Tell us about yourself and how are you involved with FIRST?
My name is Kaylena Pham and I am currently studying Environmental Engineering at the University of Southern California! I was involved in FIRST from 2019-2023 as a member of team FTC #4628 Suitbots and was a mentor for the FLL team #55590 Gears and Gadgets from 2022-2024 in Monrovia, California. In addition to my efforts within my team, I was also an ambassador for the organization LGBTQ+ of FIRST and was part of the founding team for POCs of FIRST. These two organizations really helped me find my own diverse community within FIRST as well as encouraged me to continue advocating for marginalized communities within STEAM fields today.
How has FIRST helped you accomplish your goals?
FIRST, to me, is so much more than just an organization; it’s a vibrant, dynamic community of amazing and supportive peers, volunteers, and mentors who have shaped the person I am today. It’s a place where individuals from all walks of life come together, united by a shared passion for innovation, collaboration, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Being part of an FTC team provided me with problem-solving skills and challenges that helped encouraged the engineer in me to take shape. But beyond that, my mentor, Mr. Dobson, fostered, not only my technical abilities, but also my personal and professional growth. He encouraged me to believe in my potential, both on and off the field, helping me build the confidence in myself, which still resonates with me today.
FIRST has provided me with the foundation to pursue my aspirations in engineering and leadership, while also teaching me the importance of community, mentorship, and perseverance. It’s not just about building robots—it’s about building a better version of yourself and helping others do the same.
Do you recall any special experiences or challenges?
One particular project for my senior year is something that still sticks with me to this day. That year, the game was PowerPlay and I was tasked with designing and building a turret system for our robot, a design that was extremely rare and unique for the game’s goals. I remember spending so long trying to figure out how this turret would even work, let alone be implemented into our robot design! I lacked a lot of confidence in my abilities and with the time constraint of our season’s goals, it was difficult for me to really hone in on my abilities to really make this design work. It wasn’t until the month before where the stress really got to the team and I and we really got to work on this design to make it happen. Initially, our turret was extremely flawed and required much more maintenance and design precision than we thought, however, I found this to be such a fun challenge for the team, exercising our design, CAD, and programming capabilities. It really pushed us to our limits, helping us grow our skillsets and abilities.
Why do you think FIRST is important for females?
FIRST really encourages young individuals, such as myself, to really believe in ourselves and challenge our capabilities and show us that we are more than what meets the eye; we learn to trust our problem-solving abilities, collaborate effectively, and take ownership of our ideas. Programs like FIRST help close the gender gap in STEM, providing a space where females and non-binary students can thrive, inspire others, and redefine what it means to succeed in these fields.
What are your goals for the future?
Since my junior year of high school, I have always thought about pursuing a PhD, but it wasn’t until I found myself in an amazing research position here at my university where I get to pursue a project I am passionate in that led me to aspire towards a PhD! Of course, this wasn’t without the help of FIRST. The skills I have garnered, ranging from technical skills such as programming, and interpersonal skills, such as confidence and collaboration, really helped me work towards this dream and as I continue my studies, I hope to continue my research journey further and further towards becoming a leader within my field and work.
What advice would you give to the younger generation of girls interested in STEAM fields?
Go for it! Nothing is stopping you other than yourself! While the world and society may not see you as an engineer or a scientist, I do! While you, as a reader of this interview, may not know me, the one thing you should take is that I believe in you and I know that you can do it! The journey may be hard, but I know that you can push through to become the best self you can be. Hardships will help you grow to become a stronger and more resilient individual as you work towards your dreams and show the world that you CAN do it!
Do you have a woman you look up to/is your role model? If so, who is it and why?
My role model is Amanda Nguyen, an activist and the first Vietnamese woman to fly to space! As a Vietnamese-American myself, it excites me to see a woman who is able to advocate for herself and woman’s rights as she ignited the Stop Asian Hate movement and was a leader in helping to pass sexual assault survivor rights in the United States and United Nations. It was so inspiring for me to hear her story on the journey to justice and healing for herself and millions of others around the world. She inspires me everyday through showing power in speaking my truth and never losing sight of my dreams.
Do you know a student, alumni, mentor, volunteer or sponsor with a great story?
Click here to nominate your favorite #FIRSTLikeAGirl, to tell her story!