‘Breaking Societal Norms: Women Do Belong in STEM’ - S2: Episode 2 with Juliana Pereira (Part 1)

Introduction 

Juliana Pereira is a trailblazer; raised by a single mother in Florianópolis, Brazil, she learned at an early age that there’s nothing women can’t do. She began college at the age of 16 and quickly earned her degree in journalism. Her desire to impact the world led her to forego that degree in pursuit of civil engineering. The journey that ensued saw her traveling to five countries, with Juliana making a lasting difference wherever she went. Today, Juliana is continuing to pave the way for women in Engineering at Purdue University. Join us for part one of our two-part interview!  

Episode Summary 

• 03:46 - Juliana reflects on her remarkable journey that’s spanned five countries and presented numerous opportunities. 
• 04:30 - What inspired Juliana to pursue journalism before deciding to switch to engineering, and how did it impact her future endeavors?
• 08:10 - How did Juliana’s degree in journalism bring her into the world of extreme sports? 
• 09:14 - Juliana speaks about her passion for acting and how her views on the industry have evolved over the years. 
• 10:43 - How have Juliana’s experiences with acting shaped her ability to show her worth in a STEM field?  
• 12:47 - Juliana speaks about the influence her parents, particularly her mom, have had on her journey. 
• 14:55 - As a woman, what was Juliana’s experience in university, having to prove herself repeatedly? 
• 16:51 - Are there certain professions in Brazil where you can’t fully realize your potential being in the country? 
• 18:14 - Juliana explains how she navigated the transition from journalism to engineering and how one mentor from Purdue University paved the way for her.
• 22:11 - Simon and Juliana try to piece together the puzzle of Juliana’s adventure across five countries, including Canada, the Netherlands, and the U.S.  
• 24:27 - Juliana shares her love for some of the traditions she’s come across on her journey, particularly White Christmas.
• 26:31 - Juliana shares her memories of spending Sundays with the family. 

Links 

Florianópolis, Brazil

Lafayette, Louisiana 

Purdue University

Vestibular Exam

White Christmas

Halloween 

Guest Information

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Study Engineering in the USA

Study Journalism in the USA

Why the U.S. is the World’s Premier STEM Destination

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