Vanessa Martin ‘22, an electrical engineering major, started her career as an enlisted aviator in the United States Air Force where she worked on the E-8 JSTARS as a communications systems technician. She says her service exposed her to technical and electrical applications. “I learned to appreciate power and analog systems,” Martin says. “When I became an instructor, my favorite area to teach was power.” Five years ago, she left the Air Force to continue her education, when she decided to pursue a career in electrical engineering. She was featured in this video by Million Women Mentors CT Chapter in honor of National Engineers Week and Black History Month where she spoke about her experience in the military and why she chose the engineering field.
Vanessa Martin ’22, electrical engineeringI chose to attend the University of Hartford because of its convenient location and variety of programs and opportunities for students. I could truly see myself studying here.
Along with how much UHart had to offer, Martin was very much impressed by the faculty on campus. She made a strong connection with Associate Professor Ying Yu and says she is her “professional idol.” “Dr. Yu emulates professionalism and excellence. She has been an amazing support as my academic advisor,” Martin says. “She is the reason why I look forward to a career in electrical engineering and feel confident that I can excel as a woman of color and a woman in STEM.”
In 2019, Martin landed an internship at Collins Aerospace as a project engineering intern in supplier designed equipment. “I had the opportunity to learn and manage the design testing and implementation of electro-mechanical interface devices,” Martin says. She managed seven projects with four suppliers through this role. After completing the internship, she was hired subsequently as an electrical design and software intern at Collins Aerospace around the time the company transitioned to Raytheon Technologies. Martin worked for the electrical design team in intelligence surveillance reconnaissance and space solutions. Primarily the mission was to support and design environmental control systems for spacecraft. Martin was responsible for creating two databases. One of which focused on component parameterization and the other on patent compilation and intellectual security.
Martin is considering a few opportunities this summer to gain some more experience in the field. As she continues to build her resume, Martin was recently added to the SWE makerspace design team. Through this opportunity, she will be working with Andrea Kwaczala and Davina Jaiswal to create a safe space for female engineers to connect and bond over building and exploring engineering concepts. Martin is looking forward to this opportunity to satiate her interest in building and network with other women engineers.
When asked what advice she would share to incoming female students or women interested in STEM, Martin says every woman is a mentor and can challenge and encourage one another to bring more women into STEM. “Engineering is no longer a ‘boys club,’” Martin says. “More women are challenging gender norms, blazing trails and welcoming all those who want to follow the same path.”