During my freshman year of college I took a psychology course. One of the topics was how people perceive others, and this launched me to do some self-evaluation. I asked a friend of mine what the first three words were that came to mind to describe me and they said: friendly, empathetic and smart. Their words really stuck with me and have carved out my experience in college so far as I have stayed true to those characteristics, even as the world, and myself, have changed.

As a young woman in a STEM school, I have had a lot of exposure to previously male-dominated fields of study. I know that you have probably read something incredibly similar to that previous sentence. I know that must be true, because I, too, have read those articles and drawn insight and enjoyment from them; however, the reason I write this now is to share a personal experience that has catalyzed my need to share a message I believe so strongly in: girl power.

Entering college, I had been a certified adult member of the Girl Scouts of America for the summer, and acted as a camp counselor to groups of young girls. Before this experience, I had spent small amounts of time with boys and girls while refereeing youth soccer or at various after-school programs. These opportunities played an important role in sculpting my character; however, it was when I was employed at Camp Virginia as a Girl Scout counselor that my personal investments became involuntary.

The young girls I met as a camp counselor brought light to my life and love into my soul, and I don’t mean for that to sound cheesy or overdone. I mean it, these girls had so much passion and zest for life that I couldn’t help but feel just as enthusiastic as they were. The program that brought the experience to the next level for me was the science experiment camp. This program allowed girls to learn how fun and useful science can be, and they really took to it.

I knew while I was a counselor I would be attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the fall and majoring in civil engineering. Seeing these young girls so excited about what my school was offering me was an inspiration. These girls really thought they could be anything in the future, and that’s something I want to keep pushing for every day. I am constantly impressed by these young ladies’ spirit, determination and effort to learn that it’s something that, on my rougher days as an engineering student, I remember to know that my generation is making waves that will continue onto future generations.

I will never forget what one of my girls said on a dark rainy day when nothing was going right: “There’s a reason girl is said the way it is, you know … with 'grr' in it? It’s because we’re fierce. We can do anything.” And she’s right, we really can. We are capable of being our true selves and living up to and far beyond our potential. I will always be thankful to the friend during my freshman year who said I was friendly, empathetic and smart. It is through that positive reinforcement that I believe I have lived up to my potential as a student and a person, and that I will continue to aim high, which is what girl power is all about.