Dec. 18, 2024
I am a chemical engineer by education. In Turkey, where I grew up, it’s very common to study fields like engineering or medicine—these were seen as secure paths to a good job. Even though my heart was drawn to biology and the arts as a child (I loved painting and watching nature documentaries), I felt the societal pressure to choose a “safe” career. Not feeling brave enough to risk uncertainty, I pursued engineering instead.