STEM Life by Amanda

STEM Life by Amanda - November 2025 Scholarship Essay

I’ve always been drawn to understanding how things work, like how computers are able to look up and store data. I’ve participated in Girls in Engineering (GEA), which helped me discover a passion for computer engineering. I’m especially interested in software coding, even though it challenged me early on. I remember struggling with the details in my first coding class I took in middle school, but I also remember the feeling of finally getting it right. With the help of my teacher, I was able to not only understand the course, but thrive in it. Math hasn’t always come easily either, but I’ve learned that effort, not natural talent, is what defines success. Along with putting in hard work, my skills in math and coding have become much stronger over the years, increasing my desire to find a path in the STEM field. Being able to use technology in my classes has helped me understand what I strive to do. Along with this, technology opens your mind to new experiences and ideas that you weren’t aware of. Had I not been able to take a coding class in school, I don’t think I would’ve been as interested in going down the engineering route. Technology is something that every student should have access to, as it allows innovation and creativity to grow in their minds.