Laura Farrelly, Co-Founder

I grew up in the outskirts of Detroit in the early 80s – a time of big hair, cabbage patch kids, MTV and historically high unemployment rates. I watched many family members struggle to make ends meet. As a driven kid, this made me determined to select a career that provided financial stability and strong job prospects.

Always having a keen interest in math and science, I was drawn to engineering but didn’t have a good way to learn about the types of jobs in the field, until I met a young woman that was a mechanical engineer. I overheard my relatives talk about how she had multiple, high paying offers upon graduation. And I noticed she had a super nice car. Thus I began my pursuit of mechanical engineering – earning a bachelor’s degree from Michigan Technological University and then pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Michigan-Dearborn while I worked full-time as an automotive engineer at Ford Motor Company.

While I enjoyed the work, it wasn’t the best match for my personal interests and values. Never being one to settle, I decided to obtain an MBA in order to make a career transition. I selected the full-time program at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Since graduation, I have enjoyed a successful 15-year career as a software technology executive. 

I am passionate about helping others learn about the types of STEM careers available so that they too can find the job that is a perfect fit for their values and interests. Couragion will improve the likelihood that grads choose and stay in STEM careers.