Alumna Beating the Oddsas Engineer

Evelyn PanduroEvelyn Panduro was born in Los Angeles and grew up in Lynwood. She never planned on going to college after graduating from Lynwood High School, and instead enlisted in the Navy. Her decision to join the Navy was challenging for her parents, but the Navy provided her with a great experience.

Evelyn completed her two-year enlistment and decided to go back to school. Since she was always good at math and science, she tried engineering. Evelyn loved it, but wasn’t sure what kind of engineer she wanted to be. A Cerritos College counselor recommended that she take an AutoCAD class in the Engineering Design Technology program. She instantly fell in love with the Engineering Design Technology program and continued taking classes.

“As much as I saw it was a male dominated field, I didn't care,” she said. Evelyn enjoyed all the Engineering Design Technology classes she took at Cerritos College, although some were challenging. “My classmates helped me out when I was stuck in a design process. We always helped each other. I was never treated any differently because I was a female, and sometimes I was the only female in my ENGT classes.”

Evelyn thanks her friend and mentor Dr. Miodrag Micic, chair of the Engineering Design Technology department for his guidance once she was ready to transfer to California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA). 

Evelyn recently graduated from CSULA with a B.S. in industrial technology in June, but her educational journey continues. She plans to pursue a Master of Business Administration at California State University, Fullerton or Long Beach. Evelyn currently works for GKN Aerospace as a lab technician.  She hopes to expand her knowledge by obtaining an MBA and to become a director/manager of the engineering department at an aerospace or automotive company. 

Engineering Design Technology program graduates work in various technology fields such as engineer, technician, industrial and tool designer, manufacturing engineer, and technology educator.  “This is an ideal career path for anyone with Career Technical Education degree” said Dr. Micic.  “We are especially proud of our Evelyn, a successful example of women in the non-traditional career path,” said Dr. Micic.  

 

 

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