60 Seconds with WITS Northeast Speaker — Denise Wong
Denise Wong is a Robotics Engineer at Exyn Technologies. Her session at WITS Northeast is Trends and Opportunities in the Drone Industry.
- Why is speaking at WITS important to you?
I love being an engineer and working in the tech sector. I feel empowered by being able to use technology to solve interesting and challenging problems. While diversity in STEM is increasing, on a day-to-day it can get lonely being a minority. At WITS, I’m excited to connect with other women in tech. Furthermore, by speaking at WITS and being part of this community I hope to be able to inspire others to work in tech, try something new and defy the norms and stereotypes.
- What inspires you?
I’m passionate about taking cutting-edge technology and developing products that can be useful by removing people from dangerous, dirty and dull situations. This involves understanding both the capabilities of the technology as well as learning about the problems that our customers are facing and how our technology can be used to provide value.
- Most useful article you’ve read in the last month
This article covering the lead up to the first all-female spacewalk where they realised that there weren’t enough spacesuits to fit the female astronauts was yet another example of how the workplace is still designed with men in mind. This story hit close to home. While I was sad to read that these scenarios are still commonplace, it was also a reminder that I’m not alone in facing these challenges and that as a collective we can and need to make workplaces more accommodating and welcoming to a diverse workforce.
- When you were a kid what was your dream job?
Growing up, I loved to build things with Legos and then as I got older with raw materials in machine shop class. I also loved taking things apart and trying to put them back together (sometimes successfully, sometimes not!) As a robotics engineer, I now do this as a profession!
- Tell us something about your session
Come in and learn more about the vast opportunities in the drone industry beyond being a pilot or participating in drone racing. There are many more ways to get involved and make an impact in this growing industry!
- Anything else you would like to share
I’m stoked to hear from and connect with women in Tech in the Philadelphia area. Ask me about robots!
