In our second Q&A interview, we interview Ambassador, Dellavinta Muliady, about her experiences learning about new STEM discoveries.
As part of our commitment to providing the best opportunities for growing and developing young people interested in STEM careers, we want to ensure everyone has access to STEM. By connecting and creating platforms for young people to be positively exposed to a career in STEM, we want to offer the gateway to education and help those who are already on their journey.
From Boarding School to STEM ambassador
In this Q&A series, we interviewed Dellavinta Muliady, the Marketing Engagement Specialist at Engtal x Biotal and Ambassador of Diversify the Future. Interviewer: Tell us a little about yourself
Hello, my name is Dellavinta Muliady. I graduated from Newcastle University last year with a degree in Marketing and Management, and I am currently a Marketing Engagement Specialist at Engtal. I also work as a Community Manager at Growing Women in STEM – a community I helped to launch that aims to empower and encourage women in STEM at every stage of their careers. I was born and raised in Indonesia and came to the UK at the age of 17 to pursue higher education. My background allows me to feed in a new perspective when collaborating with colleagues, giving exposure to a whole new perception and culture that could be the key driver for change. Like any other Gen Z, I'm passionate about all things social and on-trend. I enjoy being creative, experimenting and exploring new things to satisfy my curiosity. Interviewer: How has your experience been with learning STEM in school? I went to a boarding school and was introduced to people with a broad range of interests and skills. My school was fortunate enough to facilitate students with equipment from the science laboratory, mechanical workshops, and expert talks from multiple industries. I met with students my age who excelled in food nutrition, those who dreamed of being scientists, those who had repeatedly won a national mathematic competition, and even a group of students who invented a new robot that would pick litter up from the ground. The people that I surrounded myself with shaped me into who I am today. Also, did you know there is a mathematical formula to calculate when you will meet your soulmate? A professor called Hannah Fry explains her theory on how mathematical equations will estimate the time you will meet the love of your life! That was one of the most impressive STEM discoveries and the beginning of my ever-lasting interest in STEM. Interviewer: What is the best advice you were given growing up? One thing that my dad always tells me, even though we are miles apart, is always to work hard. Nothing is easy to achieve in this world, and one must possess the ability to be resilient and hard-working. In a world where you are the minority, be the voice to speak for yourself. Be different, be courageous, and show the people who underestimate you that you can be the best version of yourself. And all that comes from being a hard worker with a passion for taking on the world!
Interviewer: Have you noticed diversity amongst STEM majors? Being a community manager at Growing Women in STEM, I get to meet other members who came from the STEM industry – and from the conversation, we had, alongside statistics and report analysis that we condone, there is not enough diversity and representation in STEM. There are not enough women, ethnicities, nationalities, and cultural differences in STEM. Diversity provides the opportunity to learn about differences – from knowledge, perspective, and perception. With diverse people bringing in various points of view, it will allow something to be made through consideration and thought – making it better and more significant. Interviewer: What do you love about your job?
I am proud to be one of Diversify the Future Foundation's ambassadors, this foundation is changing the world by taking action in supporting diversity. Many factors prevent diversity from happening and Diversify the Future Foundation aims to tackle one of the issues by allowing underrepresented and disadvantaged people to enter STEM majors. I love being part of an organization that contributes to the greater good. Diversify the Future Foundation has just started in September 2022, yet they have made several donations and bringing impact to the STEM industry. If you'd like to learn more about what we're up to at Diversify the Future, follow our LinkedIn page to keep up to date with our latest news, updates and scholarship funding.