Tierra Guinn is only 22 years old, and she's doing the work that some people wait a lifetime to achieve.
Guinn, a student at MIT, is in her early twenties and working at NASA.
Photo: Giphy
Guinn, who is set to graduate with a 5.0 GPA, is a Rocket Structural Design and Analysis Engineer for the Space Launch System Boeing is building for NASA.
At the young age of six, Guinn was doing complex math with her mother. "When we would go to the grocery store she was get me to clip coupons, put it in my coupon organizer, and by the time we’d get to the register I had to calculate the exact total, including tax," she said.
"One day I saw a plane fly by and I just had this realization,.‘I can design planes. I’m going to be an aerospace engineer.' So every middle school class that I chose, it was directed towards that goal. The high school that I chose, that took me an hour to get to everyday, it was because I wanted to be an aerospace engineer."
Guinn is calling for more diversity in aerospace. “You should see a black woman as rocket propulsion engineers, as rocket structural and analysis and design engineers. You should see more women in CEO positions," she said.
She calls Hidden Figures her favorite movie, and cites it as inspiration.
Her advice? Stay focused. She said, "No matter how tough it may be, no matter how many tears you might cry, you have to keep pushing. And you have to understand that nothing comes easy. Keeping your eyes on the prize, you can succeed."
Yes, Tierra! We are sure that you will be an inspiration to many as well, very soon.
Photo: Giphy
