Leslie Johnson

Morgan State University Undergraduate Student, Mechatronics Engingeering

What are you are studying/what you are interested in studying and/or researching while at Purdue? If you have done internships or other applicable experiences, feel free to include them here.

I am studying engineering and I’m interested in learning Processes and strategies conducive of innovation. Additionally, I wish to gain more experience navigating professional settings and transferable skills. As a rising sophomore, I want to research and familiarize myself with job titles about technical fields surrounding my major. In hopes of narrowing down what I want my future career path to be. My applicable experiences are my involvement with Morgan State chapter engineering organizations, previous conferences I have attended.  Along with my summer 2024 internship. I had the pleasure of attending the 2023 BEYA Conference. Their job fair allowed me to adapt my elevator pitch in professional conversations outside of mock interviews. This conference also gave me the confidence to implement networking into my arsenal. I did this by starting conversations and reaching out to colleagues as well as talent acquisitions as a follow-up. Also, I am a member of SWE, NSBE, SPS, ASME, and the Morgan State Honors College. This summer I was an intern for Exelon and was granted an offer letter to return next summer. 

What made you want to join the Leading Women Toward Space Careers program?

I wish to find and insert myself in rooms conducive of camaraderie and intellectual growth. As an African American woman attending an HBCU, I have the pleasure of being in environments made up of predominantly Black scholars. However, I am generally one of a few women in all my STEM courses. I am currently seeking professional and personal environments dedicated to the evolution of women spiritually and intellectually. This initiative, research, and discernment have led me to this program. Where I hope to develop transferable skills and tokens of wisdom to help me navigate my future endeavors. 

What area would you like to work in after graduation? (What career path, interests, opportunities, etc., would you like to accomplish? What field are you interested in?)

I am not entirely sure how to implement my career goals and ambitions until a specific draw field or title. Overall, I want to use my ingenuity to tackle problems that disproportionately affect marginalized people. First, as a marginalized person, I want to advance my own skills so that I can give back to communities that need help. I intend to do this through the pursuit of my secondary education and by establishing a stable career. Throughout my personal advancement, I would like to take advantage of all opportunities accessible to me out of respect for my potential and those who work hard to provide such opportunities. One of my short-term goals includes better time management, learning a second language, and expanding my financial literacy.