This past week, I attended a female-focused electrical engineering camp at the University of Illinois. Before day 1, I had no experience with the circuits or energy or, really, anything that had to do with electrical engineering. By the end, I learned how to fabricate photovoltaic cells in a class-100 cleanroom, created and wired a circuit using interconnected components and complex logic gate relationships, and explored the applications of nanotechnology by investigating research labs. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy the in-class content, but I also met an incredibly diverse group of people who, despite our common interest in engineering, enabled me to learn about different backgrounds and lifestyles.
Together, my 20 fellow members of the GLEE (Girls Learning Electrical Engineering) camp went through a rigorous course that involved lectures, projects, lab tours, hands-on activities, and work outside of class. I loved interacting with the various professors and students who led sessions and taught different topics. They enriched my experience and provided amazing role models for me to aspire to as I enter the college process and eventually my career.
One of my main takeaways from this camp was the idea that women are underrepresented in STEM, and programs such as GLEE are necessary to encourage and enable them to pursue their interest in the field. My female peers as well as the accomplished role models motivated me to continue my STEM path and I will take the lessons I learned with me in the future. This was an amazing opportunity that I hope many other girls will get the chance to experience.
