Alumnae Spotlight
MEP Alumna Daisy Guzman-Pena
Design Engineer, Adrian Steel
Daisy at Emerging Leaders Summer Camp in 2014.
“The reason I got into engineering was because of the robotics program offered through MEP.”
As a sophomore in high school, Daisy Guzman-Pena joined MEP’s robotic program, where she discovered her passion for the mechanical aspects of building robots, such as building, designing parts, and calculations. Her interest in engineering led her to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 2024.
After graduating, Daisy quickly landed a position as a Design Engineer at Adrian Steel, a top manufacturer of commercial van and truck equipment. In her role, Daisy designs upfits for commercial vehicles, such as the specialized interiors of ambulances and other emergency vehicles, ensuring safety and functionality through rigorous testing. “I design whatever is needed. I’m exposed to different problems, since that’s the job of the designer – ‘Here’s a new problem; solve it. There’s another problem; find a solution.”
In a typical week she’s doing CAD. modeling and running FEA simulations to verify that her designs are safe and reliable. She also works alongside manufacturing engineers and shop-floor staff to ensure the parts she’s designing are manufacturable and can be mass-produced.
Daisy first encountered MEP in middle school through summer camp programming. Initially hesitant, she was encouraged by friends who had attended and loved it. When MEP launched a robotics program, Daisy again was reluctant, but the enthusiasm of her peers and mentors won her over. “The mentors in that robotics program are what really pushed me,” Daisy shares. “They encouraged me to consider engineering, and from there, it’s history.”
Beyond technical skills, MEP’s programs instilled values of resourcefulness and perseverance. “The coordinators really gave it their all,” Daisy remembers. “They were very kind and resourceful, which taught me to be resourceful as well.”
Being the first in her family to attend college is a huge achievement, which Daisy attributes to her determination and the support of the MEP community. “The main thing that came out of my involvement with all this is the relationships,” Daisy reflects. “I maintained mentorships with my mentors and formed a community with the girls who were younger.”
The success Daisy enjoys hasn't come without challenges, including the bias women often face working in a traditionally male-dominated field. During college, she encountered a groupmate who underestimated her technical abilities and tried relegating her to less demanding tasks.
“My advice to students interested in pursuing careers in STEM is to not be intimidated by people who try to stereotype you. Don’t let it discourage you from pursuing STEM careers. Let your work speak for itself, because staying professional helps you maintain control over the situation.”
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