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On Wednesday 22 March 2023, Erika Mercado, our Altogether graduate engineer, was invited by St Lukes Catholic College to speak with their Year 11 and Year 12 chemistry class. She was asked to share her educational journey, the projects she had worked on, how chemical engineering could benefit society, why she found her career fulfilling, and the advice she had for students interested in pursuing a career in STEM.
Erika began her presentation by discussing her educational journey. She had been passionate about STEM since she was young and chose to pursue a degree in Chemical Engineering. She found the course interesting because it combined math and science with real-world problems that she could help solve. She then talked about the projects she had worked on in her career and how she had contributed to them. She had been involved in a wide range of projects from developing renewable energy technologies to treating recycled water – the students particularly liked her references to an assignment she worked on developing a business case for an abattoir treatment plant….
One of the most interesting projects she had worked on was developing a new technology to treat recycled water. The students were amazed at the projects Erika had already participated in and the impact she had made on the world. She then went on to explain why she found her career so fulfilling. She said that she found it inspiring to create something that could make a real difference to people’s lives. Additionally, she said that she was constantly learning new things and was surprised by the ever-changing nature of the industry.
Finally, Erika gave the students some advice on pursuing a career in STEM. She encouraged them to not be afraid to ask questions and never stop learning. She also encouraged them to be curious and explore different career paths to find what best suited them. At the end of the presentation, the students and teachers thanked Erika for her time and the class was inspired by her story.
They all had a newfound appreciation for the field of engineering and the impact it could have on the world. They had now gained a clearer understanding of the possibilities in pursuing a career in STEM and thanked Erika for her help.
Erika's inspiring story and valuable advice left a lasting impression on the students. Who knows, maybe one day some of them will join us as Altogether engineers and continue to make a positive impact on the world.
