How two sisters found their second home at Grainger Engineering

Growing up, did you have a natural curiosity of the world around you? Did you spend a lot of time outdoors studying nature or building things for fun?

Ximena: We were always doing some sort of arts and crafts activity. My dad is an artist, and he often modeled this for us as well. I loved being outdoors and definitely loved building things. Kamila and I spent hours in our backyard where we sometimes played “kitchen” with the mud and berries we found. During winter, we built igloos and snowmen! 

Kamila: Also, for some reason, we enjoyed playing with candles and melting wax to build mini volcanoes. This was really fun, but it always made our mom nervous, so we usually played with our blocks to make castles and cities. Xime and I also enjoyed making obstacle courses and used whatever we could to create them in the house and race. We even made a little maze for our guinea pig at the time.

How did your family foster your childhood interests, setting you on the path to engineering?

Ximena: We come from a very large family. Although I only have one sister, we grew up with 20 first cousins, all living in Blue Island, IL. They were all older than us, and Kamila and I grew up watching them graduate from high school and college. Both of our parents graduated from college and always emphasized the importance of education. I always loved school; even when I was in Pre-K, I anxiously waited for the bus at the door. My parents did a great job of making learning fun and hands on, encouraging us to explore and be creative. Math was always a subject I enjoyed, but I absolutely loved science, especially when we got to do any sort of experiment. 
 
My parents were always looking for things for us to do, and one memory that sticks out is the time we entered a cardboard boat race. 

Kamila: Our childhood town had a competition where you would build a cardboard boat and race. Ximena and I made a team with our friends and my dad was our “captain.”  I remember this was really cool because I got to cut huge pieces of cardboard and use a lot of duct tape to put the boat together. It was even more impressive at the time because I rowed during the competition. I ended up falling into the water, but it was a fun experience. My dad helped me learn how to strategize, and this was one of the first times I felt a high level of responsibility in a project. 

Ximena: And we actually won! These experiences around learning, working hands on and problem solving eventually led me to find engineering. 

Kamila: Another time I received support from my parents was in high school. At my school I could sign up for electives, and I decided to take woodworking. This was an intimidating experience because I was one of the youngest students in the class, and there was only one other girl. I immediately wanted to drop the class, but my parents pushed me to stay and try it for a week. I’m glad that they didn’t let me quit so easily because I ended up being one of the woodworking assistants since I understood the concepts well.

In engineering I often feel inexperienced as I’m introduced to very technical classes. My woodworking experience taught me how to adapt and do well in topics I had never heard of before.

When did you realize that you wanted to pursue an engineering career? How did your decision lead you to The Grainger College of Engineering?

Ximena: Before high school, I didn’t even know what engineering was. I was fortunate to take elective classes in band, ceramics and computer-aided design (CAD). During my two years taking CAD, my teacher showed me a flyer for the “Introduce a Girl to Engineering” event, hosted by the Society of Women Engineers at Illinois. That was my first introduction to engineering, and I was hooked. From there, I applied to the Girls Who Code program and completed it the summer before my senior year. Not only did this program introduce me to computer science, but it showed me that engineering was a path I could consider. Since I had just learned about it, I wasn’t sure what specific major in engineering I wanted, which is why Illinois was a top choice for me. A lot of schools don’t offer an engineering undeclared program, and I valued that coming to U of I because I had a year to explore my options before making my decision.  

Kamila: I realized I wanted to transfer into engineering during the winter break of freshman year. Beforehand, I never considered I’d be here. I never thought I was a “math” person. It didn’t come naturally, and it always took me a lot of work in the past to do as well as other students, so I steered away from engineering.

During my senior year of high school, I was interested in environmental science because I’d always wanted a job that protects the environment. During my first year at college, I took a natural resources and environmental science class where I was formally introduced to renewable energy. I had heard about it, but this class really sparked my interest in the field and from there I have aimed to get a job that focuses on renewable energy. With research, I saw that Environmental Engineering could offer a path to renewable energy. Initially, I fought this idea because I didn’t think I had what it took to transfer into Grainger Engineering. However, I received a lot of support from family, friends and from my Registered Student Organization, SHPE.

Ximena, tell me a little why Mechanical Engineering was the right fit for you. As someone who is graduating soon, what are your plans for post-college life?

Ximena: Outside of my high school CAD class and a few computer science programs, I didn’t know what options there were for me in engineering, so I wanted time to explore, which is why I chose Engineering Undeclared. I decided to start with an intro to computer science class since I was familiar with that, as well as an intro to mechanical engineering class. Ultimately, I chose Mechanical Engineering because I loved the hands-on design sequence and broad curriculum. I loved that it would allow me to explore different topics through electives and would give me a lot of career path opportunities, since I still wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do after graduation at the time. Now that I’m graduating, I have decided to join Boeing in Southern California in their Engineering Career Foundation Program. This is a two-year rotational program where I will get to do four, six-month rotations, allowing me to explore even more. 

