Yeimi Dominguez-Jaramillo

What is something you're proud of this year?

This past year, I interned as an asset integrity engineer at Noble Corporation where I had the chance to fly out to a drillship oil rig in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. I had the opportunity to talk to offshore subsea engineers and help with their daily tasks. In the office, I managed the data we would receive from both the onshore and offshore teams, helping streamline improvements to the company. This past month I have started my journey with NASA's L'space Mission Concept Academy where I’ll be working on a team to take a science question through the early stages of the mission development lifecycle, from concept ideation to a preliminary mission design using systems engineering and mission design! This year has been used to expand my engineering skills in every direction!

What advice would you give to your freshman self?

Impostor syndrome is so real and can be debilitating. It's hard to feel like you don't belong but perhaps you should embrace that. Embrace that you don't fit in because that means you are in a space where not a lot of first-gen Latinas are and that's exactly what our parents fought for. That's empowering; it can be isolating, but it can be motivating. Just because you fail does not mean it all ends; it just means you have to get up and be okay with failure. It's part of the process, but at the end of the day, we have always achieved our goals, no matter how many times we stumble. Also, call your mom more, please.

How have you utilized the SSI office this year? How has SSI been beneficial for you this year?

The SSI office has been a constant source of support throughout all four years of my time at Rice. When I first arrived, I sought academic guidance, learning how to build healthy study habits and adjust to the rigor of college coursework. As I grew academically and began pursuing career opportunities, SSI continued to support me by helping me prepare for interviews, navigate networking, and craft professional follow-up emails. It became a place where I gained foundational knowledge I didn’t even realize I was missing until I asked. As a first-generation student, navigating college on my own can feel overwhelming, but having an SSI counselor who is welcoming, nonjudgmental, and genuinely excited to help has made a meaningful difference. The SSI office has helped close the knowledge gap I faced when entering college and has played an important role in both my personal and professional growth.

Any advice to other students?

My advice is to schedule an SSI meeting and build a connection with someone there who can support you through academic challenges, just as I did. Having that guidance can make a big difference when things feel overwhelming. College is hard, but it’s also fun. Try to enjoy the small moments, remember that one failed test isn’t the end of the world, and give yourself permission to truly enjoy the experience.