This 2023 Kamiakin grad was part of Boeing’s STEM Signing Day | Opinion
I have always enjoyed science. As a kid, I spent hours outside exploring my family’s garden, looking for bugs and plants to use in various concoctions. I have always questioned why things work the way they do, and I enjoy using a logical process to prove facts. I followed my curiosity and took nursing courses my junior year of high school and now work as a certified nursing assistant.
During my senior year at Kamiakin High School, I moved out of my health sciences comfort zone and took a risk by enrolling in Advanced Placement Physics, taught by my favorite teacher. The course was harder than I expected, and I enjoyed it more than I could have imagined. I see the world differently now because I know the math behind how things work.
This fall, I will start classes at the University of Washington in Bothell. I plan to study computer science and physics, and I look forward to learning about new topics, such as artificial intelligence. My career path is unclear because I have so many passions — I aspire to be a physicist, computer scientist, and a Physician Associate — but I am excited to keep growing and combining all my interests into a fulfilling career.
Recently, I was among the 46 graduating high school seniors in Washington state participating in the national STEM Signing Day, presented by Boeing. The event honors seniors who choose to pursue STEM education at technical programs, and two- and four- year colleges and universities. Like signing days for athletes, we each signed a letter of intent to pursue our STEM goals after high school. Getting recognition from a big company for my hard work and decision to pursue a STEM career feels empowering and moving as I prepare for the next step in my education and future career.
Companies are ready to hire in Washington state in many high-demand fields, like healthcare, data analytics, cybersecurity, carpentry, marketing, and more. In 2022, employers added about 115,000 new jobs here. Most of these jobs require education or training after high school, which is part of the reason I am choosing to continue to go to college. I know my career opportunities and the chance to earn enough money to comfortably support myself depend on more education.
Unfortunately, not enough Washington students go on to earn a credential after high school. For the high school class of 2019, only 43% are expected to complete a credential, such as a degree, apprenticeship or certificate. I want to encourage our state to continue supporting students with financial aid and other resources to help them succeed in post-high school education. Washington needs a diversity of perspectives in STEM and other fields to better solve the problems in front of us.
As a woman and a first-generation immigrant from the Middle East, I feel added pressure to be the best. I choose to use this pressure as positive motivation to keep striving, and to bring my heritage and my values into my current and future work as a scientist. I encourage other students to be true to themselves. Don’t worry what others think of you. Choose the path — or paths! — that feel right and leverage your strengths. Our communities and our state depend on our curiosity, persistence, and potential.
Dalia Al Hayyawi is a senior at Kamiakin High School in Kennewick. She received a STEM Signing Day award from Boeing and will study computer science at the University of Washington in Bothell this fall.
