I started out at the University of Saskatchewan in biochemistry. For that major, physics was a prerequisite. Although I had taken physics in high school, it wasn’t my favorite subject. I liked biology and chemistry, but the reading in those courses became overwhelming. Physics, on the other hand, included lab work. We learn theories, and then in the lab, we see those theories in action. That helped me understand the material better, and I decided to switch my major to physics. 

I grew up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota around traditional ceremonies, learning spirituality from my elders and science from my mother. My parents and grandparents prioritized the Lakota way of life and I always wanted to be like them. They are visionaries, and I’m thankful I was raised to see how innovative, grounded, and hopeful Lakota people are. My Ina (mother) was a single mother who raised my siblings and me while attending school and working full time before she met my Ate’ (stepdad) when I was two years old.

In my family, there are currently three generations of engineers. I am poised to become the fourth. It may seem like I was always destined to be an engineer, but I spent years determining my career path, and even now I don’t feel that it’s set in stone. As a junior at the University of Arizona, I am working toward a degree in biomedical engineering. But I’m not stopping there. My ultimate goal is an MD/PhD, and I am well on my way.

Having detailed conversations about finances can be difficult. But remember that your goal is to get to graduation, and finding the funding you need is essential. Whether you’re feeling ahead or feeling behind — no matter where you are in finding funding — now is the time to learn more. There are many resources and people you can turn to with your questions. If you’re in high school, talk to your counselor. If you’re close to starting college or already there, get to know your school’s financial aid resources. 

Today’s professional workplace may seem vastly different from those your elders were a part of. Everyone is looking to work faster, with fewer resources. Regardless of how well-equipped you are, you can easily find yourself overwhelmed, stressed, and sorely lacking work-life balance. While you may not be able to change everything about your work life, look to your Native traditions to help you manage stress and create more balance. Here are a few ways to do just that.

The college process is daunting. Between standardized tests, submitting applications, and waiting to be accepted, it’s not easy. Once accepted, there’s the question of how you will pay for college. Many Native students do not have enough funds readily available to cover their schooling. That’s where scholarships come in. Today, there are some amazing scholarship opportunities to help Native students on their college journey. Here are a few of the top scholarships to consider.

A large part of being successful professionally comes from being able to advocate for yourself. But whether you’ve been working for one year or 10, advocating for yourself or for your direct reports can challenging. Many assume that advocating will lead to conflict or uncomfortable conversations. While those things can happen, they don’t have to. Here are a few ways to advocate for yourself or a direct report.

College is a time for you to explore, try new things, and learn more about yourself. Over the course of four years, you may find that your interests change, your goals look different, and your future isn’t necessarily what you thought it would be. Four years pass quickly, so use this time wisely to set yourself up for the future. Here are a few ways to do just that.

A negative workplace can become quite challenging. Whether you don’t like your boss, are having trouble with your colleagues, or feel unsupported by the organization as a whole, a negative workplace can make going to work a chore. The good news is that there are ways to prevail in a negative workplace. Here are a few to help you get started.

When Leona Anderson was a young girl in Los Angeles, she knew she was part Native American, as her father always told her this. Her father was born and raised in Broken Arrow, Okla., and he would visit his hometown for a month each summer and visit the Cherokee Nation in Bixby, Okla., to spend time with his sister. Her father’s visit was about reconnecting with his sister, but it was also about providing her with much needed assistance. “My dad would help her with projects around her house and garden,” says Anderson, this year’s winner of the Blazing Flame Award.