In "The Courage to Be Different: Rewriting the STEM Narrative," Carmen will share her personal journey through the world of STEM, particularly engineering, from the early struggles of challenges, failed exams, and long study days to graduating and conducting research aimed at improving people's lives and changing the world. She will highlight the importance of embracing individuality and challenging conventional ideas and misconceptions about who belongs in STEM. Through her story, she hopes to inspire others to break free from limiting narratives and courageously carve their own path in STEM, proving that diversity of thought and experience is the key to unlocking innovation. By expanding our understanding of who can contribute to STEM, we can reshape the field and become role models for future generations.