00:32:31.279
And my mother was here visiting me.
00:32:31.440 --> 00:32:33.119
She is a phenomenal woman.
00:32:33.440 --> 00:32:41.920
She is CEO of a nonprofit that helps with uh water education for girls as well, mainly in Belize.
00:32:42.160 --> 00:32:48.640
So she was on her way to Belize where she's like, I'll stop here since her flight connects here, and she'll spend some time with you for a couple of days.
00:32:48.880 --> 00:32:52.319
Well, it was like the day before her game brown.
00:32:52.480 --> 00:32:54.720
So she got stuck here.
00:32:55.519 --> 00:32:57.440
She got stuck here with me.
00:32:57.680 --> 00:33:00.559
And she was like, Well, I'm with my daughter, so everything's fine.
00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:05.039
Yeah, going to be a little bit more than a little bit of a new year before that you were exactly, exactly.
00:33:05.119 --> 00:33:07.599
And I was like, mom, sorry, like it's hot and I don't have any.
00:33:08.799 --> 00:33:09.839
She was like, it's fine.
00:33:09.920 --> 00:33:11.519
She's like, Well, do you want to learn tie-dye?
00:33:11.680 --> 00:33:14.799
Because she was going to be doing it with the girls and believe.
00:33:15.359 --> 00:33:17.599
And I was like, Okay, sure, why not?
00:33:17.920 --> 00:33:23.839
And I literally was hooked from that day with tie-dye.
00:33:24.079 --> 00:33:29.119
And I have, I literally tie-dyed something every day for probably the next three months.
00:33:29.279 --> 00:33:29.680
Wow.
00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:32.640
And I am massed a whole lot of stuff.
00:33:32.880 --> 00:33:42.720
And back to my dad, he was like, I bet you won't turn that into a business because what you're gonna do with all these shirts, and I was like, Okay, okay.
00:33:43.839 --> 00:33:58.640
Your peer exactly for information as they should be, but it's just amazing how everything they introduce you to, you become it or you do it.
00:33:58.799 --> 00:34:01.200
That is so amazing.
00:34:01.359 --> 00:34:06.400
I mean, most definitely from your perspective, from but but from a parent perspective, I know they're proud.
00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:08.400
They they they are amazing.
00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:11.679
They're definitely my foundation, and they've worked hard themselves.
00:34:11.760 --> 00:34:16.400
They they've always said, you know, we've learned these lessons, so you don't have to learn them, but you're gonna be learning your own.
00:34:16.480 --> 00:34:16.639
Yeah.
00:34:16.800 --> 00:34:18.719
But these ones we can you can teach you.
00:34:18.960 --> 00:34:26.320
And you know, with the tie-dye, it definitely became also a mental relaxation for me, too.
00:34:26.559 --> 00:34:31.599
And also it combines engineering, it combines STEM and Arya.
00:34:32.239 --> 00:34:32.719
Yeah.
00:34:32.960 --> 00:34:34.559
So that's the cool part about it.
00:34:34.639 --> 00:34:42.079
Cause like that's why I called you the tie-dye queen, because like I know people because I can go do a whole episode about this.
00:34:42.159 --> 00:34:47.760
Like, as the engineer, you most definitely need something to balance you out to relax you.
00:34:48.320 --> 00:34:50.800
It's it can be a very demanding job.
00:34:50.960 --> 00:34:55.039
It can I don't want to say it can be stressful, but it's yes, stressful.
00:34:55.599 --> 00:35:00.480
Yeah, so it would be like to find your hobby, your joy.
00:35:00.639 --> 00:35:03.519
Um in the midst of it, to keep you settled.
00:35:03.679 --> 00:35:05.280
And so I think a lot of people do a lot.
00:35:05.440 --> 00:35:08.880
Like, I know like crocheting is like hot right now.
00:35:10.400 --> 00:35:12.639
And so many different things.
00:35:12.880 --> 00:35:16.960
When when I started seeing you doing tie-dye, I was like, go go head now.
00:35:17.920 --> 00:35:21.920
Like that is something cool that most people don't think about.
00:35:22.079 --> 00:35:24.320
Look, let me go tie-dye this, right?
00:35:24.400 --> 00:35:29.360
You you may see like a piece of clothing in the store and you like those colors, you like that print, right?
00:35:29.599 --> 00:35:32.320
But you was like, no, I'm about to teach you how to do it.
00:35:32.400 --> 00:35:35.599
So I think that is just dope in itself.
00:35:36.079 --> 00:35:38.239
And what works for you worked for you.
00:35:38.800 --> 00:35:40.320
Uh I don't know.
00:35:40.400 --> 00:35:42.320
I can't even remember my hobby.
00:35:46.639 --> 00:35:49.599
It used to be dance, like when I was younger.
00:35:50.239 --> 00:35:53.039
I have I had that time to dance in forever.
00:35:53.119 --> 00:35:58.320
But that is one thing I did promise people that I was gonna try to take a dance class this year.
00:35:58.480 --> 00:35:59.119
But good.
00:35:59.599 --> 00:36:01.280
And maybe tie dye with you.
00:36:01.679 --> 00:36:03.440
Oh, tie-dye.
00:36:04.079 --> 00:36:04.719
Let me know.
00:36:04.880 --> 00:36:11.840
I will bring my little kids with me and we can tie-dye, because it's it's I I just I love it, I love sharing it.
00:36:12.559 --> 00:36:18.159
I really just love seeing like people create and then they open up and be like, wow.
00:36:18.239 --> 00:36:32.400
And so because you don't think about yeah, yeah, you're so into like the color adding and all that, but you don't think about like the beauty you're creating, and I just have to talk to position everything right so it can come out like how you need it.
00:36:33.039 --> 00:36:34.639
But always that's and that's the best part.
00:36:34.800 --> 00:36:43.519
It's like a present because no matter what you you do your folds, you can do your geometry and all the things, and but water will be water.
00:36:44.000 --> 00:36:44.639
Oh yeah.
00:36:44.800 --> 00:36:46.320
Oh, I can only bad.
00:36:47.760 --> 00:36:51.840
It's gonna go where it wants to go, but you can guide it.
00:36:52.320 --> 00:36:54.320
It's blending of it all.
00:36:54.400 --> 00:36:59.280
There's like, I mean, it's chemistry, there's geometry because it's so many different things.
00:36:59.519 --> 00:37:04.800
Adding angles to it, you know, determines where, you know, I want to flow this way, I want to flow that way.
00:37:04.960 --> 00:37:12.079
It's just it for me, tie-dye really brings in both my left and right brain together, and I really get to be whole when I tie-dye.
00:37:17.519 --> 00:37:22.639
It's good that you prove that because many people have not gotten there yet.
00:37:22.800 --> 00:37:26.480
Like, I I feel like I'm more balanced now myself.
00:37:26.639 --> 00:37:28.239
Today I tried pottery.
00:37:29.840 --> 00:37:32.400
Because my seven-year-old said, Let's go do it.
00:37:32.559 --> 00:37:36.880
And so I mean, I had to advocate for her because God was like, She's too young.
00:37:37.039 --> 00:37:38.480
I never let him do it this young.
00:37:38.559 --> 00:37:41.360
And I was like, Well, let her show you what she can do.
00:37:41.599 --> 00:37:49.840
Okay, and by the time we were done, he was like, Man, she was really good, like better than like people who are probably twice her age.
00:37:50.960 --> 00:37:54.159
So I tried that today for the first time.
00:37:54.320 --> 00:38:03.519
I mean, I think I had too much fun because I was had pottery clay all over the place by the time I was finished, but it was like in my hair, it's everywhere.
00:38:03.599 --> 00:38:06.480
I was like, That's a good time.
00:38:06.800 --> 00:38:13.280
Crafting that art piece, and I love that you mentioned that because I get a lot of people say, What about that A?
00:38:14.079 --> 00:38:22.079
And you have most definitely served the A with that, because art is very important, and that's what the art instructor was asking me to that.
00:38:22.239 --> 00:38:23.840
Do your daughter love art?
00:38:24.000 --> 00:38:26.079
And for me, I'm like special STEM mom.
00:38:26.639 --> 00:38:31.280
I'm like all the STEM stuff, like, yeah, she likes this and that.
00:38:31.440 --> 00:38:32.880
And I was like, No, she really likes art.
