In today’s world, it’s crucial to create spaces where girls feel supported and empowered to pursue their passions, especially those related to STEM.
My name is Sejal, and as someone deeply invested in this cause, I’ve had the privilege of organizing and leading efforts to promote gender equality by empowering girls in my community towards STEM. From starting a club at my school to mentoring students in STEM fields, I’ve been fortunate to be part of various initiatives that inspire young girls to break barriers and pursue their ambitions confidently.
One of my most fulfilling efforts has been starting the Society of Women Engineers Next (SWENext) Club at my high school. As president of the club, I wanted to create a space where girls interested in engineering can come together, share experiences, and support each other in pursuing their dreams.
The club focuses on introducing engineering workshops and outreach efforts, providing opportunities for leadership development, and creating a network of supportive women. By creating this platform, I hope to not only foster a love for STEM, but also build a strong community of young women who can lean on each other for inspiration and encouragement.
In addition, I’ve been actively involved in mentoring middle school students through the Science and Engineering Club. Many of these girls are just beginning to explore STEM fields, and I’m passionate about guiding them and sharing my experiences in these competitions that I have been doing and winning at the state level since middle school as they start their journeys. Through one-on-one mentoring and group projects, I help them build confidence in their abilities, encouraging them to approach challenges with a problem-solving mindset.
Additionally, I’ve volunteered at many outreach programs through the nonprofit organization The Forge Initiative. These outreach programs, including Girls in STEM camps, further my commitment to empowering girls in engineering and technology.
On my FRC Team 3459 PyroTech, a high school-level robotics team, I encourage them to collaborate, solve problems together, and take on leadership roles. I make sure that every girl is actively involved in both technical and strategic decisions, fostering a sense of ownership and confidence in their abilities. This past summer, as the lead student mentor for Guinea-Bissau in the FIRST Global competition, I had the opportunity to work with students from another country and provide mentorship in coding, mechanics, and robotics.
These experiences have shown me the incredible potential that girls have when given the chance to explore STEM in inclusive and supportive environments. The more we create opportunities for them to engage with these subjects, the more likely they are to see themselves as future engineers, scientists, and innovators.
As I continue my efforts, I’m reminded that change doesn’t always come overnight. But with persistence, encouragement, and collaboration, we can build a future where every girl has the opportunity to succeed and lead.
Through these experiences, I am not only helping to shape the futures of these girls, but I am also growing and learning alongside them — creating a ripple effect of empowerment.