Kamila, share with me why Civil and Environmental Engineering is where you see yourself. What are your post-college plans?

You’re each involved with RSOs and programs, like SHPE, MEP and more-how have these groups helped you find a sense of community at Illinois? How have they shaped your college experience, and why is it important for prospective students to know that they exist?

Ximena: I truly believe that I owe so much of my college experience to SHPE and MEP. It is so important for prospective students to know that they exist, so that they know that they are not alone; there is a community waiting for them at U of I.

For me, SHPE is my familia on campus, a supportive community that has been there for me these past four years, and I don’t know where I would be without joining them. Coming from a predominantly white high school and attending a predominately white institution, SHPE helps me connect with my culture and reminds me that I am not alone. I owe a lot of my academic and professional success to the advice from upperclassmen and the opportunities provided from this RSO. I have met so many of my good friends through SHPE and made so many unforgettable memories. I currently serve as the Internal Vice President, in charge of making sure new members feel heard and learn how to get involved in our organization. Outside of SHPE, I have also worked closely with MEP since my freshman year. They have helped me so much from one-on-one meetings when I need guidance, to letters of recommendations for scholarships. I even got the opportunity to study abroad in Jamaica this past spring break with MEP! All in all, SHPE and MEP have greatly impacted my college experience and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Kamila: I can easily say that SHPE has had the biggest impact on me. When I was still in high school, I visited Xime during spring break, and SHPE welcomed me. I saw how my college social life could look. Then when I officially joined SHPE as a freshman, I created my second family. I met my closest friends there, and I have constantly been inspired by the students in this RSO. These people are selfless and truly want to help others succeed. They also gave me the opportunity to be with other students that looked like me and faced similar challenges, helping me stay connected with my culture and have that familia aspect that I lacked in high school. It is very important that prospective students know about SHPE because many might be scared that they won’t find their community, but SHPE is a testimony that you can find a home away from home.

Recently, I joined MEP where I’ve learned a lot about leadership. It has been great to work with other passionate minorities outside of SHPE because we all want to help incoming minority engineering students. Prospective students should know about MEP because this organization is here as a resource for freshman to succeed and feel confident about their academic future.

Also, I was in the Illinois Solar Decathlon on the build team where we compete with other colleges to build a sustainable home. This RSO is super unique because it provides a lot of technical skills in the sustainability field. I learned so much about renewable energy and how the field is constantly innovating. I really enjoyed my time with ISD because my passion for renewable energy grew here, and the RSO has an honorable goal of creating a sustainable home that they gift to a family in need.

What has it been like attending college at the same time for the past two years? Do you have a favorite memory of doing something together while on campus?

Ximena: It has been so awesome! I am grateful for these two years, being able to experience this time of our lives together. We are also roommates this year, which has been really nice because even when we both get busy, there’s always the apartment. I have really enjoyed my experience at U of I, and it’s even better now that I’ve gotten to share the experience with my Kamila! If I had to pick favorite memories of doing something together while on campus it would have to be our weekly sister dinners or whenever we get to slackline outside - doing the everyday things together and just being on campus at the same is the best. 

Kamila: During freshman year it was reassuring having Ximena here because I often got homesick. She has always looked out for me, and she gave me so much advice when I was transitioning into college. However, this year I’ve seen Ximena much more, probably because we are roommates.

We were always close, and I’ve enjoyed getting to grow up together and still be in each other’s lives despite our busy schedules.

Having her constant presence has been my favorite part of being in college together. It isn’t just our dinners that I look forward to; I also really enjoy having her as a roommate because of the small moments like when she’s blasting music and a song that we both love comes on. Or when we make our daily fruit smoothie in the morning, but Ximena adds another ingredient to experiment with the taste. Or recently, we have been watching Love is Blind and we dissect the relationships between the couples. Just knowing she’s on campus with me is my favorite memory.

Ximena, do you have any advice for your sister as she reaches the halfway point of her undergraduate studies? 

Ximena: First, I would start by saying how proud I am of her. I know the journey into engineering hasn’t been easy, and I have seen how hard she has worked to get to where she is today. I hope she never forgets that and is proud of herself! I hope she continues how she has been and isn’t scared of asking for help when it’s needed. I also don’t want her to compare her journey with anyone else’s, and this is true for anyone pursuing engineering because everyone has their own path to follow. Overall, I am proud of my sister, and I know that she has what it takes to succeed!