I Am L3Harris: Ashley

During my second year in high school, I found myself balancing the responsibilities of motherhood and school. I woke up at 6 a.m. each weekday to get my daughter ready before catching the school bus. My parents were in a precarious financial position, already struggling to provide for my two siblings and me, let alone my daughter. Because of our financial situation, I worked after school at a fast-food chain to make ends meet. I returned home late in the evenings and started on homework assignments. I was often burnt out and tired, and my grades suffered as a result. My adviser told me I would be required to repeat the ninth grade…again. The previous year, I was hit with the realities of teenage pregnancy, which led me to fail the ninth grade the first time. I took the news from my adviser hard. The prospect of having to repeat the ninth grade yet again was a difficult pill to swallow. I eventually dropped out of high school to focus on work and providing for my daughter.

An opportunity arose to take the General Educational Development (GED) exam after a three-month prep course offered at the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC). After I obtained my GED, counselors at the LAYC assisted me with enrolling at Prince George's Community College. They also helped me find a full-time administrative assistant job at a small, minority-owned engineering firm. The support I received during this period changed the trajectory of my life.

In my role at the firm, I grew more curious about engineering and everything the field had to offer. The work was fascinating, and the pay was great. A career in engineering could provide the financial stability I desired for my daughter and me, but it seemed so far from my reach. I lacked the advanced mathematical skills needed for engineering because I never completed any math classes beyond algebra in the ninth grade. I felt discouraged, but not defeated. Unlike in high school where I struggled to find the financial means to survive, I now had financial resources like scholarships and grants readily available. But I still hesitated to pursue engineering because of a mental block I created for myself - all stemming from the fear of failing again.

I finally took a risk and started working toward an associate degree in engineering. Truth be told, I struggled with the classes and exams, and had some failures along the way. But this time, I embraced failure as an opportunity to learn from my mistakes and start over stronger and better. Eventually, I obtained my associate's degree in engineering from Prince George's Community College, and then transferred to the University of Maryland College Park (UMDCP) to complete my Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering.

I joined UMDCP's chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and was able to network with L3Harris employees at the SHPE national convention. I landed an interview, and now I'm an engineer working at L3Harris. I am proud to be achieving the life I always sought for my family and myself.