Her Story
About Rishima
I'm currently a freshman at the University of Washington studying engineering. Ever since I was a kid, I liked to take things apart and put them back together, and a lot of influence from my dad as well, because he's an engineer also - it kind of shaped my path, and that's how I ended up here. I'm pursuing a five-year engineering degree and am projected to graduate in 2029. My typical day involves going to classes, attending club meetings, and participating in the hall council at UW. I'm a member of the Society of Women Engineers, which I joined when I started at UW in fall of 2025. There's a senior in my club who's really helpful and helps me with my classes and with the club too. I was on the Dean's List my first quarter and also got invited to join an organization for leaders. Outside of academics, I really love playing sports - in high school, I was captain of both the basketball and table tennis teams.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Rishima
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say stay on top of your coursework, but I would say that's not everything, and you have to branch out and try to do something more technical, maybe join a club. My biggest challenge coming in was balancing my time and managing my time with everything, and kind of trying everything out, because once you join college, it's like, a lot of things are thrown at you, everyone tells you to do many things, and I kind of jumped right into everything without having a sense of - I felt like I should do everything, but there are some things that, you know, that you don't have to do, and you need to manage your time well, I would say.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
My biggest challenge coming in was balancing my time and managing my time with everything, and kind of trying everything out, because once you join college, it's like, a lot of things are thrown at you, everyone tells you to do many things, and I kind of jumped right into everything without having a sense of - I felt like I should do everything, but there are some things that, you know, that you don't have to do, and you need to manage your time well, I would say.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I would say being punctual, and just time management and honesty.
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