Alejandra is a Salvadoran scientist working in the field of numerical simulations for tribological applications at a research centre in Austria. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Universidad Centroamericana “José Simeón Cañas” in El Salvador. In 2021, she completed a Master’s in Tribology of Surfaces and Interfaces from the University of Leeds (UK), the University of Ljubljana (SLO) and Lulea University of Technology (SWE) after receiving a full Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree (EMJM) scholarship in Tribology. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Mechanical Engineering with focus on Tribology at Vienna University of Technology (AT).
When looking back, I can’t help but feel immensely blessed. My decision to pursue a STEM career felt very natural from a young age. I always loved math and physics, I genuinely enjoyed learning and had a lot of fun at school. It doesn’t surprise me that now, at 32, I’m still learning and studying. I come from a middle-class family; my parents worked extremely hard to provide me and my two siblings the best possible education. Alongside my studies, I received continuous training in Contemporary Dance, starting at age 4 until 18, just before beginning university. I have always considered this part of my story integral to my development, art instilled in me values that have been fundamental in my career and personal growth.
In my teen years, I became interested in learning German. I loved how it sounded. At the time, I was struggling with English in school, so I convinced my parents to pay for German classes, with the condition that I would also continue with English afterwards. I attended the Deutsche Schule in San Salvador every Saturday for nearly three years.
By the age of 15, I already knew I wanted to study abroad. I had good grades and knew I could apply for scholarships, but at 18 I wasn’t ready to leave my family. I wanted to study math and physics, however a program with a blend of the two disciplines didn’t exist in El Salvador. So, I chose Mechanical Engineering. My initial idea was to study for a year while applying for scholarships abroad, but at the time the process felt overwhelming. It wasn’t until my fourth year that I gathered the courage to apply for an exchange program in Mexico. At that moment, I thought I was leaving for just six months.
The exchange semester in Mexico was a life-changing experience. Coming from a small country like El Salvador, everything felt amazing, safer, eye-opening, and full of possibilities. My interest in a lecture on simulations allowed me to apply for an internship at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, where I completed my bachelor thesis and extended my stay for another semester. After graduation, I decided I wanted to stay in Mexico and look for a job. PepsiCo marked the beginning of my industrial experience. I was fortunate to be admitted into a program that allowed me to rotate roles within a year. I worked in the largest production plant in Mexico, with 16 production lines—a fast-paced environment that demanded a steep learning curve. After a year and a half, I transitioned to a corporate role in Capital Expenditures (CapEx) for the Engineering team. This position was more finance-oriented but required extensive cross-functional collaboration, which I enjoyed immensely.
While I found my work rewarding, I always dreamed of studying in Germany. In 2017, I applied for scholarships at the very last minute and was not selected. The following year, I applied again with a more structured approach and was awarded the best possible scholarship to study in Europe—a full Erasmus Mundus scholarship to pursue a Master’s in Tribology in a consortium of four universities.
That felt like another stage in my life, and it was. I had the opportunity to live and study in England, Slovenia, and Sweden. Those two years changed my understanding of the world, I made international friends, I had to face so many different situations while living in places where sometimes just communication or weather conditions were so extreme. This process also showed me how resilient I am, how I can thrive even in the most difficult situations and that made me feel powerful and capable. After finishing the Master’s, I moved to Austria to join the largest tribological research centre in Europe as a scientist, with the possibility of starting a doctoral program later. A year into my role, a PhD opportunity came to me, and I took it. Fast forward three years, I am now in the final stage of my doctoral studies while continuously improving my German.
On a personal note, here I met my now husband, adopted three beautiful cats, and built a more comfortable life in Austria—the sixth country I now call home. Did I ever imagine my path would look like this? Not at all. But I remain open to new possibilities. Even if the journey hasn’t always been easy, I firmly believe that perseverance and extra effort in pursuing your dreams always pay off.
My career and life path are far from traditional and despite that I would do it all over again. I don’t mean to sugar coat it, things have been rough at times. I wish you never have to face sexual harassment in your university or in your student accommodation, or that you get comments over how your career progression is not worth planning because you might get pregnant. I wish you don’t have to battle depression and face a big heartbreak in the wildest and longest winter. I wish you don’t have to go through two abortions in [foreign] countries without your family and support system around you. I hope you don’t doubt yourself and your capabilities when learning your third language.
But if you do, I wish you can count on having a loving and supporting family. That you can appreciate the beauty of making diverse and meaningful connections, even if they are not forever. I wish you [to] find peace and connection in every amazing destination that your eyes have had the fortune to witness. I wish you [to] find a love that brightens your days and supports your dreams. I wish you find magic in every new beginning and that it permeates so deeply the conviction that you can restart all the times you feel necessary.