00:38:32.960 --> 00:38:35.920
Like, she has nation at home because she really loves it.
00:38:36.559 --> 00:38:47.199
Um, but the chemistry, like you mentioned, like a lot of times people we think with STEM, yes, we think about art all the all the time with it, but that age alone is very important.
00:38:47.760 --> 00:38:53.199
Um, and it is that that chemistry is a lot of science, a lot of physics that makes that art work.
00:38:53.440 --> 00:38:55.679
So then we talked about that today.
00:38:55.920 --> 00:38:56.880
Yes, yes.
00:38:57.519 --> 00:39:01.199
There's no you can be all the things, there's nothing when you can't.
00:39:01.360 --> 00:39:07.519
So if you like art, if you like STEM, if you want to combine it, if you I mean, there's nothing wrong.
00:39:07.599 --> 00:39:08.639
There's no wrong answer.
00:39:09.199 --> 00:39:13.440
It's not so a lot of lessons out of that, like the creativity piece.
00:39:13.519 --> 00:39:17.280
I love that you're doing your tie-dye, your kids.
00:39:17.519 --> 00:39:18.400
All that is neat.
00:39:18.639 --> 00:39:19.840
There is a lot of kids.
00:39:20.239 --> 00:39:25.599
Okay, let's give applause for the kids because I remember when I first started looking for kids, I couldn't find a kid.
00:39:25.679 --> 00:39:29.840
I was like, Right, right, right, kids had.
00:39:31.599 --> 00:39:35.679
But now I'm starting to see a lot more kids coming online.
00:39:36.400 --> 00:39:38.559
And oh my god, I get joy.
00:39:38.719 --> 00:39:48.000
I get so much joy from it because toys can be more than just picking up, and nothing wrong with dolls or anything like that.
00:39:48.239 --> 00:40:04.239
But I always encourage parents, especially because this generation, it's oh my god, they're so advanced to get those STEM toys, to get those puzzles, those all those things that they can't do a lot of critical thinking and creativity with.
00:40:04.880 --> 00:40:06.079
Because there's so much needed.
00:40:06.159 --> 00:40:10.719
So, like when we left the pottery spot, my daughter was asking for a whole pottery uh plan.
00:40:11.039 --> 00:40:18.880
Okay, definitely not happening, but this is like the small ones, you could buy a small kit, and that's like I don't know.
00:40:19.119 --> 00:40:26.320
I don't know, but I do want to encourage our parents, especially many places, maybe summertime coming.
00:40:27.280 --> 00:40:29.840
And we all are looking for stuff for our kids to do.
00:40:29.920 --> 00:40:36.960
So those stem kits, those are perfect because they would buy you some time for my working parents.
00:40:38.079 --> 00:40:51.039
I've been trying to run my own school, feel like summertime, and then do do many other things, and those hours that you can you know by time with from your kids and join those STEM kits.
00:40:51.119 --> 00:40:51.280
Right.
00:40:51.519 --> 00:40:58.159
Do consider purchasing those and also the ones that connect to your community is most definitely important.
00:40:58.320 --> 00:41:01.119
That representation is most definitely needed.
00:41:01.360 --> 00:41:02.719
So so kudos to that.
00:41:02.880 --> 00:41:12.400
So I did want to touch on all the great things that you are because a lot of times, to be honest, to be transparent, with black women, we are doing such great work, but we forget to highlight ourselves.
00:41:12.639 --> 00:41:14.000
Yes, absolutely.
00:41:14.960 --> 00:41:26.079
And so once this creates space for you to talk about all the great that you do, because you are more than just an engineer, you're such definitely a leader in the community for women, for children.
00:41:26.400 --> 00:41:32.559
You do phenomenal work, and I'm so excited to see what you're going to do on a global level with when.
00:41:32.800 --> 00:41:32.960
Thank you.
00:41:33.280 --> 00:41:33.440
Thank you.
00:41:33.679 --> 00:41:35.519
But you must definitely deserve to be there.
00:41:35.599 --> 00:41:36.719
So I will be back.
00:41:37.519 --> 00:41:42.960
And and always, always, if there's any way I can contribute to help, you know, I'm always here to support.
00:41:43.280 --> 00:41:49.119
So I have to ask you my final question before we're like my my other question.
00:41:49.280 --> 00:41:50.960
Last time I I got tricked up.
00:41:51.039 --> 00:41:53.039
I was like, me, I had to ask it a different way.
00:41:53.440 --> 00:42:02.960
But I was like, we're gonna ask it, but I'm gonna ask you because this is most definitely important for the next generation, to really just kind of inspire them.
00:42:03.519 --> 00:42:12.880
So my question for you would be what should students focus on now if they want to create impact through engineering one day.
00:42:14.800 --> 00:42:21.840
Students should focus on I always just say for me, it's solving a problem.
00:42:22.159 --> 00:42:30.559
It doesn't matter what that problem is, but solving a problem is going to impact someone else and also you.
00:42:30.800 --> 00:42:37.440
Because if you see the problem, somebody else also sees that problem or is having that problem or experiencing that problem.
00:42:37.599 --> 00:42:42.159
And then if you solve that problem, you'd have made an impact on at least one person.
00:42:42.320 --> 00:42:55.199
And who knows how far that goes because that person could then share, oh, so-and-so helped me solve this problem or created this, and now this is so much easier for me, or this saves me so much time, and it continues to grow.
00:42:55.440 --> 00:43:03.599
So your impact could be so exponential, and you may not even realize, but if you just focus on solving a problem, you got that impact.
00:43:04.400 --> 00:43:06.239
I love that perfectly said.
00:43:06.719 --> 00:43:08.639
Just solving a problem.
00:43:10.079 --> 00:43:10.639
Perfect.
00:43:10.880 --> 00:43:12.320
There's nothing more we can add to that.
00:43:12.480 --> 00:43:15.519
So thank you, Ty, for being here today.
00:43:16.719 --> 00:43:17.679
Thank you.
00:43:18.559 --> 00:43:24.239
And what I want people to take from this episode is this engineering is not limited to one lane.
00:43:24.559 --> 00:43:34.079
Tide's journey reminds us that STEM skills can help you lead, serve, solve problems, and create opportunities that impact people far beyond the workplace.
00:43:34.239 --> 00:43:37.119
And for every young person listening, understand this.
00:43:37.280 --> 00:43:39.760
Your purpose can grow through engineering.
00:43:40.000 --> 00:43:42.719
Your title is only part of the story.
00:43:42.880 --> 00:43:44.960
Your impact is what people remember.
00:43:45.199 --> 00:43:51.199
Thank you, Ty, for showing us what it really means to engineer with purpose and lead through service.
00:43:51.280 --> 00:43:57.679
And thank you for listening to Black Girls Do Engineer Podcast, where we build community, confidence, and futures in STEM.
00:43:58.000 --> 00:43:59.599
I'll see you in the next episode.
00:43:59.760 --> 00:44:08.800
To learn more about Black Girls Do Engineer, visit us online at Black Girls Do Engineer.org or email us directly at info at Black Girls Do Engineers.org.
00:00:56.719 --> 00:00:59.520
Welcome back to Black Girls to Engineer Five Five.
00:00:59.679 --> 00:01:04.799
I'm Clara Bridge, chemical engineer and founder and CEO of Black Girls to Engineer.
00:01:04.959 --> 00:01:09.280
And today we're talking about something that young people need to hear thoroughly.
00:01:09.519 --> 00:01:12.799
Engineering is bigger than just a job title.
00:01:13.040 --> 00:01:23.359
The skills you build through STEM can take you into leadership, mentorship, advocacy, and spaces where you'll create real impact in people's lives and community.
00:01:24.159 --> 00:01:36.000
This episode is part of our day in the live series, and I'm joined by Ty Prince, engineer, leader, and someone who has used her STEM background to create impact both professionally and personally.
00:01:36.799 --> 00:01:45.840
This conversation is about purpose, growth, leadership, and what it really means to use engineering as a tool to serve, lead, and create change.
00:01:46.239 --> 00:01:47.280
Let's get into it.
00:01:47.760 --> 00:01:49.439
So welcome to the podcast.
00:01:49.680 --> 00:01:50.000
Hi.
00:01:50.319 --> 00:01:51.200
How are you?
