Tech Inspired Tech Inspired with Dona Smith
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Feb 25, 2025 
Dona Smith, the Robotic Systems Team Lead at Sevensense Robotics, shares her remarkable journey from the European Space Agency to pioneering AI-driven robotics. She discusses how an exchange year in the U.S. sparked her passion for engineering and the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field. Dona dives into the fast-paced world of robotics startups, emphasizing the importance of diversity, innovation, and continuous learning. She also offers actionable advice for breaking into tech, proving that perseverance can unlock extraordinary opportunities.
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Transformative Exchange Year
- Dona Smith initially disliked school and viewed it as a never-ending chore.
- An exchange year in the U.S. transformed her perspective, sparking a passion for engineering due to the applied, real-world problem-solving approach to learning.
Discouraged but Determined
- While applying to universities, a professor discouraged Dona Smith from pursuing engineering, suggesting she "marry a rich guy" instead.
- This discouragement solidified her resolve to pursue engineering, highlighting the subtle resistance women face in STEM.
ESA Experience
- Dona Smith's first engineering role was at the European Space Agency (ESA), inspired by her master's thesis on extrasolar planets.
- She appreciated the international and diverse environment at ESA.