‍_{Opportunity Next Colorado is designed to meet learners where they are and provide the resources and support needed to navigate education after high school. Check out this blog,  featuring our spotlight learner Vashti Trujillo, and discover her unique journey of pursuing a career in STEM as a woman of color and first-generation college student in Colorado.}‍

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Filling out a college application is extremely daunting. For me, it got to the point where I waited until the last week possible to submit my applications due to fear. And honestly, after completing my applications, I felt a bit numb. The questions on the application felt so vague and empty, like I was just a statistic and not a human of value. I felt constrained to a box and based on that box, it felt like they - the school -  already thought they knew who I was. It felt like I was meant to prove that “I was something” in a 500-word limited paragraph in response to prompts like: Who are you?  and Why do you want to study_____?  I always thought that the last question was unfair to so many who didn't grow up with a family or community that was able to show them all that they could be.

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When I was younger, I thought I was never going to go to college or even have a passion. But that all changed over time, and more specifically, in high school when I discovered STEM.

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In the vast landscape of Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM), my journey is as a woman of color and a first-generation college student who is from a low-income background; these are boxes I had to check in my applications. But beyond those boxes, my story has been defined by resilience, passion, and a commitment to achieve what many with my background could not do.

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Growing up, the fields where my family toiled and the stories of our forgotten tribe were stark reminders of the challenges we as a community have and continue to face. My father's journey from being a field laborer to a man striving for education after incarceration taught me the power of perseverance. His unwavering determination to provide for our family, despite the odds, instilled in me a drive to succeed against all odds. 

Saul, my brother with Down Syndrome and Autism, is a constant inspiration. Witnessing his development and transformation by way of technology fueled my passion for engineering. It was a simple tablet that enabled him to communicate with his friends and family which had such a profound impact on my aspirations in STEM. However, due to my lack of access to educational support, I was unsure of how to pursue this aspiration. Or whether I was able to pursue it at all. 

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One pivotal moment for me was my introduction to the Early College Program where I was able to take college courses at my local community college for free during high school. This changed the trajectory of my life. 

It introduced me to programs that were sponsored by NASA and allowed me to meet other powerful women in STEM, which helped me understand my abilities and helped me see who I could be.

The most powerful moments that made me truly feel like I belonged in STEM were the Friday afternoons that I spent in the STEM center at school. In this center, I experienced for the first time what it was like to hold a soldering iron, which I had previously thought was something out of the Sci-Fi movies I watched growing up. We soldered, programmed, and worked together in the STEM center on projects that I could not imagine being able to do when I was younger. 

Being in that space and around those people gave me so much confidence and hope in who I could become. I am grateful for the opportunity to have had such a hands-on experience every day.

Based on my experience, I strive to give back to my community and be the change that will inspire someone else to dream big. From STEM outreach to advocating for resources for minority students, volunteering became second nature for me. My journey, like many others, is a testament to the struggles faced by women of color in STEM. Each accomplishment, from soldering my first motherboard to an award from NASA for perseverance, is a step forward in a landscape where representation is crucial. As I continue, I am driven by the belief that exposure to opportunities can transform lives, and I am committed to breaking barriers for the next generation.

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My journey was not without its challenges. As a woman in STEM with my degree on the horizon, I’ve already encountered obstacles and biases navigating a landscape where diversity is still a rarity. Being the first in my family to pursue higher education, the weight of expectations felt immense. Add to that the financial constraints of coming from a low-income background, and the path seemed daunting. I realize now that I will never truly beat these societal challenges, but I will grow stronger every day. Someday, I won’t be defined by the checkboxes of a college application, but by who I am and what I have done.

In every challenge, I see a pathway of possibility—a future where STEM is diverse, inclusive, and accessible to all.

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Interested in exploring a STEM career in Engineering & Technology, Computer & Information Sciences, or an undiscovered pathway? Uncover your future with our Career Pathfinder tool!

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