00:01:51.680 --> 00:01:52.000
Good.
00:01:52.159 --> 00:01:53.920
Thank you, Cara, for the invite.
00:01:54.079 --> 00:01:57.840
I'm so excited to be here today and to share my journey, Cara.
00:01:58.480 --> 00:02:00.560
Yes, I'm so excited to have you.
00:02:00.799 --> 00:02:07.280
So for my audience, this is another amazing Black woman that I've known over many, many years.
00:02:07.599 --> 00:02:08.960
Very active in the community.
00:02:09.039 --> 00:02:09.919
That's how we met.
00:02:10.000 --> 00:02:12.800
And we just continue to build on our relationship from there.
00:02:12.960 --> 00:02:17.680
Um, and that includes showing up for one another and being able to help wherever we can.
00:02:17.919 --> 00:02:29.439
So I just want our audience to know, you know, this black girl magic is real, and it's important to come together and work together to do this work in the community because it takes all of us.
00:02:29.520 --> 00:02:40.319
So I'm very excited about this conversation with you today to talk about your journey starting as an engineer and all the amazing things you are doing in the community.
00:02:40.560 --> 00:02:42.960
So let's dive right on in.
00:02:43.599 --> 00:02:45.280
So let's talk about your journey.
00:02:45.439 --> 00:02:50.240
Like what really inspired you to pursue or pursue your engineering degree?
00:02:50.879 --> 00:02:55.759
For me, it really was just kind of everyday life with my dad.
00:02:56.080 --> 00:02:57.599
He is a girl dad.
00:02:57.680 --> 00:02:59.919
So he had two, he has two daughters.
00:03:00.479 --> 00:03:08.960
And my mom, my mom is retired Air Force now, but during that time when she was active duty, she would be gone on different uh league trips.
00:03:09.039 --> 00:03:14.879
And so my dad was going to take care of us, but he had to also take care of the home and take care of the vehicles.
00:03:15.199 --> 00:03:18.800
And he always allowed us to explore and be curious.
00:03:18.960 --> 00:03:23.280
And so I was the one that was always with him to help take things apart.
00:03:23.439 --> 00:03:28.479
It was just so fascinating to me to just take things apart, put it back together, and now something works.
00:03:28.719 --> 00:03:31.199
Or let's figure out why it's not working.
00:03:31.759 --> 00:03:40.560
And fast forward to turning 16 and I was able to get my first car, but I couldn't get my car until I knew how to take care of it.
00:03:40.800 --> 00:03:46.319
So really that birthday present was, I'm gonna show you how to take care of your car and then you'll get it.
00:03:46.479 --> 00:03:54.960
And so he took me how to taught me how to change my tires, my spark plugs, my oil, my brakes, just different things in my vehicle.
00:03:55.039 --> 00:03:56.159
So I knew how to take care of it.
00:03:56.240 --> 00:04:03.039
And then I was able to have the responsibility to drive around as a you know new new driver, but in high school.
00:04:03.120 --> 00:04:07.039
So he he was my inspiration to kind of get into all things tinkering.
00:04:07.280 --> 00:04:10.800
And then that led to what we now know as engineering.
00:04:11.599 --> 00:04:13.360
Wow, shout out to dad.
00:04:13.520 --> 00:04:16.560
So this is a perfect story right on time for me.
00:04:16.639 --> 00:04:19.040
So my daughter is in driving school.
00:04:19.759 --> 00:04:23.360
Most definitely had to be in riding school for us parents out there.
00:04:26.879 --> 00:04:29.519
But the perspective of your dad was amazing.
00:04:29.680 --> 00:04:34.639
Most of the time, we're just thinking about safety on the road, which I'm sure that was your dad's concern as well.
00:04:35.120 --> 00:04:43.199
But understanding the mechanics, like a lot of times, parents don't take their time to really show you the parts of the car.
00:04:43.519 --> 00:04:48.959
One of them being most definitely, I know many people need it's like just simply us changing the tire, right?
00:04:49.199 --> 00:04:49.439
Yeah.
00:04:49.680 --> 00:04:59.439
That's important to know how to service your own car in the time of need and to for your dad to like be like, come on over under this hood and let's learn this car together.
00:04:59.680 --> 00:05:01.920
It shows a lot of great things of your father.
00:05:02.079 --> 00:05:12.160
Like, first of all, you want this car, you're gonna understand his responsibility, but also showing you the mechanics and inspiring you to go into that route.
00:05:12.319 --> 00:05:13.439
So kudow to dad.
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I never thought about that.
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I would take a page out of your dad's book, but I know my daughter looked under his head, but I I do that.
00:05:25.759 --> 00:05:30.480
He took that philosophy and it worked for you and it brought you to engineering today.
00:05:30.639 --> 00:05:34.480
So are you are you more on the mechanical side, mechanical engineering?
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Yes.
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Wow.
00:05:35.920 --> 00:05:40.399
I got into mechanical engineering in school, but funny, I actually didn't start there.
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I uh started in computer science.
00:05:43.439 --> 00:05:54.560
I went to school and talked with my counselor, and I said I wanted to be an oceanographer, but I also wanted to be an audio engineer at the same time.
00:05:55.120 --> 00:05:57.360
And so she was like, computer science where you need to be.
00:05:57.439 --> 00:06:00.639
I said, okay, started school in computer science.
00:06:00.720 --> 00:06:06.319
You know, you do your basic classes, but my university definitely put us in computer science early.
00:06:06.480 --> 00:06:12.319
So as a freshman, what we had at least two classes, starting off with learning languages and the history behind it all.
00:06:12.560 --> 00:06:16.319
And I realized my sophomore year, I don't like this.
00:06:17.680 --> 00:06:18.800
Not like it.
00:06:19.120 --> 00:06:23.120
Computer science had me behind a computer, but I like tinkering.
00:06:23.439 --> 00:06:24.959
I like to work with my hands.
00:06:25.040 --> 00:06:30.959
And so I had taken an elective that was more on the mechanical side, the machine side, and I loved it.
00:06:31.040 --> 00:06:35.839
And so I went back to my advisor and said, I want to change my major to mechanical engineering.
00:06:36.240 --> 00:06:39.040
And she was like, Okay, you might have to retake some classes.
00:06:39.199 --> 00:06:40.319
I said, that's fine.
00:06:41.279 --> 00:06:42.240
I don't want to do that.
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I want to do this.
00:06:44.240 --> 00:06:48.399
I'm happy you said that because that that goes along the lines of like that exposure.
00:06:48.560 --> 00:06:54.800
So I love working with younger children mostly because that only early exposure really matters.
00:06:55.040 --> 00:06:56.959
And your dad did that for you.
00:06:57.199 --> 00:07:08.319
And so the funny part, I would I love that, I love this story because you knew from the moment you worked with your dad, but you got to college, like many of us do, and try to still figure it out.
00:07:08.560 --> 00:07:19.199
But I think the key thing there, and what I love to stress to parents is keeping your child exposed into those types of programming so that they can X what they don't like out.
00:07:19.759 --> 00:07:22.000
Just like your story with computer science.
00:07:22.240 --> 00:07:27.600
My daughter, she wanted to do software engineering, and she did it for a few years, like learning the principles of it.
00:07:27.680 --> 00:07:29.439
And she was just like, No, I can't.
00:07:30.639 --> 00:07:32.560
I can't sit there and code all day.
00:07:32.720 --> 00:07:38.639
Like she loved the game part about it, which is like I can't, I just can't do and you had that same experience.
00:07:38.800 --> 00:07:41.199
And so I went on parents to really understand.
00:07:41.839 --> 00:07:46.800
Like, sometimes your child will show up and be like, no, I don't like that.
00:07:46.879 --> 00:07:59.120
That doesn't mean don't bring them back right to try the next thing because you're trying to find out what their thing is, and you said you love tinkering and you enjoyed those experiences with your dad, I'm sure.
00:07:59.360 --> 00:08:02.079
And now you went back on your own.
00:08:02.240 --> 00:08:10.399
Good thing for advocating for yourself, because a lot of people don't do that until it's your advisor to be like, no, I'm a mechanical engineering because it's your life, right?
00:08:10.560 --> 00:08:11.839
Yeah, doing whatever.
00:08:12.000 --> 00:08:13.600
So kudos to you on that.
