Engineer and YouTuber Xyla Foxlin shares her journey in the maker space, discussing challenges faced, overcoming imposter syndrome, and encouraging diversity. From childhood curiosity to balancing passion and obligations, she emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning, community engagement, and embracing hobbies to combat burnout.
Xyla Foxlin advocates for diversity in STEM by showcasing a range of maker projects.
Supportive environments are crucial in nurturing diverse talents in engineering and making.
Zyla Foxlin revolutionizes maker education through accessible online tutorials and resources.
Deep dives
Creating a Path to STEM for Underrepresented Groups
Zyla Foxlin, a recent college graduate, has embarked on a journey to create pathways to STEM fields for women and people of color. With a background in mechatronics and creative technology, she not only shares her expertise through YouTube content but also founded ParaHug, a company blending emotions and technology. Zyla's diverse projects, from rocket launches to furniture making, serve as inspiration for aspiring makers and highlight the importance of representation in STEM.
Breaking Gender Stereotypes in Engineering
Zyla Foxlin reflects on her journey into engineering and making, challenging gender stereotypes along the way. From childhood interests in tinkering and dollhouse construction to defying traditional gender roles in high school by excelling in robotics, Zyla navigated a path to college where she embraced mechanical and electrical engineering, advocating for a more inclusive approach to STEM education. Her experiences underscore the critical role of supportive environments in nurturing diverse talents.
Empowering Through Online Tutorials and Maker Education
Through her initiative, Beauty and the Bolt, Zyla Foxlin revolutionizes maker education by offering accessible online tutorials and resources. Recognizing the power of YouTube as a platform for learning, she addresses the challenges faced by aspiring makers, particularly women, in navigating makerspaces and acquiring technical skills. Zyla's dedication to empowering individuals through digital content and promoting diversity in STEM education exemplifies the transformative impact of online resources for the maker community.
Embracing Personal Projects and Balancing Workload
In the podcast episode, the guest discusses the importance of balancing personal projects and workload. They reflect on a period of burnout caused by overworking and striving to meet deadlines, leading to a lack of satisfaction in their content creation. This experience prompted them to reassess their approach and prioritize quality over quantity. By reevaluating their video output to focus on one monthly video that they are proud of, they emphasize the value of personal satisfaction and avoiding burnout in creative endeavors.
Encouraging Creativity and Community Engagement
Another key point from the episode highlights the guest's passion for diverse hobbies and their belief in fostering a supportive community. They emphasize the significance of engaging in hobbies that bring joy and fulfillment, particularly during times of burnout. By exploring various interests like woodworking, dancing, and flying, the guest underscores the therapeutic nature of creative pursuits and the importance of having a supportive network. Furthermore, they advocate for embracing curiosity, trying new things, and learning from others within a collaborative community.
Xyla Foxlin is an engineer and YouTuber with a passion for making things dating back to her early childhood love of art and creative exploration. What began as a way to entertain herself with whatever materials she could find blossomed into a career as a content creator and maker, showcasing her skills crafting everything from a rocket to a sailboat. In this episode, Xyla and Kevin discuss the challenges she’s faced in the maker space, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the work she’s done to help encourage other women and people of color interested in science, math, and engineering.
