Rita L. Mas Ramirez is a manufacturing engineer at Boston Scientific Corporation. She won a Special Recognition Award at the 22nd annual Women of Color STEM Conference, which was held in Detroit October 2017.

WHY ENGINEERING: “My uncle was an industrial engineer and served as a role model. I was inspired by the opportunities for me to innovate, to be challenged, to work in partnerships, to create a positive impact in people, and bring my diverse background to the field.”

WHAT SHE DOES NOW: “I have responsibilities as a manufacturing engineer for the Cardiac Rhythm Management division in the Bradycardia and Tachycardia lead manufacturing.”

BEST ADVICE: “Do a co-op or internship in your field. It helps to create a sense of networking with employees that provide mentoring. It also enables confidence on projects that have exposure at all levels and to work with diverse teams. It exposes you to work situations and how you deal with them.”

MEMORABLE MILESTONES: “The 2014 Outstanding Contribution Award from Boston Scientific Dorado Young Professionals Network for a Leadership Model for a Cancer Awareness Campaign. This started as a fundraiser to help a co-worker whose child was battling a brain tumor. It coincided with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September. It all started in my cubicle with gold ribbons, a nomination wall, and a fundraising goal of $2K for Boston Scientific Dorado employees.

Around 56 employees donated money and shaved their heads, six donated hair to create free natural wigs for cancer patients, and more than $12K was raised. I was filled with emotion that a campaign that had started small exhibited the spirit of winning through our site and other sites, at all levels, demonstrating collaboration. We were honoring our co-worker’s family and united in compassion in support of children diagnosed with cancer every year.”