00:08:13.839 --> 00:08:15.040
So that's so funny.
00:08:15.199 --> 00:08:22.319
So, like from day one, pretty much you knew you were gonna be a mechanical engineer, but you were still trying to figure it out like many people.
00:08:22.480 --> 00:08:22.879
Exactly.
00:08:22.959 --> 00:08:25.759
And you get advice from others, you know.
00:08:26.079 --> 00:08:34.159
My mom did go to college, and so it's not like I didn't have the the know or the information to know about college.
00:08:34.799 --> 00:08:44.320
Um, but when you are going to, you know, a new school that's not your family school or somewhere different, because like I said, we were a military family.
00:08:44.480 --> 00:08:48.399
We actually moved to Maryland my senior year in high school.
00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:56.559
So it was also like starting over with on the college journey because I was like, oh, I'm going to school in Arizona because that's where we moved from.
00:08:56.720 --> 00:09:03.919
And I liked Arizona, but then I was like, I don't want to be that far away just yet because we just moved and I want to explore the East Coast.
00:09:04.080 --> 00:09:07.759
So, you know, trusting your advisors, and there's nothing wrong with that.
00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:12.080
Definitely trust your advisors, but also, you know, be an advocate for yourself.
00:09:12.159 --> 00:09:14.000
That is very, very key.
00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:15.679
Yeah, I love that.
00:09:15.919 --> 00:09:17.440
So shout out to both of your parents.
00:09:17.519 --> 00:09:30.159
I love this story because well, I've seen some amazing things over the years, especially like with my girls who's going off into college, both of those parents staying in the fight with them to get their kids there.
00:09:30.559 --> 00:09:38.159
I could not imagine what it was like moving from a whole different part of the world to another part in senior year.
00:09:38.399 --> 00:09:39.840
That had to have been hard.
00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:42.159
Very different cultures in both of those places.
00:09:43.279 --> 00:09:45.519
So trying to figure it out, but you still did it.
00:09:45.600 --> 00:09:49.360
Like I moved from just a high school down the street to the next one.
00:09:51.519 --> 00:09:55.759
I could not imagine uh moving reset to like Maryland, right?
00:09:56.559 --> 00:09:57.919
Oh, yeah, I like the DMV.
00:09:58.000 --> 00:09:58.960
Shout out to the DMV.
00:09:59.039 --> 00:09:59.200
Yeah.
00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:04.240
But like moving from Arizona to Maryland is different.
00:10:04.480 --> 00:10:04.879
Wow.
00:10:05.039 --> 00:10:10.879
And to still be able to like advocate for yourself and go into such an amazing career.
00:10:11.039 --> 00:10:11.759
That's cool.
00:10:12.000 --> 00:10:28.799
So I really wanted to talk about that because there's so many people at that stage of their life that I interact with every day that has a lot of things that may interfere with their life decisions, either that's moving or just trying to figure it out.
00:10:29.679 --> 00:10:34.159
But the key to doing that, especially with STEM, is that continuous exposure of things.
00:10:34.799 --> 00:10:41.200
Or if you're kind of like in your senior year, a lot of people just wrap their senior year and a lot of people about to go into it.
00:10:41.919 --> 00:10:48.480
Asking those questions, like you mentioned, for sure, is going to help them and advocating for yourself.
00:10:48.639 --> 00:10:50.720
So all great points.
00:10:50.879 --> 00:10:52.879
So love that, love that, love that.
00:10:53.039 --> 00:11:00.320
So let's talk about mechanical engineering a little bit more as far as like working day to day.
00:11:00.639 --> 00:11:07.679
So, what did that look like once you attained your mechanical engineering degree and you went into the workforce?
00:11:07.919 --> 00:11:09.200
Let's talk about that.
00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:14.000
Yeah, so my first, believe it or not, was an automotive.
00:11:14.159 --> 00:11:16.080
My first job was an automotive.
00:11:16.399 --> 00:11:22.000
I definitely enjoyed learning about my vehicle back then and it stayed with me.
00:11:22.320 --> 00:11:32.960
And I was able to get an internship back in school with the automotive company, and then they hired me on after college, and it was phenomenal.
00:11:33.120 --> 00:11:36.720
Again, I had to move, but being a military kid, we're used to that.
00:11:36.960 --> 00:11:39.600
But the day-to-day was I was in manufacturing.
00:11:39.759 --> 00:11:54.000
So getting to see how things are made, how things are built and put together for the safety of others and the enjoyment of others was just probably the best feeling for me and why I love to go to work every day.
00:11:54.159 --> 00:12:02.639
Because I knew I was improving something for people, for my community, or solving a problem and you know, making it better.
00:12:02.879 --> 00:12:08.240
So, uh, like a life of an automotive engineer, you go to work, you're not in fancy clothes.
00:12:08.320 --> 00:12:10.399
I'll tell you that, not in the manufacturing shop.
00:12:11.039 --> 00:12:17.279
But you're in a uniform, but you get to choose the color of your shirt every day, at least.
00:12:22.240 --> 00:12:33.840
You're walking the manufacturing line, you know, seeing how the people and machines work together to build something so fantastic and something that we use every day, and even more, a need every day.
00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:38.159
It needs to be safe, it needs to take us from point A to point B.
00:12:38.320 --> 00:12:43.919
And it also needs to be comfortable and enjoyable and have all the things work properly.
00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:51.440
And being a part of that, putting that all together and seeing a finished vehicle roll off the line is phenomenal.
00:12:51.679 --> 00:12:53.600
So some days you're solving problems.
00:12:53.759 --> 00:13:01.200
Some days you're just like, oh, let's see if we can improve how our team members are working with the machines to put something together.
00:13:01.440 --> 00:13:05.600
So sometimes your work is solving problems just within the machine shop, the manufacturing shop.
00:13:05.679 --> 00:13:12.080
And sometimes your work is solving problems for the broader community who will who you will never meet and they will never know.
00:13:12.399 --> 00:13:15.840
But you know, that impact is going to be lifelong.
00:13:16.399 --> 00:13:18.000
No, this is so funny.
00:13:18.159 --> 00:13:20.639
Like it started with just that early exposure.
00:13:20.799 --> 00:13:30.799
You went from working on cars to creating and making and providing them for the community.
00:13:30.960 --> 00:13:37.600
So that is pretty dope and so a lot of people don't think about that.
00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:41.919
And I love that you reference the car industry.
00:13:42.240 --> 00:13:45.279
That is like one of the main examples I use for children.
00:13:45.919 --> 00:13:50.799
Because you're riding a car everywhere, and so like the people we like, what do engineers do?
00:13:51.279 --> 00:13:55.120
I always kind of start with a car bridge because these are things they typically see.
00:13:55.600 --> 00:14:04.080
So it's kind of cool that you were able to do car manufacturing, bringing things that most definitely the community needs to life.
00:14:04.480 --> 00:14:05.679
That that's pretty dope.
00:14:05.840 --> 00:14:11.120
So mechanical engineering and doing the automotive industry.
00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:14.480
So let's talk about is there any other places that you've worked?
00:14:14.639 --> 00:14:20.480
You kind of brought your your mechanical engineering degree to because I want to talk a little bit about transferable skills.
00:14:20.639 --> 00:14:31.279
So a lot of times we start with our main engineering degree, and what many people don't know that you can still take that degree and transition to many different places.
00:14:31.679 --> 00:14:32.960
So I know you've done that.
00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:36.159
So let's talk a little bit about that.
00:14:36.799 --> 00:14:37.519
Absolutely.
00:14:37.679 --> 00:14:41.679
So when I was an automotive, I was a manufacturing engineer and a quality engineer.
00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:48.559
And then I transitioned to the energy space, working for an energy company, energy manufacturer.
00:14:48.799 --> 00:14:55.600
And I went back to manufacturing and then back to quality and business excellence.
00:14:55.759 --> 00:15:03.759
So I was able to take my manufacturing experience, that problem-solving experience, and really change, move that into business excellence.
00:15:03.840 --> 00:15:11.039
So what business excellence is what that means in the corporate world is just continuous improvement, but at an organizational level.
00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:14.960
So not just maybe a part, but maybe a whole department.
00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:17.200
How can we improve the department?
00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:24.000
How can we lean out, you know, processes within a department or in our business unit?
