Each month, the Reinvented team votes on a Member of the Month based on factors including dedication to the team, team spirit, and contributions to Reinvented. This month we had so many great members we chose two! We are beyond proud to call Nandini one of our volunteers and are thrilled to recognize her as one of our January Members of the Month!
Nandini Goyal | Fundraising Manager
Education: I am attending Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Technologies. I am on the mechanical engineering career path.
How did you get involved in STEM?
My high school is a magnet school, so there is an obvious emphasis on STEM fields. My school offers two career paths: electrical and mechanical engineering. To be very honest, I struggled with electrical engineering a lot, and I immediately started to regret my decision of attending a STEM school. However, when I start learning mechanical engineering, I absolutely loved it and found it much easier to understand concepts. STEM is such an enriching and vast field and I was glad I had found an area that satisfied my curiosity and taught me new things every day. In junior year, I wanted to share my appreciation for STEM fields and contribute my part in helping other girls like me to gain confidence in pursuing STEM. That's why I joined Girl Genius Magazine and Reinvented Magazine, two nonprofit organizations with that exact goal.
Why did you join Reinvented Magazine?
As mentioned earlier, my main reason for joining Reinvented was to encourage other girls like me to explore STEM and to show them that STEM is inclusive of everyone. Personally, I am interested in finance so getting to be on the finance team and gaining experience on how finances work in nonprofits has been extremely beneficial to me. Reinvented also has such an empowering community and there's always an opportunity for me to join a new project or try something I've never done before, such as taking lead on a fundraiser. Everyone at Reinvented Magazine is so welcoming and supportive so I encourage you all to apply for staff positions!
Who is your favorite female STEM role model?
My favorite female STEM role model would have to be Reshma Saujani. Girls Who Code is an amazing organization and I love how her mission strives to close the gender gap in technology. I still remember listening to her Ted Talk for the first time and being amazed at how many girls she was inspiring with just her words.
Do you have any hobbies outside of Reinvented?
Even though I recently started last year, I love to dance, and it is definitely a hobby I want to continue doing in college! I also love listening to music or binge-watching Netflix shows. When the weather's nice, I like riding my bike around my neighborhood. I absolutely love to travel, and am so ready for COVID-19 to go away so I can visit new places again!
What is your favorite quote?
"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
― Maya Angelou.
I feel this is the perfect way to get through each day, and that every day is a chance for growth. This quote is currently my motto for the new year :)