As a black woman studying mechanical engineering, I am one of the most underrepresented demographics in this field. When people ask, “What’s it like to be a woman of color in engineering?” I never quite know how to respond. Maybe it’s because I’ve been black my entire life and I’ve always felt and looked physically different from everyone else. Or maybe, it is because I cannot answer this question in a way that completely encapsulates my experience.
Imposter Syndrome at a PWI
One of the most challenging aspects of being a Black woman in mechanical engineering is grappling with imposter syndrome. For those unfamiliar, imposter syndrome is the internal feeling of being out of place, as though you’re pretending to belong in spaces where you may not feel fully accepted. This is something many students of color face, especially when attending a predominantly white institution (PWI). While universities often showcase statistics of increased enrollment of women and minorities, those numbers don’t always translate into daily experiences. There have been many times when I’ve been the only Black student in my classes or meetings. If you’ve ever been in a similar situation, you understand the unspoken expectation that you’re somehow the “representative black person” for everyone else.
Finding Community
Despite these uncomfortable realities, I’ve learned something important: we are not as alone as we think. During my freshman year, I joined the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), an organization with the mission of “increasing the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community”–Would you believe me when I say I typed that from memory?– Through NSBE, I found a vibrant community of Black engineers at USC who persevere through the same struggles that I face. Having grown up in a predominantly white town, it has been refreshing to talk to people who can relate to you and your culture. Additionally, NSBE is about lifting each other up by sharing news about networking opportunities and keeping everyone informed about different events. Despite how demanding school can be, I always make time for NSBE meetings because it’s a space where I feel understood.
I’m proud to be a woman of color in engineering and I hope to see more students of minority represented and thriving in this field.