Tufts Blogs

Ever wondered how a 175,000-pound plane stays in the air or how humans made it to the moon? As someone in Air Force ROTC, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about those exact questions. Go figure; planes are kind of my thing. Of course, the question neglects the hard work of countless engineers who, as stated in *The Wind Rises* (a movie about planes!), “turn dreams into reality.” Being a Cognitive and Brain Science and Music, Sound, and Culture double major, I never really considered the complexities of flight; I just boarded a plane and assumed everyone knew enough about what was going on to avoid crashing. In an attempt to better understand the machines I will be working with (or maybe even flying!), I decided to attend an event SOLES was hosting.

The Society of Latinx Engineers & Scientists (SOLES) is a professional group of self-identifying Latinx students with a curiosity to learn about various topics. For this event, (The!!!) GE Aerospace sent three of their Latinx engineers to talk to us about careers in the aerospace industry. While Tufts University does not have an aerospace engineering major, there are still many ways to get involved in the industry. By exposing us to various internship opportunities and a “day-in-the-life" tour, I got a more realistic sense of what building a plane’s engine entails. It was awesome to hear about the engineers’ experiences, especially considering all three were Latinx, two were women, and one was a retired Navy midshipman. This mix personally resonated with me, and I began to see myself in them, working on huge engines that would be the heart of a plane someday. They all emphasized the importance of diversity, highlighting how it fosters innovation and cohesion in a group.

Most importantly, I learned that being an engineer or scientist isn’t just a major or a career; it’s a lifestyle. The ability to solve problems efficiently and creatively is a skill that all engineers must possess. Likewise, all humans have this skill within themselves—it’s just a matter of training that “muscle,” always thinking analytically and critically. SOLES has taught me that everyone, regardless of background, identity, or aspirations, can be an engineer or a scientist. It’s great to have a community of like-minded people from similar backgrounds to collaborate with. When given the opportunity, Latinx people can produce just as many novel ideas as anyone else. We are just as capable of designing and testing planes and, in my case, flying and working with them. Many people can have dreams, but it is our job to take those dreams and turn them into reality. To any engineers and scientists out there, know that you’ll always have a place in this world—especially at Tufts University—and never (ever) forget to “Aim High."