00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:38.240
So that was really fun to do because now you're seeing things on a bigger level that's affecting your other workers, your other team members and employees that in turn helps progress the business.
00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:45.840
Again, and you will never see those customers, but you know you're helping and moving things along, you know, for your community.
00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:48.799
So it was really cool to move into business excellence.
00:15:48.879 --> 00:15:53.919
And then ultimately, I moved into corporate social responsibility.
00:15:54.159 --> 00:16:00.320
That's a lot of words for just basically doing good things in the community.
00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:14.960
And it is it allowed me to take my problem-solving skills to help make an impact using our company and our employees and make an impact in the community where our company sits and beyond.
00:16:15.360 --> 00:16:26.879
And I was really another, another way to advocate or another time I advocated for myself is with that role because I was already doing that along with my engineering job.
00:16:27.039 --> 00:16:28.559
I just really like volunteering.
00:16:28.799 --> 00:16:30.799
I like, you know, the community and giving back.
00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:34.320
And so I was kind of maneuvering those little events.
00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:37.440
I say little, but car notes was not little.
00:16:41.200 --> 00:16:45.039
I was maneuvering that along with my engineering job.
00:16:45.200 --> 00:16:49.519
And, you know, it's because you love it and it's your passion, it doesn't feel like work.
00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:56.799
But I had a really good sponsor and mentor to say, hey, let's make this a full-time role for you.
00:16:57.039 --> 00:17:12.240
And I was able to create that role and be the first global corporate social responsibility manager for my previous company responsible for all of the good things that our employees do in 40 countries and making impacts all over the world.
00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:19.680
And it's in that job, I was able to take my engineering by creating processes for sustainability, you know.
00:17:19.839 --> 00:17:27.839
So whoever comes in next, or, you know, if we're going to expand, that there's a blueprint for them to follow and then continuously improve on.
00:17:28.079 --> 00:17:32.880
So there's a lot of things that you could do with your engineering degree or technical degree.
00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:34.000
Yeah, I love that.
00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:37.119
So you mentioned all my favorite words, community impact.
00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:40.559
Sustainability is one of my other favorite words.
00:17:40.880 --> 00:17:49.279
But I wanted to talk about that a little bit more because I always tell people, because I do more community work now, and people fuss at me too.
00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:51.359
They'd be like, Could you have waited?
00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:56.160
And I'm like, Oh, this is my calling.
00:18:06.160 --> 00:18:06.960
And the community.
00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:10.079
So let's talk about that because you are a pillar.
00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:15.119
You do so much for the community, for women, for youth, for everyone.
00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:21.839
So I do want to transition into how you're leading in the community and the impact that you're making.
00:18:22.079 --> 00:18:26.480
And your why for it, because a lot of times that's what drives us to do this work.
00:18:26.640 --> 00:18:27.920
So let's talk a little bit about.
00:18:28.400 --> 00:18:28.880
Absolutely.
00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:30.559
Well, I'll start with my why.
00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:34.960
And my why goes back to my college story, exposure.
00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:41.440
I, you know, having changing my major from one to the other, it did technically add on two years.
00:18:41.680 --> 00:18:46.000
So it took me six and a half years to graduate college, which is not a problem.
00:18:46.160 --> 00:18:48.559
As long as you finish, that's all that matters.
00:18:48.720 --> 00:18:51.279
It doesn't, it doesn't matter how long it takes you.
00:18:51.599 --> 00:18:54.720
But that exposure is my why.
00:18:54.799 --> 00:19:09.599
I want to be able to give kids and students and parents just that exposure as early as possible so they can go in knowing what they want to do, what they don't want to do, what they don't like or like, or invent something new, or combine something.
00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:15.039
You know, just give them the opportunity to expose, uh, to expose themselves to everything.
00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:20.640
And then they can narrow it down, save time, save money, and then get out and do good with the world.
00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:24.400
So that's that's my why I do everything in the community.
00:19:24.640 --> 00:19:30.160
But I I started with this small event called Sunday.
00:19:30.400 --> 00:19:33.119
I'm like, don't you can call these events small.
00:19:33.680 --> 00:19:35.359
These are not small events.
00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:37.119
But go ahead, sad.
00:19:37.519 --> 00:19:43.920
Yeah, this is just a little, it's a for me, it was one of my little brainchild dreams.
00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:52.160
And I was like, why not we bring everybody to our company, these kids to our company, a free event to just experience STEM and what that really means.
00:19:52.240 --> 00:20:00.559
And for parents to see it and having it at a company helps because they can really see it translate from concept to actuality.
00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:05.680
So STEM STEM education is my heart and definitely my passion.
00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:14.000
And with that, with women as well as you know, the minorities in the STEM fields and the technical fields.
00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:31.759
So I am the media past president of Women's Energy Network, which is a wonderful organization that is helping women in STEM, women in energy, and just building a great foundation and a network to for women to collaborate, to help each other, to support each other.
00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:36.319
And with Wynn, I started out as just a member attending a luncheon.
00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:46.559
And one thing my mother has always always told me, I get my leadership skills from her, is that if you want to improve something, you need to be a part of that improvement because who else is doing the work?
00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:47.920
You can't just complain.
00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:53.279
And so I joined the community initiative team, of course.
00:20:53.680 --> 00:21:12.000
But started there, and that's why I learned about Energy Day, Women's Energy Network, how to boost that energy day, which I thought was phenomenal, so much fun, and doing things with Girl Scouts, and lo and behold, slowly worked up to president, of which I wasn't actually thinking about being.
00:21:12.079 --> 00:21:24.160
I just like being a part of Creamy Initiatives, being co-director, but the the organization nominated me and chose me for the wonderful position of Wynn, and I absolutely enjoyed it.
00:21:24.319 --> 00:21:29.920
I will always advocate for Women's Energy Network, just and even for our allies to be a be a part of Wynn.
00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:35.200
So we do have male members because we need allies, but it is definitely for Wynn.
00:21:35.359 --> 00:21:43.119
And those organizations also help bring forward the impact in our community for young girls.
00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:51.440
We have something called Young Women Energize, and we put on a STEM careers event, which of course Clara and her girls are a part of as well.
00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:53.519
And we do that every November.
00:21:53.599 --> 00:21:59.519
And we also give out scholarships,$10,000 scholarships, along with a brand new laptop for our scholarship.
00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:02.960
For girls going into STEM high school seniors.
00:22:03.119 --> 00:22:07.680
So the the why is riddled throughout.
00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:23.039
And I love being able to see, you know, girls and young students just, you know, experience things because when we when we take them to places, we have our STEM career, our STEM careers event, the one that you were at, Carl, we were at the base, the soccer stadium.
00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:24.640
Yeah, that was cool.
00:22:30.079 --> 00:22:34.799
And then we came back to do one at they didn't change all our stadiums in Houston's name.
00:22:34.880 --> 00:22:35.039
I know.
00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:39.279
Everybody's changing names, but that was pretty dope.
00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:40.799
Having the whole stadium.
00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:42.880
It was a ton of girls there.
00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:51.680
And that was always even where we would use our Black Road Engineer ambassadors who are the high school, middle school girls to give back to the community.
00:22:51.839 --> 00:22:54.000
Um, because that's what they're trained to do.
00:22:54.319 --> 00:23:09.839
But I don't know if I ever told you, I used to be on the other side of it as a mentor, one of the energy companies I worked for, one of our women groups at the time, president, very heavily involved in when.
00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:13.920
And so she's recruited a lot of us to be mentors too.
00:23:14.079 --> 00:23:14.960
That's awesome.
00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:15.599
Well, yeah.
00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:22.480
I used to do it on the other side too when I was inventoring to just mentor youth, right?
00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:31.359
Um very supportive of when I mean all the great work they've been doing for years, not just not just in Houston, it's more national, too.
00:23:31.680 --> 00:23:33.279
I feel like it's other locations.
00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:43.680
Um and so wherever you are, I would say look at when because the opportunities they provide for high school girls and just that mentoring keys and the events that they do.
00:23:43.920 --> 00:23:51.119
Even if you are in your career and you're looking for a network or a sisterhood to be a part of, they host amazing events around that too.
00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:52.640
So it's most definitely a great work.
00:23:52.880 --> 00:24:01.519
I've been on it from both sides, from bringing in youth to health and also serving as a mentor and being a part of organization myself.
