Ana Isabel Gálvez Gutiérrez
Persistence, effort and critical rigor are some of the lessons that I would highlight from my time at the ETSi. Without a doubt, the demands of the program led to the development of my analytical and proactive capacity to be able to independently and effectively deal with any type of problem that arises. At the same time, as a GIA and MIA delegate, I learned the importance of good communication and team coordination. Therefore, I can say that this experience has brought me both intellectual and professional growth, as well as personal growth, giving me great friends and valuable qualities that directly impact my day-to-day performance.
In high school I had the opportunity to participate on Saturdays in the ESTALMAT project, which allowed me to be clear with those advanced mathematics sessions that I wanted to study a STEM degree -Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics-. The curiosity that space and the mechanics of flight aroused in me, together with the passion for mathematics and design, led me to leave my comfort zone to study Aerospace Engineering and answer those “whys”. The exclusivity of the degree, the great prestige and the proximity to my homeland (Lanjarón -Granada), played crucial roles in choosing ETSI as a faculty. I specialized in Aerospace Vehicles and continued my training in the Master's Degree in Aeronautical Engineering offered by the School. Furthermore, thanks to the program School mobility, I was part of the International Double Degree Program, studying the Master in Aerospace Engineering at the IST of Lisbon, specializing in Space. I was one of the few women with this opportunity, which allowed me to expand my concepts, learn and develop in other languages, as well as enjoy a multicultural experience that enriched me as a person.
However, in engineering it is as important to study as it is to know how to work as a team. Various volunteer activities are promoted by the School throughout the course, as well as the possibility of carrying out Teaching Research Projects, Collaboration scholarships and participating in conferences, such as IngeniaDron. In addition, I have participated and co-directed the Engineering Gala of the ETSI. This is a cultural event that the students organize altruistically, of which I highlight the camaraderie, the development of creative and communicative capacity, the coordination of the team and the learning of procedures typical of a public event, both technical, financial and administrative. .
Currently, I am developing my Master's Thesis between both faculties. At the same time, thanks to the opportunity provided by the Wonnow awards organized by CaixaBank and Microsoft Ibérica to reward the academic excellence of STEM university students, I work and learn in the Intelligent Systems in Processes project. At the same time, in the coming months I will have the opportunity to continue my training within the Microsoft mentoring program. Aside from this, I have recently been one of the 4 winners (the only Spanish one) with the scholarship Feedzai- Women in Science, promoted by the company Feedzai and the Higher Technical Institute of Lisbon, to reward the best female files linked to the scientific areas of Artificial Intelligence.
I take advantage of the opportunity to make future students aware of these possibilities that are within their reach, and to encourage all those who are considering pursuing a technical degree, because power is wanting to achieve it without fearing how hard the path may be.