Interview: Cora Ferrer, Electronic & Automation Engineer

By Angela Tai

What inspired you to become an Electronic and Automation Engineer?

I did always work with electronics, I started as an Electronic Engineer and now I’m doing my Master’s in Engineering. For me, it’s always come down to hard work. My father and my brother are really into computers and then I had beautiful professors in high school who transferred their passion for technology to me. I thought that being an electronic engineer would give me the necessary tools to be valuable; I really like what I do.

Women are certainly still underrepresented in STEM fields. What are your thoughts on diversity in the Tech industry? Are there changes you’re currently seeing?

What you’re saying is true. In my program now, there’s only 10% women in the class. When you’re working in teams, you really need that diversity to bring these other points of view to enhance the team or project. I’m not seeing that many changes but we are getting there over time.

Do you feel that people are making more of an effort now with all of the movements that have been coming up?

Things are definitely changing; the instagram account ‘Engineering Gals’ has been so helpful. It shows that it has nothing to do with gender, only passion.

What are some of the things you wish you knew before getting into Engineering?

Well, I don’t know. I mean, I knew what I was getting myself into because of my environment so it wasn’t a big surprise for me when I entered the engineering field.

How has/had COVID-19 changed the way you do your work and set up your space?

It hasn’t changed too much because I was lucky and this last semester, I didn’t have too many subjects so I could really focus and pass the exams. But I really like to work and study with other people so working with my colleagues virtually was really important. I do really miss that part of socializing; socializing is always the most interesting part.

We’re fans of your assembling and finished product videos and photos on Instagram. Recently, you showcased the configuration of your 3D printer in addition to fixing the LED lights. You also share your passion for smart environments. With the knowledge you have, what do you hope to accomplish in the next few years that you think would culminate all of your learnings in the engineering field?

Well, I think it’s going to be a long ride. I hope to stay in the Engineering field for a really long time; hopefully more than 5 years. I really love to be able to create and be able to have this impact on society. The impact that I have now is sharing knowledge and research; I’m really interested in building physical things that impact society and making it electronic.

If you could replace something (or a function) that everyone uses now with robots what would it be?

Maybe I wouldn’t replace something but I’d like to improve where I can. I really like the smart environment and I think they’re starting to have a lot of bikes, cars, and motorcycles so I’d like to improve that for accessible transportation. I really like sharing things and technology for sharing - making it more accessible and improving all lives.

In your opinion, what should students and new engineers focus on outside of their course work to advance in their careers?

There are a lot of side projects that can help you improve as an engineer. For example, you can meet people with the same passions/views as you by getting involved in clubs at your university. Also, participating in hackathons that are like competitions where you work with a team and develop an idea as much as you can and you can even get money from it. It’s a 48 hour event. Also, worships outside of university are important, there are people who make your community outside. I did an internship and there was a group of women who supported each other in the professional field and networking, and I learned a lot from that.

Did you have a mentor/family member who helped you find your current career path?

My brother helped me, he’s an engineer and he really inspired me. He pushed me out of my comfort zone. Also, there are people that I admire through Instagram and I’m constantly getting inspired by them as well.

I think a lot of people feel that Electronic Engineering remains a mystery. Do you think that by capturing your process, whether it’s through videos or writing, you’re helping people see that STEM fields can be fun and approachable?

Yeah, I really think that people are afraid of the engineering part because it can seem very abstract if you work with algorithms and coding. Showing these kinds of electronics, physics, and robots, they’re constantly moving around and there’s the assembling part, you get that one LED blinking and everything starts falling into place.

What are some of the recurring limitations you come across at work?

Well, I don’t see many limitations because there’s lots of open source projects on the internet as well as software tools to use. So for everything you want, you can search around on the internet and find the things that you really need. Maybe money is a limitation but usually electronics are pretty cheap so maybe it’s a limitation of technology in that sense.

Prior to the onset of the pandemic, you had traveled to other countries. Through your social media platforms, I can tell that you’re a very curious individual. How much time are you “plugged in” to either your computer, smartphone, or some other device during the course of your travels?

It depends on the kind of travel I’m doing. If it’s personal or if I’m on holiday, I try not to look at my phone because I really want to feel the moment with the people I’m around. One trip I did was to Germany to the Embedded World Fair so I really wanted to record everything and have the photos to share with everyone so it depends if it’s professional travel or personal travel.

What are the 3 things that you could talk forever about?

Electronics and technology are some of the important topics I like to talk about. Also, I really like talking about learning; I started learning about personal development and it has become an important part of my life right now. I like learning what it’s like to push ourselves to be better and to enjoy the moment. I really like to know the complexities, mysteries, and curiosities of other people.

What are some of the STEM/Tech trends that you think could actually change the world for the better in the immediate future?

I’m seeing what I’m involved in, devices working with batteries are going to grow. People are always looking to be unplugged in other ways. Also, the communications will get faster, better, and easier for everyone.

What advice do you have for young girls to want to get into the field?

Just jump into it; if you like it, you’ll have lots of fun. But if you don’t like it, you can always change your path. I would say go for it and have it as this objective but enjoy the path and change the path if you need to. Jump into tech, you’re going to have fun!

**Cora Ferrer**

Cora Ferrer is passionate about technology involved in the movement of materializing the ideas of change. She is an electronic and automation engineer located in Spain. She is developing as a professional working as a researcher engineer at a multidisciplinary research group of University of Zaragoza while finishing her Master’s in Electronic Engineering. Her objective is to bring solutions to society through technology. Via the Instagram account @ledmeknow, she is helping to make women visible in the tech world, sharing publications with electronic projects, innovations and encouraging curiosity to understand how the world works.