00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:03.279
So it's another great one.
00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:05.759
Yeah, so from presenting too.
00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:12.799
Yeah, you know, I've I've learned I was just out of ease, man.
00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:13.920
Have to make you lie.
00:24:14.880 --> 00:24:18.480
Um I'm gonna accelerate a program and I'm just me.
00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:20.319
Like I'm just down to earth and me.
00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:22.960
I was talking to this amazing guy.
00:24:23.119 --> 00:24:24.079
Where is he from?
00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:26.000
Because he was from all over the world.
00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:27.680
Oh no, what can I remember?
00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:31.200
But I remember I kept telling telling him I'm coming the whole time.
00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:36.480
Um and he kept saying to me, You're so humble.
00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:39.519
And I don't know what he's talking about.
00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:43.920
You know, I know he was getting that, but I was like, Oh yeah, I'm pretty, pretty chill.
00:24:44.400 --> 00:24:50.640
And he was like, he just kept saying it to me because I was he had looked like me up and he was like reading about me.
00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:54.559
And he was like, You're humble because I wouldn't talk about none of like what I do.
00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:59.519
I only talk about it when people like bring it up, and I'm like, ah, yeah, I've done some stuff around it.
00:24:59.839 --> 00:25:00.400
Exactly.
00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:10.880
So I never talked about like the impact and you like everybody knows all I care about is the girls, yeah.
00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:19.440
Um I always tell them to go out there and and and be 10 times better than what I've done in industry and in the community.
00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:21.599
So I just care about mostly just them.
00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:24.640
But when people start talking about stuff, like yeah, I I know.
00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:29.440
And I because I it's stuff I care about, right?
00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:34.160
Yeah, we do have a lot of amazing orgs out there that people don't know.
00:25:34.640 --> 00:25:38.160
It's a woman that I know in Detroit, she just said it the best.
00:25:38.400 --> 00:25:45.279
If you're ever sitting in a house wondering what there is to do, there's a ton of stuff that could be done.
00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:52.240
There's never not nothing to do in our communities, and so there's a lot of orgs that have that.
00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:56.559
If you don't know, you're trying to figure it out, go volunteer with them.
00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:57.279
Exactly.
00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:59.039
Um, to kind of see what it is.
00:25:59.119 --> 00:26:04.240
But I was so proud to see you become president because I was like, this is turning out.
00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:08.240
Like I knew all the work you were doing on the ground with Lynn.
00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:11.759
And when I seen you become president, I was like, I was so proud.
00:26:11.920 --> 00:26:13.119
So proud for you too.
00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:15.839
Passion in your heart for the community.
00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:19.039
But nobody was more deserving at that time for sure than you.
00:26:19.119 --> 00:26:24.160
And I knew you were gonna take Wynn and just do some amazing things throughout the year.
00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:27.839
So you served your year, but you're still active.
00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:28.880
So that's good to know.
00:26:29.119 --> 00:26:31.519
Yes, very much so, very much so.
00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:41.279
It's it's important because I for Houston, I think I was only number number five black female president.
00:26:41.440 --> 00:26:44.400
So I'm out of 30 plus years of women.
00:26:44.880 --> 00:26:49.759
So it was a heavy lift, but you know, a proud one.
00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:51.200
It definitely was a proud one.
00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:53.119
And I I'm so appreciative for it.
00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:58.160
And I am still continuing my my win service because now I'm on the global board as director.
00:26:58.640 --> 00:26:59.039
Oh, yeah.
00:26:59.200 --> 00:27:01.279
I did just put that announcement.
00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:02.880
Yes.
00:27:03.519 --> 00:27:04.960
So more, oh wow.
00:27:05.119 --> 00:27:08.400
So so tell us about that, how much you can share.
00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:14.640
Yes, we have we have our first meeting next month, but we've got some new positions with the global board.
00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:19.920
We are 23 chapters and two in a in an other countries.
00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:28.640
So we're trying to build win, and that's really our goal is to build win globally, give people more access to win and the resources that we can provide.
00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:30.799
I mean, it's just that continuous improvement.
00:27:30.960 --> 00:27:36.720
You know, what can I continue to do now on the globe level for all the chapters and help be a resource?
00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:37.680
Absolutely.
00:27:37.839 --> 00:27:44.400
So Ty's talking about all that she's done to help build up others, but Ty has not talked about what she's done to build up herself.
00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:45.200
So there we go.
00:27:48.400 --> 00:27:51.759
I mean, as a community, we have to come together and and develop.
00:27:51.920 --> 00:27:58.240
But you know, I got the entrepreneurial mindset, and I'm always for us, you know, trying it ourselves.
00:27:58.319 --> 00:28:00.640
And you're most definitely doing that as well.
00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:06.240
So you most definitely are still using your engineering mindset and all that you do.
00:28:06.480 --> 00:28:14.960
But talk about what you're doing now because you're making great impact outside of just women, you're also making great impact with the youth as well.
00:28:15.359 --> 00:28:16.799
Yes, thank you.
00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:19.200
Because I probably was not going to bring that.
00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:35.119
So I create this past year, I created my own company called TIP Prince Design Solutions, as well as my nonprofit, TIPRESS Design STEM, both doing similar things, supporting STEM education in different ways.
00:28:35.359 --> 00:28:44.400
STEM activations is the key in the forefront of both, one doing it for the community and organizations, and then the other one doing it for corporations.
00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:55.279
So, similar to the STEM event I did in my previous company, other companies that may want to do that, you know, they can hire me and I'll go ahead and get get you set up right for your employees.
00:28:55.519 --> 00:29:00.480
But I'll that's it's it's me to have for sure.
00:29:00.799 --> 00:29:02.400
Because I've been on both sides of it.
00:29:02.480 --> 00:29:04.960
I think that's the beauty of what it was for me as well.
00:29:05.359 --> 00:29:08.559
Like a lot of people want to do it, but they just don't know.
00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:09.519
Exactly.
00:29:10.400 --> 00:29:14.720
And so a lot of people think that people have it figured out, especially in these corporations.
00:29:14.880 --> 00:29:25.759
A lot of times in a day-to-day of a corporation, you're trying to figure out how to make revenue and how to complete projects and more of the technical performance requirements.
00:29:26.079 --> 00:29:34.000
Yes, you care about the development of your team, but community is not always figured out, like it needs some help sometimes.
00:29:34.160 --> 00:29:42.559
And so that is something that companies need to have represent representatives come in and say, Hey, let me do this for you.
00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:48.160
Because it helps them too, especially when they want to reach because they all have goals to make great impact.
00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:53.680
They care about their talent and care about hiring from every part of anything.
00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:59.279
Um, they care about all that stuff, but they do need people to come in and help and support.
00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:01.839
And so I'm happy you said that, because that is true.
00:30:02.079 --> 00:30:04.960
Yeah, you most definitely need it to be able to do that.
00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:08.000
You've done that for corporations already for working from them.
00:30:08.160 --> 00:30:15.599
But yeah, as you're independent, yes, you still are going to offer their support and they should take it to take that.
00:30:15.920 --> 00:30:16.400
Exactly.
00:30:17.359 --> 00:30:26.000
Um it is easier said than done, especially um multi-million dollar global companies.
00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:28.079
Oh, that's a lot in itself.
00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:31.200
So you want to be able to reach every part of that.
00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:34.000
And a lot of times it's it comes down to your employees, really.
00:30:34.160 --> 00:30:40.160
And the ones like how you did, like you raised your hand, you showed up and wanted to volunteer.
00:30:40.319 --> 00:30:48.000
And a lot of times it takes those employees to do that, to say the extra volunteer and in this community like that.
00:30:48.319 --> 00:30:51.519
So it's it's not always figured out for everyone.
00:30:51.680 --> 00:30:54.480
So, yes, your services is most definitely needed.
00:30:54.960 --> 00:30:56.559
Yes, definitely.
00:30:56.720 --> 00:31:07.440
And I one of the one of my things that I've been sitting on for a long time, and I'm so happy that it's finally here and to fruition is my very own STEM kits that I'm doing.
00:31:07.680 --> 00:31:14.240
But and there are a lot of great STEM kits out there, I know, because I've purchased them all for our student for STEM day.
