Lisa Mack is a regional coordinator for the MyCom youth development initiative of Greater Cleveland. Her love for math, science and problem-solving led her to pursue a degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University. She believes that STEM is a doorway for exploration and a vehicle to problem-solving and creativity in any field.
“Pursue those things that interest you.”
Did you have a mentor?
I had a youth director actually in at my church who was an engineer. It was unusual to have a black engineer even when I started school. Very few black engineering students, especially female, but he was definitely a role model and once he saw that I had an interest in math and science he helped direct me into different programs that would help me experience what that field would look like.
What advice do you have for kids exploring the world and discovering what they’re interested in?
Pursue those things that interest you. Math and science were not necessarily my best subjects, but they were ones that I enjoyed. Actually, when it came time to choose a major in college, I tried to decide between engineering and music. Engineering won out just because of the practicality of it.
Go with what you’re passionate about, what really interests you, and it should carry you a long way.
What does STEM mean to you?
Well STEM to me is a doorway, a doorway that can be opened to explore the inner workings of a lot of things, a way to build, a way to learn using the science and the technology and engineering and math as as a vehicle to to get to whatever that destination is. I think it’s an opportunity. And t’s just a real great foundational way to explore and to create.
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