As a senior studying microbiology and immunology at Montana State University, Sydney T. is already thinking ahead to post-graduation in May 2022 when she’ll be starting her Medical Library Scientist (MLS) internship. The internship takes a year to complete, after which she will become a certified lab technician! It’s all part of her professional dream to be a WHO lab technician in the future!

This New Face of Tech knows that strong women stand up for themselves, but even stronger women stand up for everyone else — and that is just one of the things that inspires her!

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

It means that I am a leader in my field and that I can use my voice to help other women in STEAM pursue their careers and know that they are not alone.

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

I will change this by putting a face to STEAM. It is easier to go into a field when there are others around who are similar to you. If we can have more women showing up in STEAM, then others will join us and together we can expand our impact.

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

I have faced people doubting and not helping me understand information. I am not naturally gifted when it comes to learning; I have to work hard at it. I have come across people who have chosen to not help me understand topics — and it has made me doubt myself. I have since been able to find others who are willing to help me learn. But as a young student in the field, it made me upset.

How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals?

I have a lot of people who look up to me — especially my younger cousins — which motivates me to keep going, even when I feel I can’t.

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

This will help me reach my goal by allowing me to focus on my schooling instead of worrying about the financial burden I may accumulate while pursuing my education and dreams.