00:31:14.640 --> 00:31:33.039
But one thing different about mine is I'm bringing in the culture and history piece to it, just to really give students and parents and teachers and programs that the STEM concepts, they have been there from before and they're going to continue keeping, you know, keeping us going.
00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:40.720
And it's all how you use them and where we came from and learning your history, learning your culture, celebrating your culture.
00:31:40.880 --> 00:31:51.039
So I get to combine all that with STEM and a hands-on project in a kit, and that has just been so much fun for me to even create them.
00:31:51.119 --> 00:31:54.559
And I'm like, I I'm I'm happy I get to create them.
00:31:54.720 --> 00:32:03.039
So that's one of the biggest things I'm most proud of uh to date, I think, on myself, on my side of my business.
00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:06.400
And then lastly, tie dye.
00:32:06.799 --> 00:32:08.559
So oh yeah, yeah.
00:32:08.799 --> 00:32:15.920
I'm about to start calling you tie-dye craing, because indeed.
00:32:16.079 --> 00:32:18.880
I indeed, and that is such a crazy store car.
00:32:19.279 --> 00:32:24.160
So for those of us in Houston, we all remember Hurricane Barrel, unfortunately.
00:32:24.640 --> 00:32:27.759
You know, we were a lot of us were out power and water.
00:32:28.400 --> 00:32:31.279
And my mother was here visiting me.
00:32:31.440 --> 00:32:33.119
She is a phenomenal woman.
00:32:33.440 --> 00:32:41.920
She is CEO of a nonprofit that helps with uh water education for girls as well, mainly in Belize.
00:32:42.160 --> 00:32:48.640
So she was on her way to Belize where she's like, I'll stop here since her flight connects here, and she'll spend some time with you for a couple of days.
00:32:48.880 --> 00:32:52.319
Well, it was like the day before her game brown.
00:32:52.480 --> 00:32:54.720
So she got stuck here.
00:32:55.519 --> 00:32:57.440
She got stuck here with me.
00:32:57.680 --> 00:33:00.559
And she was like, Well, I'm with my daughter, so everything's fine.
00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:05.039
Yeah, going to be a little bit more than a little bit of a new year before that you were exactly, exactly.
00:33:05.119 --> 00:33:07.599
And I was like, mom, sorry, like it's hot and I don't have any.
00:33:08.799 --> 00:33:09.839
She was like, it's fine.
00:33:09.920 --> 00:33:11.519
She's like, Well, do you want to learn tie-dye?
00:33:11.680 --> 00:33:14.799
Because she was going to be doing it with the girls and believe.
00:33:15.359 --> 00:33:17.599
And I was like, Okay, sure, why not?
00:33:17.920 --> 00:33:23.839
And I literally was hooked from that day with tie-dye.
00:33:24.079 --> 00:33:29.119
And I have, I literally tie-dyed something every day for probably the next three months.
00:33:29.279 --> 00:33:29.680
Wow.
00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:32.640
And I am massed a whole lot of stuff.
00:33:32.880 --> 00:33:42.720
And back to my dad, he was like, I bet you won't turn that into a business because what you're gonna do with all these shirts, and I was like, Okay, okay.
00:33:43.839 --> 00:33:58.640
Your peer exactly for information as they should be, but it's just amazing how everything they introduce you to, you become it or you do it.
00:33:58.799 --> 00:34:01.200
That is so amazing.
00:34:01.359 --> 00:34:06.400
I mean, most definitely from your perspective, from but but from a parent perspective, I know they're proud.
00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:08.400
They they they are amazing.
00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:11.679
They're definitely my foundation, and they've worked hard themselves.
00:34:11.760 --> 00:34:16.400
They they've always said, you know, we've learned these lessons, so you don't have to learn them, but you're gonna be learning your own.
00:34:16.480 --> 00:34:16.639
Yeah.
00:34:16.800 --> 00:34:18.719
But these ones we can you can teach you.
00:34:18.960 --> 00:34:26.320
And you know, with the tie-dye, it definitely became also a mental relaxation for me, too.
00:34:26.559 --> 00:34:31.599
And also it combines engineering, it combines STEM and Arya.
00:34:32.239 --> 00:34:32.719
Yeah.
00:34:32.960 --> 00:34:34.559
So that's the cool part about it.
00:34:34.639 --> 00:34:42.079
Cause like that's why I called you the tie-dye queen, because like I know people because I can go do a whole episode about this.
00:34:42.159 --> 00:34:47.760
Like, as the engineer, you most definitely need something to balance you out to relax you.
00:34:48.320 --> 00:34:50.800
It's it can be a very demanding job.
00:34:50.960 --> 00:34:55.039
It can I don't want to say it can be stressful, but it's yes, stressful.
00:34:55.599 --> 00:35:00.480
Yeah, so it would be like to find your hobby, your joy.
00:35:00.639 --> 00:35:03.519
Um in the midst of it, to keep you settled.
00:35:03.679 --> 00:35:05.280
And so I think a lot of people do a lot.
00:35:05.440 --> 00:35:08.880
Like, I know like crocheting is like hot right now.
00:35:10.400 --> 00:35:12.639
And so many different things.
00:35:12.880 --> 00:35:16.960
When when I started seeing you doing tie-dye, I was like, go go head now.
00:35:17.920 --> 00:35:21.920
Like that is something cool that most people don't think about.
00:35:22.079 --> 00:35:24.320
Look, let me go tie-dye this, right?
00:35:24.400 --> 00:35:29.360
You you may see like a piece of clothing in the store and you like those colors, you like that print, right?
00:35:29.599 --> 00:35:32.320
But you was like, no, I'm about to teach you how to do it.
00:35:32.400 --> 00:35:35.599
So I think that is just dope in itself.
00:35:36.079 --> 00:35:38.239
And what works for you worked for you.
00:35:38.800 --> 00:35:40.320
Uh I don't know.
00:35:40.400 --> 00:35:42.320
I can't even remember my hobby.
00:35:46.639 --> 00:35:49.599
It used to be dance, like when I was younger.
00:35:50.239 --> 00:35:53.039
I have I had that time to dance in forever.
00:35:53.119 --> 00:35:58.320
But that is one thing I did promise people that I was gonna try to take a dance class this year.
00:35:58.480 --> 00:35:59.119
But good.
00:35:59.599 --> 00:36:01.280
And maybe tie dye with you.
00:36:01.679 --> 00:36:03.440
Oh, tie-dye.
00:36:04.079 --> 00:36:04.719
Let me know.
00:36:04.880 --> 00:36:11.840
I will bring my little kids with me and we can tie-dye, because it's it's I I just I love it, I love sharing it.
00:36:12.559 --> 00:36:18.159
I really just love seeing like people create and then they open up and be like, wow.
00:36:18.239 --> 00:36:32.400
And so because you don't think about yeah, yeah, you're so into like the color adding and all that, but you don't think about like the beauty you're creating, and I just have to talk to position everything right so it can come out like how you need it.
00:36:33.039 --> 00:36:34.639
But always that's and that's the best part.
00:36:34.800 --> 00:36:43.519
It's like a present because no matter what you you do your folds, you can do your geometry and all the things, and but water will be water.
00:36:44.000 --> 00:36:44.639
Oh yeah.
00:36:44.800 --> 00:36:46.320
Oh, I can only bad.
00:36:47.760 --> 00:36:51.840
It's gonna go where it wants to go, but you can guide it.
00:36:52.320 --> 00:36:54.320
It's blending of it all.
00:36:54.400 --> 00:36:59.280
There's like, I mean, it's chemistry, there's geometry because it's so many different things.
00:36:59.519 --> 00:37:04.800
Adding angles to it, you know, determines where, you know, I want to flow this way, I want to flow that way.
00:37:04.960 --> 00:37:12.079
It's just it for me, tie-dye really brings in both my left and right brain together, and I really get to be whole when I tie-dye.
00:37:17.519 --> 00:37:22.639
It's good that you prove that because many people have not gotten there yet.
00:37:22.800 --> 00:37:26.480
Like, I I feel like I'm more balanced now myself.
00:37:26.639 --> 00:37:28.239
Today I tried pottery.
00:37:29.840 --> 00:37:32.400
Because my seven-year-old said, Let's go do it.
00:37:32.559 --> 00:37:36.880
And so I mean, I had to advocate for her because God was like, She's too young.
