Emily Lago Anderson, 24
- Hometown: DuPont
- Residence: DuPont
- Company/project name: SCOPE (Supportive Community of Professional Engineers)
- Founded: May 2020
What does your company/project do? SCOPE connects students with local professionals to foster a supportive community that empowers students to explore the possibilities of a career in computer science and engineering. We host panels where professionals with diverse backgrounds provide insight on the different pathways into careers, advice on resumes and interviews, guidance on navigating the transition from school to industry and much more. Our goal is to give students the opportunity to connect and network with local professionals so they can develop their own career "scope."
How did you come up with the idea? I previously developed an interactive computer science education program for elementary school students at Title I schools. That program still runs in Santa Maria, California. When I moved back to Washington after college and started working at Microsoft, I was looking for something I could do to feed my passion for creating equitable educational resources. At the same time, my friend and mentor Dr. Maricris Eleno Orama had transitioned from her position as an engineering professor at Tacoma Community College to a professional engineer in the industry. She was also looking for something to feed her passion for fostering student growth. We sat down and brainstormed what we had to offer students in our community and we realized we have connections with professionals who can help these students navigate the ups and downs of the journey.
What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs? When I began brainstorming ideas for my own project, I contemplated a quote from Oprah I had heard during a commencement speech. "Pick a problem, any problem, and do something about it." When you invest your time and energy into a solution that you feel passionate about, you ensure your willingness to put in the effort and the long hours, even after an already long workday. Finding passion and meaning in your project will foster success and longevity.
Other interests? Film photography, hiking, cooking and baking
