May Lala Sorenson, PE

I attribute my success to my parents, who I call “the rebels,” because they broke a generational cycle of limited education and hard labor in our family. Despite growing up with parents and grandparents who had little formal schooling and working exhausting factory jobs, they made the deliberate choice to prioritize education for me and my siblings, insisting we go to school instead of following their path. Their sacrifices and determination to change our future not only shaped my life and education but also created a new trajectory for our family for generations to come.

The best career advice I ever received came when I was deciding whether to move from the Philippines to the United States. I was paralyzed by perfectionism and fear of making the wrong choice, constantly asking myself, “What if it doesn’t work out?” A mentor from my church reframed it simply: “What if you go, try it, don’t like it, and come back?” That perspective changed everything for me. I realized decisions are not final—they are adjustable—and I can always reroute my life if needed. That insight gave me the courage to take the leap and taught me to trust myself through uncertainty.

My advice to young women entering my industry is to first get clear on who you are, and then have the courage to pursue that direction even with imperfections and uncertainty. I’ve seen too many talented women stay in roles they’re only “okay” with, while their real passion sits on the side waiting. Once you know what truly calls to you, don’t wait for the perfect timing or perfect conditions. Take steps toward it, even if it means short-term tradeoffs or discomfort. In the long run, what matters is whether you gave yourself the chance to live aligned with your passion, because that’s where fulfillment really comes from.

The biggest challenge I see in my field is communication, especially as engineers transition into leadership roles. Early in our careers, we focus heavily on technical skills, but as we move into managing projects, teams, and multiple stakeholders, we’re suddenly expected to navigate high-stakes conversations without formal training in people management. Many of us struggle with accountability discussions and difficult feedback because we don’t want to damage relationships, even when those conversations are necessary. I’ve noticed this across all levels, not just early-career engineers. This gap is what led me to pursue leadership coaching, so I could better develop these skills myself and help others build confidence in handling tough conversations in a more effective and constructive way.

What’s most important to me is alignment. I can do many things, but I only feel fulfilled when they align with who I am—especially my focus on people and relationships. I’ve learned that values evolve as we grow and move through different life stages, but fulfillment comes from staying aligned with the values that matter in the present. When there is alignment, things tend to grow with you; when there isn’t, they slowly drift apart. For me, staying grounded in that alignment is what brings meaning and direction to my work and life.