Maite C.

I graduated from Colegio Menor San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador with various accomplishments during high school. One of my proudest achievements was graduating with the second-highest GPA in my class, earning an impressive 98.8%. However, for me, high school wasn’t just about grades—it was about learning, pursuing my passions, and doing what I enjoyed. Since discovering my passion for chemical engineering, I dedicated my free time to exploring different industries to gain a deeper understanding of the field. I had the opportunity to shadow a chemical engineer who introduced me to various processes and solidified my love for the profession. This experience showed me the versatility of chemical engineering, offering career paths in pharmaceutical industries, petroleum, and even sustainable sectors. In addition to academics, I actively participated in extracurricular activities. I enjoy outdoor sports such as hiking, roller skating, and going to the gym. One of my most meaningful experiences was serving as the President of the National Honor Society (NHS), a community service organization. Through NHS, I led projects like renovating and painting schools, teaching English, and organizing dance therapy sessions for under-resourced Ecuadorian communities. This is the extracurricular activity that most fulfilled me, I realized that helping people is my purpose in live, not everything is about money and studies, but realizing that we are also humans.

From a young age, I have always been passionate about researching and creating things. I dreamed of becoming a scientist, but with so many different fields of science, I knew I had to narrow my focus. This journey began in 10th grade when I took my first chemistry class. Experiments like titration, elephant toothpaste, and hydrochloric acid reactions lit up my curiosity and made me realize that chemistry had to be a part of my future. As I explored further, I discovered that working exclusively in laboratories wasn’t exactly what I wanted to dedicate my life to. That realization came when I was introduced to the industrial side of chemistry. I learned that chemical engineering isn’t just about chemistry, it’s about scaling up processes from the microscale of laboratories to the macroscale of industries. That broader scope, involving innovation and practical applications, made me certain that chemical engineering was the perfect fit for my future. During my undergraduate studies, I hope to expand my knowledge of chemical engineering principles, particularly in the fields of energy systems, sustainable practices, and industrial processes. One of the specific areas I intend to investigate is the integration of sustainability into conventional petroleum industries. While petroleum is an important part of chemical engineering, I want to focus on finding ways to make its usage more effective and environmentally friendly, thereby lowering greenhouse gas emissions and guaranteeing its economic significance in a world that is increasingly shifting to renewable energy. Finally, my undergraduate experience is about more than simply acquiring knowledge. I wish to develop the skills, creativity, and global perspective required to make a meaningful contribution to addressing the world's energy and sustainability concerns. By combining my enthusiasm for chemical engineering with creative and practical solutions, I hope to contribute to a more sustainable future.

I plan to begin my professional journey immediately after graduating by entering the industry. As mentioned before, I’m particularly interested in sustainability and renewable energy industries. However, since I’m still in my first year, I haven’t fully decided on a specific area to focus on. This is one of the things I love most about chemical engineering, it offers incredible flexibility. If I find that the petroleum industry isn’t the right fit for me, I have the opportunity to explore other sectors, such as the pharmaceutical industry or sustainable technologies. After gaining some experience in the industry, my goal is to pursue a master’s degree or further studies that align with the field I’m working in. I am eager to immerse myself fully in the industry, contributing to its growth and innovation while continuing to learn and develop my skills. By gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities within my field, I hope to make a significant and lasting impact. My ultimate goal is to actively contribute to addressing global challenges and advancing the chemical engineering profession in meaningful ways.

I appreciate the opportunity this scholarship has given me and my family’s support in following my dreams. I'll always thank my parents for teaching me that the right path in life is the one that brings happiness, which is chemical engineering.