For Claire C., being a New Face of Tech has boosted her confidence and provided motivation to keep working hard. She’s working towards a mathematics and computer science degree at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, California. But, her ultimate goal is to educate and inspire others. “I’d love to become a computer science professor and encourage students to explore different subjects and career paths,” she says.

What does being the New Face of Tech mean to you?

It means a lot to be selected with other high-achieving students and it inspires me to keep learning and working hard.

Women are underrepresented in STEAM. How can we change this?

We can encourage students to not give up even if they have struggles or face imposter syndrome. There have been studies showing that men are more likely to apply to jobs for which they don’t meet all the requirements than women — even if they have the same skillset.

What are some of the challenges you have faced along the way?

My main challenge has been staying motivated — especially while we’re quarantined — and staying inspired by rather than discouraged by all the talented individuals I encounter in college and online.

How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals?

For the most part, you have to take it one step at a time. It’s always good to dream big, but you also need to celebrate small steps along the way or you’ll have trouble seeing your progress.

How will funding from the 1,000 Dreams Fund and HARMAN help you reach your goals?

The funding will help with college tuition, so that I can keep learning new things and talking to students and professors that will help me realize my dreams.