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Dear Diaspora.

7/14/2017

2 Comments

 
Picture
Dear Diaspora,

​Do you understand how little 2% is? When you have 2% of something, you are missing 98% of whatever that object is. 2% milk is missing 98% of the fat. A loading bar at 2% has 98% percent that still has to load. When you have 2% of a dollar you have only two pennies.  You are missing out on the other 98 pennies. Two percent of ten dollars is only twenty cents, and so on. But who cares? Why is 2% significant? Well, 2% is significant because that is the percentage of Science and Engineering Bachelor degrees awarded to African American women in 2010.
 
My name is Cassia Trusty. I am currently a rising sophomore at Villanova University and my major is Computer Engineering.
 
I am incredibly proud of my major and am excited to pursue this degree. Even so, I recognize that while it is important to express my excitement, I also must deliver the truth of what it's like to be a black female engineer.
 
When I think about my experience, a word that comes to mind is “intimidation”. Within the first month of being at Villanova, I had someone suggest I get tested for a learning disability and that I consider changing my major from engineering. While I don't claim that this comment held racial or sexist intent, it was still an eye-opening experience.
 
I had earned my way to Villanova through preparation that took place throughout my entire educational career. Of the 17,235 applications for the class of 2020, I was one of the 1,670 students who were accepted. I, Cassia Trusty, had been accepted into Villanova University to pursue (at the time) a Chemical Engineering degree. The same major that, when I told people, was met with “Ouch! That's one of the tough ones!”. And yet, here I still found myself, face to face with someone who so strongly doubted my abilities, that they felt the need to clearly voice their opinion.
 
I was already firm in who I was. I knew my capabilities. This was not the first oppositional voice I had heard.  I did not take the bait. There are times when it is not up to us to insist that we have certain abilities. Instead, our actions must do the talking.
 
It is intimidating to be a black female engineer at a predominantly white institution. But you will notice that I said I am “currently” studying at Villanova. Intimidation has no hold on me. I am here, and here I will stay. As a woman. As an intelligent woman. As an intelligent black woman. I shall not be moved. 


2 Comments
Heleana Magloire link
7/18/2017 10:17:34 am

Hello, my name is Heleana and i'm a senior in high school, already thinking of colleges and my career mostly. My best friend and I are so terrified but excited about you know college and just growing up in general. If you don't mind me asking how did you know what you would major in would be something that could change your life or that could change someone else life?

Reply
Cassia Trusty
8/17/2017 12:14:35 am

Hello Heleana,

I sincerely apologize for this late reply! I had no idea that there was a comment until now.

I totally understand what it is like to be terrified but excited for college. I don't mind questions at all, I, in fact, love them!

Truth be told, I had no idea that what I would major in would be something that could change my life or anyone else's. As a kid, I wanted to be a lawyer. My parents and other family (my village) were always very encouraging when it came to majoring in something that had to do with science.

I actually was completely unaware of what major I wanted, even when I entered college. I was there for Chemical Engineering, but it wasn't until around January of my freshman year that I realized I was in love with computers, technology, and coding.

Technology is saving people's lives. Have you heard of the sports helmet that is being developed to help us gauge if a football player has been hit too hard by sensors in the helmet? Or about artificial organs that are being developed? There are a plethora of things out there that I in my major have a chance to be involved in that could change someone's life.

Something I won't forget is when I was participating in one of my swim meets. My head coach walked over to me and looked me in the eye and asked, "Are you nervous?"

I thought about lying and saying, "Nah, I've got this." But instead, I looked at him and said a simple, "Yeah."

He smiled and said, "Good, nervousness is good. You're going to do well."

It's okay that you and your best friend are terrified, because I think everyone is. I know I was and there are many things in life that still terrify me. What is important is that you don't let this terror overshadow your excitement.

If you ever have any more questions, please don't hesitate to reach out again, I would love to hear from you!

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