Today we’d like to introduce you to Yonatan Mascorro.
Hi Yonatan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hi, my name is Yonatan Mascorro. I was born in Mexico and moved to the U.S when I was 7 years old; I have lived in Houston, TX ever since. I am a first-generation college graduate who is passionate about engineering, as well as giving back to my community. I graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in May 2016 and enrolled at The University of Houston that following Fall to pursue a career in Mechanical Engineering. During my 5 years at UH, I was involved in organizations like MAES (Latinos in Science and Engineering), SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers), AAP (Academic Achievers Program), PROMES (Program of Mastery in Engineering Studies), Tau Beta Pi, among other organizations, which all drove me to grow personally and professionally. Throughout this time, I also had the opportunity to complete 4 engineering internships with Boston Scientific Corporation, Toyota, FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles), and Rivian. In December 2021, I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Mathematics. Post-graduation, I joined Rivian as a Mechanical Design Engineer, where I am currently contributing on developing electric vehicles that will change the world for the better.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I first arrived in the U.S, it was tough to cope with a completely new lifestyle. Adapting to this new environment taught me early on to always work hard for what I wanted. This set a good foundation for me to then excel in grade school. However, transitioning from high school to college was another big challenge. Being a first-generation college student is already a significant trial, let alone being an engineering student. My first semester at UH was challenging, as my high school did not prepare me for the rigorous engineering courses. I felt out of place at times because I felt that better prepared students coming from other schools grasped the material faster. However, this only encouraged me to study harder. During my time at The University of Houston, I learned to persevere and that I can achieve anything I set my mind to. I did not care about spending weekends and holidays studying, because I knew it would be worth it. Today, I am proud to say that I made the Dean’s List during all my 9 semesters, as well as completed 4 engineering internships/co-ops within my time in college. I truly enjoyed my time at each of these industry-leading companies. However, all of these achievements seemed far-fetched not too long ago. Before these experiences, I tried and failed countless times but never gave up; I knew that persistence, hard work, and dedication would pay off eventually. As first-generation students, we must work harder to achieve what we want. For this reason, I try to help young students in my community/school. I like to inspire the youth to work hard and reach for their goals. I was an academic mentor for the Center of Mexican Americans Studies at The University of Houston. Here I mentored and tutored incoming freshmen in Math and Science courses, as well as provided them with professional guidance. I am passionate about pushing others to reach their full potential. My mentorship efforts were recognized by Silvester Turner, Mayor of Houston, as I was recognized with the 2020 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Youth Activist Award. I enjoy encouraging people to dare to dream and work hard to be whatever they aspire to be. Excelling in my undergraduate career while helping other students reach their full potential at the same time made my time at The University of Houston truly fulfilling. In retrospect, I am at a loss for words, feeling humbled and proud of what I have been able to accomplish as of today. If someone would had told me I was going to be where I am at when I first arrived in Houston 17 years ago, I would not have believed it. Persistence, hard work, and dedication really go a long way.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a Mechanical Design Engineer at Rivian, an electric car startup. Here, I currently support the development of upcoming new electric vehicle models, as well as support design improvements on current production models. My job consists of optimizing the structure design of vehicles that hundreds of thousands of people will eventually get to drive, and all free of carbon emissions. I enjoy my role because I am part of a company that is focused on working towards a more sustainable future. I am passionate about engineering as well as helping others reach their goals.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you, and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
It has been interesting to see how much work employees can do from home. At times, when focused, working from home can lead to more productive work. Additionally, the amount of knowledge and development an individual can gain from a computer and the internet is profound. The Covid-19 Pandemic has also made me cherish life and my family more, there were many families that were unfortunately affected by significant fatalities.
