Strengths: One of the key strengths I developed during childhood, partly thanks to the education and values instilled at home, is discipline. I grew up with the belief that anything can be learned if enough dedication and effort are invested in it. This mindset has been fundamental to my success, helping me develop determination, resilience, and a strong sense of purpose.
Weaknesses: Balancing my studies with employment and a long daily commute was a significant challenge. For an extended period, I had to sacrifice sleep in order to meet my commitments, which inevitably affected my energy levels, well-being, and ability to maintain focus.
Opportunities: My education provided me with many opportunities, including the chance to build a life in a new country, establish a successful career, develop a professional network, and create a family. It opened doors both personally and professionally, allowing me to grow and achieve goals that might otherwise have seemed out of reach.
Threats: Time constraints and lack of sleep were constant challenges throughout my studies. In addition, the theoretical nature of academic learning occasionally clashed with the practical realities of professional practice. This sometimes led me to adopt an overly critical perspective when theoretical concepts did not align with workplace experiences.

To try it out! To get informed about various possibilities, make internships, follow webinars, courses, talk to people!

Engineering is an incredibly broad field that encompasses a wide range of disciplines and opportunities. Let your curiosity be the driving force behind your journey, as technology and knowledge are constantly evolving, requiring continuous learning and professional development.
This advice extends beyond engineering. Success is not necessarily about working harder than everyone else, but about working consistently, with discipline and perseverance. Maintaining a commitment to steady progress and lifelong learning is, in my experience, the key to achieving your goals

By 2030, I would like Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice (DEIS) to be fully embedded in the culture of engineering and academia, rather than being viewed as a separate initiative or a box-ticking exercise. Success would mean that diversity is reflected at every career stage—from students and early-career researchers to senior leadership—and that everyone has equitable access to opportunities, resources, and career progression.

I also hope to see more inclusive research environments where different perspectives are actively valued, leading to more innovative and impactful solutions to global challenges. Flexible working practices, transparent recruitment and promotion processes, effective mentoring, and accountability for DEIS outcomes should become the norm rather than the exception.

Ultimately, I would like future generations to enter the sector without feeling limited by their gender, ethnicity, disability, socioeconomic background, or any other aspect of their identity. The focus should be on talent, potential, and contribution, in an environment where everyone feels respected, supported, and empowered to succeed.

During my studies, one of my strengths was determination and a strong interest in engineering and technology. My main weakness was balancing academic responsibilities with personal commitments. The opportunities included gaining professional knowledge, participating in practical projects, and developing problem-solving skills. The challenges were adapting to rapidly changing technologies and continuously developing professional competencies. These experiences helped me grow both professionally and personally.

Do not be afraid to choose STEM fields and pursue your ambitions with confidence. Believe in your abilities, stay curious, and never stop learning. Engineering, technology, and science need diverse perspectives, creativity, and innovative thinking. Challenges will always exist, but determination, hard work, and self-confidence will help you overcome them and achieve your goals. Remember that your ideas, knowledge, and contributions can make a meaningful difference in society and inspire future generations.

Do not be afraid to choose STEM fields and pursue your ambitions with confidence. Believe in your abilities, stay curious, and never stop learning. Engineering, technology, and science need diverse perspectives, creativity, and innovative thinking. Challenges will always exist, but determination, hard work, and self-confidence will help you overcome them and achieve your goals. Remember that your ideas, knowledge, and contributions can make a meaningful difference in society and inspire future generations.

By 2030, I would like to see a more inclusive, equitable, and accessible educational environment where everyone has equal opportunities to learn and develop professionally, regardless of gender, background, or individual circumstances. I hope to see greater participation of girls and women in STEM fields, wider adoption of inclusive educational practices, and stronger integration of sustainability principles and digital technologies in education. These changes will help create a more innovative, diverse, and resilient society.

During my studies, one of my biggest challenges was dealing with self‑doubt and being made to feel I was not good enough, often linked to being a woman in STEM. Following a non‑traditional path (doing a part‑time PhD while working full‑time, after time in industry) and not fitting the ‘expected’ academic trajectory meant I was repeatedly required to prove my worth and fight stereotypes, while living in another country and away from my main support network. At the same time, I faced periods of job insecurity and delayed building a family until I felt more stable and established in my field. These challenges were difficult, but they also strengthened my resilience and now drive my commitment to making academic careers more inclusive and supportive for others.

My advice to girls and women who want to study in my sector is: your curiosity and motivation are enough reason to be here, even if you do not fit the stereotype. Seek out mentors, peers and communities that support you, and remember there is no single ‘right’ path into robotics, AI or computer science. Your perspective as a woman is not a weakness but a strength the field needs to create more inclusive technologies.

My advice to girls and women who want to work in this sector is to back your skills and keep learning, even when others underestimate you. Look for workplaces, teams and leaders whose values align with yours and where you feel respected, and do not be afraid to change environments that hold you back. Build and nurture your network (mentors, collaborators and peers) and remember that your lived experience and ideas are exactly what we need to create robotics and AI that work for everyone.

I would like DEIS in robotics and AI to move from isolated initiatives to being built into how we design technologies, build teams and measure success. By 2030, I want diverse voices, including women and other under‑represented groups, to be genuinely represented and empowered at every level of the sector, from students to leadership, so that our systems are fair, trustworthy and sustainable for the people and communities they serve.

One of my biggest challenges during my studies was balancing everything at once. My parents didn’t have the financial means – and honestly, they neither wanted me to study. But for me, pursuing higher education was deeply important; it was my way of shaping my own path and independence. Managing studies, work, and a healthy work-life balance at the same time was definitely the hardest part.

Use your brain to think analytically, your heart to empathize and connect, your hands to create and achieve – and your persistence to keep going when things get tough.

Technology can empower women by giving them access to knowledge, networks, and opportunities that transcend traditional barriers. It allows women to learn, work, and lead from anywhere, often creating new paths where none existed before. When women gain digital skills, they not only strengthen their own voices but also shape the technologies that influence our societies. True empowerment comes when women are not just users of technology – but its creators, innovators, and decision-makers.

Use your brain to think analytically, your heart to empathize and connect, your hands to create and achieve – and your persistence to keep going when things get tough.

By 2030, I would like to see diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability fully embedded – not as add-ons, but as natural foundations of every decision in the tech and education sector. This means equal representation of women and underrepresented groups in all levels of technology and academia, from classrooms to leadership. It also means valuing different life paths, cultural backgrounds, and ways of learning as assets rather than exceptions. In terms of sustainability, I hope digital education becomes both environmentally conscious and socially responsible – empowering people, not replacing them.