From Passion to Purpose: Black Woman Engineer's STEM Journey | NSBE 2025 - Episode 10

Описание: 🔗 CONNECT WITH RIGHTNOWLEADERS:
Instagram: / eiegjourney
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🎥 PRODUCTION:
Shoutout to The Kre8tive Lounge for the amazing production work!
Instagram:   / thekre8tivelounge  

Jaia Ruffin is breaking barriers as a Water Resource Engineer and showing us what's possible when you stay curious and authentic. From recycling bins in Cleveland to leading the Rochester NSBE chapter, her story is proof that your passion can become your career. 🌱💧

In this Real conversation at the NSBE Region 1 Conference, Jaya gets real about:

✨ Finding environmental engineering when she didn't even know it existed
✨ Being the only one who looks like you in the room (and thriving anyway)
✨ Showing up authentic with braids, afros, and all
✨ How a middle school trip to the Bahamas changed everything
✨ Navigating PWIs and building community through NSBE
✨ The real impact of recent DEI rollbacks on STEM students
✨ Why asking questions and staying curious will take you further than playing it safe

Whether you're trying to figure out your major, questioning if you belong in STEM, or just need to see someone who looks like you winning, this one's for you.

TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Meet Jaya: Environmental Engineer & NSBE Leader
0:45 - The Ruffin Family Connection (David Ruffin!)
1:15 - What Sparked Her Environmental Passion
2:30 - The Bahamas Experience That Changed Everything
3:20 - Discovering Environmental Engineering in High School
4:10 - Being the Only One: Navigating PWIs
5:25 - Showing Up Authentic: Hair, Identity & The Crown Act
6:40 - How NSBE Became Her Community
7:30 - Her Brother's Cornell Success Story
8:45 - Advice for Students: Stay Curious & Ask Questions
10:15 - Real Talk: How Policy Changes Are Impacting STEM
12:00 - The Power of Resilience & Community

ABOUT JAYA
🎓 BS Environmental Engineering - Clarkson University
💼 Water Resource Engineer at Arcadis
👑 President, Rochester NSBE Professional Chapter
🌍 Passionate about sustainability, environmental justice & representation