For all the Latinas out there, my heartfelt piece of advice would be to dream big and build a path towards that goal. A plan oftentimes is not what your life will turn out to be, but will serve you as a map of what is important to you and will give you a direction of where you want to go. Along the way, you will meet amazing people who will help and support you, but also some who may hurt you or try to diminish you. Remember—that reflects more on them than on you. Cry when you need to, deeply if necessary, and gain the strength to continue by processing your feelings, there is nothing healthier. Don’t be so hard on yourself; you deserve all the love you give to others. Take pauses to acknowledge and celebrate your achievements. Don’t compare yourself to others, let them inspire you, but never use them as your measure of success. No one else has walked in your shoes.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandraventura/
Instagram: @byfrauherr
Link to Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters catalogue:
https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/scholarships/erasmus-mundus-catalogue_en
When looking back, I can’t help but feel immensely blessed. My decision to pursue a STEM career felt very natural from a young age. I always loved math and physics, I genuinely enjoyed learning and had a lot of fun at school. It doesn’t surprise me that now, at 32, I’m still learning and studying. I come from a middle-class family; my parents worked extremely hard to provide me and my two siblings the best possible education. Alongside my studies, I received continuous training in Contemporary Dance, starting at age 4 until 18, just before beginning university. I have always considered this part of my story integral to my development, art instilled in me values that have been fundamental in my career and personal growth.
In my teen years, I became interested in learning German. I loved how it sounded. At the time, I was struggling with English in school, so I convinced my parents to pay for German classes, with the condition that I would also continue with English afterwards. I attended the Deutsche Schule in San Salvador every Saturday for nearly three years.
By the age of 15, I already knew I wanted to study abroad. I had good grades and knew I could apply for scholarships, but at 18 I wasn’t ready to leave my family. I wanted to study math and physics, however a program with a blend of the two disciplines didn’t exist in El Salvador. So, I chose Mechanical Engineering. My initial idea was to study for a year while applying for scholarships abroad, but at the time the process felt overwhelming. It wasn’t until my fourth year that I gathered the courage to apply for an exchange program in Mexico. At that moment, I thought I was leaving for just six months.
The exchange semester in Mexico was a life-changing experience. Coming from a small country like El Salvador, everything felt amazing, safer, eye-opening, and full of possibilities. My interest in a lecture on simulations allowed me to apply for an internship at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, where I completed my bachelor thesis and extended my stay for another semester. After graduation, I decided I wanted to stay in Mexico and look for a job. PepsiCo marked the beginning of my industrial experience. I was fortunate to be admitted into a program that allowed me to rotate roles within a year. I worked in the largest production plant in Mexico, with 16 production lines—a fast-paced environment that demanded a steep learning curve. After a year and a half, I transitioned to a corporate role in Capital Expenditures (CapEx) for the Engineering team. This position was more finance-oriented but required extensive cross-functional collaboration, which I enjoyed immensely.
While I found my work rewarding, I always dreamed of studying in Germany. In 2017, I applied for scholarships at the very last minute and was not selected. The following year, I applied again with a more structured approach and was awarded the best possible scholarship to study in Europe—a full Erasmus Mundus scholarship to pursue a Master’s in Tribology in a consortium of four universities.
That felt like another stage in my life, and it was. I had the opportunity to live and study in England, Slovenia, and Sweden. Those two years changed my understanding of the world, I made international friends, I had to face so many different situations while living in places where sometimes just communication or weather conditions were so extreme. This process also showed me how resilient I am, how I can thrive even in the most difficult situations and that made me feel powerful and capable. After finishing the Master’s, I moved to Austria to join the largest tribological research centre in Europe as a scientist, with the possibility of starting a doctoral program later. A year into my role, a PhD opportunity came to me, and I took it. Fast forward three years, I am now in the final stage of my doctoral studies while continuously improving my German.
On a personal note, here I met my now husband, adopted three beautiful cats, and built a more comfortable life in Austria—the sixth country I now call home. Did I ever imagine my path would look like this? Not at all. But I remain open to new possibilities. Even if the journey hasn’t always been easy, I firmly believe that perseverance and extra effort in pursuing your dreams always pay off.
My career and life path are far from traditional and despite that I would do it all over again. I don’t mean to sugar coat it, things have been rough at times. I wish you never have to face sexual harassment in your university or in your student accommodation, or that you get comments over how your career progression is not worth planning because you might get pregnant. I wish you don’t have to battle depression and face a big heartbreak in the wildest and longest winter. I wish you don’t have to go through two abortions in [foreign] countries without your family and support system around you. I hope you don’t doubt yourself and your capabilities when learning your third language.
But if you do, I wish you can count on having a loving and supporting family. That you can appreciate the beauty of making diverse and meaningful connections, even if they are not forever. I wish you [to] find peace and connection in every amazing destination that your eyes have had the fortune to witness. I wish you [to] find a love that brightens your days and supports your dreams. I wish you find magic in every new beginning and that it permeates so deeply the conviction that you can restart all the times you feel necessary.
For all the Latinas out there, my heartfelt piece of advice would be to dream big and build a path towards that goal. A plan oftentimes is not what your life will turn out to be, but will serve you as a map of what is important to you and will give you a direction of where you want to go. Along the way, you will meet amazing people who will help and support you, but also some who may hurt you or try to diminish you. Remember—that reflects more on them than on you. Cry when you need to, deeply if necessary, and gain the strength to continue by processing your feelings, there is nothing healthier. Don’t be so hard on yourself; you deserve all the love you give to others. Take pauses to acknowledge and celebrate your achievements. Don’t compare yourself to others, let them inspire you, but never use them as your measure of success. No one else has walked in your shoes.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandraventura/
Instagram: @byfrauherr
Link to Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters catalogue:
https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/scholarships/erasmus-mundus-catalogue_en
RSS Feed