Alondra’s Story: A Passion for Data & Engineering

Alondra’s thoughts of dropping her Career and College Success Engineering pathway class vanished on day one.

“The first week was done really well,” she said. “It was interesting for me. I like learning about data and I’m good at math.”

Now the student at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College advocates for other students with a passion for math and engineering to consider the opportunity. 

“I have never been more challenged, learning directly from teachers in the field of engineering,” she said. “We were pushed to learn the mathematics behind our projects and would almost always be working in teams.”

“I have never been more challenged, learning directly from teachers in the field of engineering.”

From designing plans for a building or programming a robot to take a certain path in the classroom, the group projects not only interested Alondra, but sparked her curiosity in civil engineering. 

However, it was her three-time internship as an Analyst with QEP Resources that impressed upon her how much she loves working with data and helped her realize her big future ambitions.

For the past two summers, and now, during the school year twice a week for the past four months, Alondra has been making the journey to QEP Resources, an oil and gas company, on the 16th street mall. 

“At the beginning it was nerve-racking! I didn’t even know how to get there,” she said. “You get in the light rail car and go downtown… It’s right on the mall.”

“At the beginning it was nerve-racking! I didn’t even know how to get there.”

She shared what she likes about the work.

“Yes, it’s a lot of work on the computer, but at the same time, this taught me that I like analytics and sorting through data sets,” she said. “As a data analyst, I make sure things are correct and organized.” 

Her mentor and senior analyst, Tessa, saw potential in Alondra and has been instrumental in helping her see the potential within herself.

“I’ve learned that I have more potential in me than what I see. I have the type of mindset that I can complete work within a certain timeframe and I can do more than what others might think,” Alondra said.

“I’ve learned that I have more potential in me than what I see … I can do more than what others might think.”

“I really do want to get an engineering degree, and my top choice is to attend Colorado School of Mines.”

She hopes that more students from her school consider giving the program a shot, especially more young women like herself:

“It’s a really great experience to have, and sets you up for good so you know what you want to do.”