00:37:37.039 --> 00:37:38.480
I never let him do it this young.
00:37:38.559 --> 00:37:41.360
And I was like, Well, let her show you what she can do.
00:37:41.599 --> 00:37:49.840
Okay, and by the time we were done, he was like, Man, she was really good, like better than like people who are probably twice her age.
00:37:50.960 --> 00:37:54.159
So I tried that today for the first time.
00:37:54.320 --> 00:38:03.519
I mean, I think I had too much fun because I was had pottery clay all over the place by the time I was finished, but it was like in my hair, it's everywhere.
00:38:03.599 --> 00:38:06.480
I was like, That's a good time.
00:38:06.800 --> 00:38:13.280
Crafting that art piece, and I love that you mentioned that because I get a lot of people say, What about that A?
00:38:14.079 --> 00:38:22.079
And you have most definitely served the A with that, because art is very important, and that's what the art instructor was asking me to that.
00:38:22.239 --> 00:38:23.840
Do your daughter love art?
00:38:24.000 --> 00:38:26.079
And for me, I'm like special STEM mom.
00:38:26.639 --> 00:38:31.280
I'm like all the STEM stuff, like, yeah, she likes this and that.
00:38:31.440 --> 00:38:32.880
And I was like, No, she really likes art.
00:38:32.960 --> 00:38:35.920
Like, she has nation at home because she really loves it.
00:38:36.559 --> 00:38:47.199
Um, but the chemistry, like you mentioned, like a lot of times people we think with STEM, yes, we think about art all the all the time with it, but that age alone is very important.
00:38:47.760 --> 00:38:53.199
Um, and it is that that chemistry is a lot of science, a lot of physics that makes that art work.
00:38:53.440 --> 00:38:55.679
So then we talked about that today.
00:38:55.920 --> 00:38:56.880
Yes, yes.
00:38:57.519 --> 00:39:01.199
There's no you can be all the things, there's nothing when you can't.
00:39:01.360 --> 00:39:07.519
So if you like art, if you like STEM, if you want to combine it, if you I mean, there's nothing wrong.
00:39:07.599 --> 00:39:08.639
There's no wrong answer.
00:39:09.199 --> 00:39:13.440
It's not so a lot of lessons out of that, like the creativity piece.
00:39:13.519 --> 00:39:17.280
I love that you're doing your tie-dye, your kids.
00:39:17.519 --> 00:39:18.400
All that is neat.
00:39:18.639 --> 00:39:19.840
There is a lot of kids.
00:39:20.239 --> 00:39:25.599
Okay, let's give applause for the kids because I remember when I first started looking for kids, I couldn't find a kid.
00:39:25.679 --> 00:39:29.840
I was like, Right, right, right, kids had.
00:39:31.599 --> 00:39:35.679
But now I'm starting to see a lot more kids coming online.
00:39:36.400 --> 00:39:38.559
And oh my god, I get joy.
00:39:38.719 --> 00:39:48.000
I get so much joy from it because toys can be more than just picking up, and nothing wrong with dolls or anything like that.
00:39:48.239 --> 00:40:04.239
But I always encourage parents, especially because this generation, it's oh my god, they're so advanced to get those STEM toys, to get those puzzles, those all those things that they can't do a lot of critical thinking and creativity with.
00:40:04.880 --> 00:40:06.079
Because there's so much needed.
00:40:06.159 --> 00:40:10.719
So, like when we left the pottery spot, my daughter was asking for a whole pottery uh plan.
00:40:11.039 --> 00:40:18.880
Okay, definitely not happening, but this is like the small ones, you could buy a small kit, and that's like I don't know.
00:40:19.119 --> 00:40:26.320
I don't know, but I do want to encourage our parents, especially many places, maybe summertime coming.
00:40:27.280 --> 00:40:29.840
And we all are looking for stuff for our kids to do.
00:40:29.920 --> 00:40:36.960
So those stem kits, those are perfect because they would buy you some time for my working parents.
00:40:38.079 --> 00:40:51.039
I've been trying to run my own school, feel like summertime, and then do do many other things, and those hours that you can you know by time with from your kids and join those STEM kits.
00:40:51.119 --> 00:40:51.280
Right.
00:40:51.519 --> 00:40:58.159
Do consider purchasing those and also the ones that connect to your community is most definitely important.
00:40:58.320 --> 00:41:01.119
That representation is most definitely needed.
00:41:01.360 --> 00:41:02.719
So so kudos to that.
00:41:02.880 --> 00:41:12.400
So I did want to touch on all the great things that you are because a lot of times, to be honest, to be transparent, with black women, we are doing such great work, but we forget to highlight ourselves.
00:41:12.639 --> 00:41:14.000
Yes, absolutely.
00:41:14.960 --> 00:41:26.079
And so once this creates space for you to talk about all the great that you do, because you are more than just an engineer, you're such definitely a leader in the community for women, for children.
00:41:26.400 --> 00:41:32.559
You do phenomenal work, and I'm so excited to see what you're going to do on a global level with when.
00:41:32.800 --> 00:41:32.960
Thank you.
00:41:33.280 --> 00:41:33.440
Thank you.
00:41:33.679 --> 00:41:35.519
But you must definitely deserve to be there.
00:41:35.599 --> 00:41:36.719
So I will be back.
00:41:37.519 --> 00:41:42.960
And and always, always, if there's any way I can contribute to help, you know, I'm always here to support.
00:41:43.280 --> 00:41:49.119
So I have to ask you my final question before we're like my my other question.
00:41:49.280 --> 00:41:50.960
Last time I I got tricked up.
00:41:51.039 --> 00:41:53.039
I was like, me, I had to ask it a different way.
00:41:53.440 --> 00:42:02.960
But I was like, we're gonna ask it, but I'm gonna ask you because this is most definitely important for the next generation, to really just kind of inspire them.
00:42:03.519 --> 00:42:12.880
So my question for you would be what should students focus on now if they want to create impact through engineering one day.
00:42:14.800 --> 00:42:21.840
Students should focus on I always just say for me, it's solving a problem.
00:42:22.159 --> 00:42:30.559
It doesn't matter what that problem is, but solving a problem is going to impact someone else and also you.
00:42:30.800 --> 00:42:37.440
Because if you see the problem, somebody else also sees that problem or is having that problem or experiencing that problem.
00:42:37.599 --> 00:42:42.159
And then if you solve that problem, you'd have made an impact on at least one person.
00:42:42.320 --> 00:42:55.199
And who knows how far that goes because that person could then share, oh, so-and-so helped me solve this problem or created this, and now this is so much easier for me, or this saves me so much time, and it continues to grow.
00:42:55.440 --> 00:43:03.599
So your impact could be so exponential, and you may not even realize, but if you just focus on solving a problem, you got that impact.
00:43:04.400 --> 00:43:06.239
I love that perfectly said.
00:43:06.719 --> 00:43:08.639
Just solving a problem.
00:43:10.079 --> 00:43:10.639
Perfect.
00:43:10.880 --> 00:43:12.320
There's nothing more we can add to that.
00:43:12.480 --> 00:43:15.519
So thank you, Ty, for being here today.
00:43:16.719 --> 00:43:17.679
Thank you.
00:43:18.559 --> 00:43:24.239
And what I want people to take from this episode is this engineering is not limited to one lane.
00:43:24.559 --> 00:43:34.079
Tide's journey reminds us that STEM skills can help you lead, serve, solve problems, and create opportunities that impact people far beyond the workplace.
00:43:34.239 --> 00:43:37.119
And for every young person listening, understand this.
00:43:37.280 --> 00:43:39.760
Your purpose can grow through engineering.
00:43:40.000 --> 00:43:42.719
Your title is only part of the story.
00:43:42.880 --> 00:43:44.960
Your impact is what people remember.
00:43:45.199 --> 00:43:51.199
Thank you, Ty, for showing us what it really means to engineer with purpose and lead through service.
00:43:51.280 --> 00:43:57.679
And thank you for listening to Black Girls Do Engineer Podcast, where we build community, confidence, and futures in STEM.
00:43:58.000 --> 00:43:59.599
I'll see you in the next episode.
00:43:59.760 --> 00:44:08.800
To learn more about Black Girls Do Engineer, visit us online at Black Girls Do Engineer.org or email us directly at info at Black Girls Do Engineers.org.
