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In this episode, I sit down with Kirsten Schulte, a mechanical design engineer who shares her inspiring journey from discovering engineering at a middle school STEM camp to navigating her career in a male-dominated industry. We dive deep into her experience at Florida Polytechnic University, the challenges and rewards of mechanical design work, and the real talk about being a woman in STEM.

Kirsten opens up about her internship experiences, including being told she was "only hired because she was a woman," and how she's learned to prioritize family over career advancement. We discuss the creative side of engineering, from turning customer ideas into 3D models to seeing those designs come to life in manufacturing.

This conversation touches on the struggles many women face in STEM fields—from being the only woman in the classroom to making friends in male-dominated workplaces. But we also explore the strengths that come from these experiences and how they shape us into more compassionate, resilient professionals.

Whether you're considering engineering, currently studying STEM, or navigating your own career path, Kirsten's story offers valuable insights about staying true to your values while building a fulfilling career.

#WomenInSTEM #MechanicalEngineering #FloridaPolytechnic #CareerJourney #WorkLifeBalance

✨ Let’s connect:

Website → https://unlocking-my-potential.com
Instagram → @unlockingmypotentialnt
TikTok → @unlockingmypotentialnt
Discord → https://discord.gg/4FB86UUKwB

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This week on Unlocking My Potential, I’m joined by Alison Hart, whose journey through STEM is a powerful story of growth, resilience, and embracing change.

From her first spark of inspiration in a network closet at age five to her transition from IT and network engineering into software development, Alison shares what it really takes to thrive in tech: overcoming rejection, developing soft skills, handling imposter syndrome, and staying open to new opportunities—even when it means pivoting your career.

If you’ve ever questioned your path, struggled with perfectionism, or wondered whether it’s okay to keep changing directions, this episode is for you. Alison’s story reminds us that the most meaningful growth happens when we step into the unknown.

#UnlockingMyPotential #WomenInSTEM #STEMCareers #CareerGrowth #TechJourney #STEMStories #STEMInspiration #WomenWhoCode #ImposterSyndrome #STEMLeadership #STEMCommunity #CareerPivot

✨ Let’s connect:

Website → https://unlocking-my-potential.com
Instagram → @unlockingmypotentialnt
TikTok → @unlockingmypotentialnt
Discord → https://discord.gg/4FB86UUKwB

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In this episode of Unlocking My Potential, Ashton shares her inspiring journey from pursuing an art degree to finding her calling in STEM.

She opens up about:

• The pivotal moment she realized art was her passion, but not her career
• Transitioning from community college to Florida Polytechnic University
• How project management and networking shaped her career path
• Facing imposter syndrome after graduation and learning to persevere
• Finding balance between creativity, career, and personal growth

Ashton’s story is a reminder that career pivots can lead to unexpected opportunities and that you don’t have to give up your passions to thrive in STEM.

✨ Let’s connect:

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/UnlockingMyPotential

#UnlockingMyPotential #WomenInSTEM #CareerPivots #STEMJourney #ImposterSyndrome #PersonalGrowth #CreativityAndSTEM

✨ Let’s connect:

Website → https://unlocking-my-potential.com
Instagram → @unlockingmypotentialnt
TikTok → @unlockingmypotentialnt
Discord → https://discord.gg/4FB86UUKwB

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From high school dual enrollment to navigating internships, rotational programs, and a career comeback, Sydney Weber’s journey in supply chain has truly come full circle. In this episode of Unlocking My Potential, Sydney shares how she discovered her passion for logistics, the lessons learned from her time at Honeywell, and why stepping away—and returning—was one of the most defining moves of her career.

We dive into her behind-the-scenes experiences in scheduling, order fulfillment, and production planning; her approach to mentoring the next generation; and the practical strategies she uses to set boundaries and avoid burnout. Sydney also opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome in STEM and building a career in a male-dominated field.

Whether you’re a student exploring STEM, a professional in the early stages of your career, or someone ready for your next big pivot, Sydney’s story is packed with actionable advice, encouragement, and real-world insight.

✨ Let’s connect:

Website → https://unlocking-my-potential.com
Instagram → @unlockingmypotentialnt
TikTok → @unlockingmypotentialnt
Discord → https://discord.gg/4FB86UUKwB

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In this episode of Unlocking My Potential, we sit down with Payton Barnwell to hear how she carved her own path through the world of engineering, mission control, and startups—all while learning to trust her instincts and lean into bold moves.

Payton shares

🔹 How she went from being a first-gen college student to working at NASA
🔹 The power of saying “yes” to unexpected opportunities—including internships after graduation
🔹 Her journey from mission control to product management at a startup
🔹 What inspired her to launch Broadside—an AI infrastructure for understanding how government actions reshape the systems Americans live and work in? From new laws to shifting regulations, Broadside connects the dots in plain language so people and organizations can see local impact, uncover opportunity, and act with context. (www.trackthebills.com)
🔹 Honest reflections on career pivots, burnout, and building confidence along the way

This episode is a must-listen for anyone figuring things out as they go, exploring unconventional paths in STEM, or looking for permission to make their next bold move.

✨ Let’s connect:

Website → https://unlocking-my-potential.com
Instagram → @unlockingmypotentialnt
TikTok → @unlockingmypotentialnt
Discord → https://discord.gg/4FB86UUKwB

Send us a text

In this episode of Unlocking My Potential, Skylar Hoover joins us to share her incredible journey through STEM, from studying computer science to finding her true passion in technical communication, trust & safety, and project management.

Skylar opens up about

• Changing majors and blending tech with communication
  
  
• Her roles at Lockheed Martin and Discord
  
  
• The realities of burnout and choosing to take a career break
  
  
• Navigating mental health in high-stress roles
  
  
• The power of trusting your intuition and staying true to yourself
  
  

If you’ve ever questioned your path, felt burnt out, or wondered if it’s okay to pivot—this one is for you. 💬✨

📍Follow, rate & subscribe to catch new episodes every other Monday!

#WomenInSTEM #CareerPivot #TechCommunication #MentalHealthMatters #UnlockingMyPotential

✨ Let’s connect:

Website → https://unlocking-my-potential.com
Instagram → @unlockingmypotentialnt
TikTok → @unlockingmypotentialnt
Discord → https://discord.gg/4FB86UUKwB

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In this episode of Unlocking My Potential, we sit down with Kara Baldwin to explore her powerful and unconventional journey—from working long shifts as a CNA and pursuing nursing to becoming a mechanical engineer and now stepping into a new chapter as a high school STEM teacher.

Kara shares:

• Why she left nursing to pursue engineering
  
  
• Her experience at Florida Polytechnic University, including student government and robotics
  
  
• The reality of imposter syndrome and being a woman in STEM
  
  
• Working at a biotech startup focused on inclusive medical devices
  
  
• Her passion for teaching and inspiring the next generation of engineers
  
  

This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating change, searching for purpose, or just needing a reminder that your path doesn’t have to be linear to be powerful.

#WomenInSTEM #EngineeringJourney #CareerPivot #STEMEducation #UnlockingMyPotential

✨ Let’s connect:

Website → https://unlocking-my-potential.com
Instagram → @unlockingmypotentialnt
TikTok → @unlockingmypotentialnt
Discord → https://discord.gg/4FB86UUKwB

Send us a text

I’m sharing why I started this podcast and what you can expect—real stories from women with STEM backgrounds, their pivots, challenges, and wins. New episodes drop every other Monday!

✨ Let’s connect:

Website → https://unlocking-my-potential.com
Instagram → @unlockingmypotentialnt
TikTok → @unlockingmypotentialnt
Discord → https://discord.gg/4FB86UUKwB