Written by: Paloma Diaz Rivas

In the realm of STEM, representation matters. Meet Janie Valdez, a dynamic engineer whose passion for uplifting minority voices has ignited a movement on social media. By day, Janie excels in her engineering career, but by night, she leverages Instagram to empower fellow Latina women and challenge stereotypes within the field. Her journey embodies resilience, determination, and a commitment to fostering inclusivity.

Janie’s decision to use Instagram as a platform stemmed from her experiences as a Latina engineer in Texas, where she often found herself as the only woman of color in her teams. “Sharing my experiences on Instagram connected me with others who shared similar stories,” Maria explains. Through her advocacy, she discovered a community eager for representation and support.

One defining moment for Janie was the realization that people held preconceived notions about engineers based on appearance. “When I heard ‘You don’t look like an engineer,’ it fueled my determination to advocate for more representation,” Janie reflects. She aims to dismantle stereotypes and highlight that the best engineers come from diverse backgrounds, with or without formal education.

Balancing her engineering career with advocacy work presents unique challenges. Janie faces negativity and stereotypes, particularly when sharing her personal journey. Despite this, she remains steadfast in her mission to break down barriers and inspire others to pursue their dreams in STEM.

Janie actively supports the undocumented community within STEM by emphasizing the impact of mere existence in the field. She uses her platform to advocate, create spaces, and highlight the journeys of undocumented individuals, promoting inclusivity and diversity.

To those facing obstacles in STEM, Janie offers unwavering encouragement: “Don’t give up. It doesn’t matter how long it takes; what matters is not giving up.” She emphasizes the significance of perseverance, regardless of the path or timeline to achieving educational milestones.

Looking ahead, Janie envisions creating scholarships, fostering diversity through corporate collaborations, and inspiring transparency in advocacy efforts. Despite challenges, Janie remains resolute in her belief that perseverance will turn dreams into reality.

Janie Valdez’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of advocacy and representation in STEM. Through her advocacy on social media, she continues to inspire and empower individuals like herself, reshaping narratives and paving the way for a more inclusive future in the field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.