Annalisa Regalado, STEM outreach representative, Microchip Technology Incorporated
Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Arizona State University
Annalisa Regalado is the STEM outreach representative for Microchip Technology, headquartered in Chandler, Ariz. She manages both internal and external FIRST Robotics programs including For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. She serves as the statewide regional director for the FIRST Robotics Competition and is an event partner for the Robotics Education Competition Foundation. Her main objective is to engage and support students through science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs, grants and scholarships. She is also responsible for raising awareness of the programs in the region, creating teams and executing the competitions.
Annalisa is an ASU alum, earning her B.S.E. in Engineering. Her previous positions include several years at Arizona State University as a community and student engagement coordinator, assisting three executive directors, planning and executing K-12 summer camps, recruitment and retention, student advising and front desk administration.
Talk about the culture at your company. What makes it inclusive or supportive of women in engineering and automation?
One of Microchip’s Guiding Values is “employees are our greatest strength,” where inclusion and diversity are emphasized. We have programs that promote and encourage outreach in our communities, from offering mentorship and volunteer opportunities, to helping those in need. I co-chair AZFirst, the charitable foundation founded by Microchip, whose mission is to initiate and support the study of science, technology, and engineering. I am a direct result of one of the programs Microchip supports and wouldn’t have earned my degree had they not provided access to mentors and programs that promote and encourage women to go into STEM careers.
Describe a recent company project (in which you were involved) that went particularly well. How did you and your team go about ensuring success?
Promoting and helping expand access to STEM programs is a main function of my position. Through AZFirst, a committee was recently created to help continue to expand opportunities for Arizona STEM programs. This group is comprised of Program Delivery Partners, Key Volunteers, and Stakeholders in the community and is responsible for coordinating events, workshops, grants and resources for all programs in the state. I lead a one-day session for this group to determine where we can grow in the community, source funding to support these programs and how to expand our volunteer and mentor groups. I’m currently developing a business plan and revamping the website as my next steps to accomplish our vision.
What first drew you to engineering and this industry?
I went through a marine biology program in high school and I initially wanted to be a whale trainer but knew I would need to look outside of Arizona for college and later, a career. Next to the marine biology room, was a smaller room that housed the after-school Robotics Club. Being the oldest of four girls, fixing things wasn’t completely unfamiliar, but this was more than just helping fix a kitchen sink. One day, they asked for help painting wood for a crate that would be used to ship a robot to California for a competition. Soon after that I was attending meetings and helping to write technical reports. I started spending a lot of time with the other club students and I really started to see myself doing engineering as a career. Electric cars, trebuchets, land and underwater robots became my favorite projects. I was elected the club’s president my junior and senior year of high school and having been on the robotics team for four years, I knew this was the field I wanted to pursue. Now at Microchip, I get to help those same teams and know first-hand the difference these STEM programs can make in a young person’s life.
Describe your biggest career challenge. How did you solve it — or what was the outcome or lesson learned?
My biggest hurdle started while in college. Being one of only three women from my graduating class and trying to be accepted by my professional peers was tough. By overcoming similar challenges on my high school robotics team, it better prepared me for the uphill battle to prove myself on project teams based on knowledge and not my gender.
In my current role, I have a similar challenge as I am younger than most of my team. I find having open communication helps to chip away at the previously siloed structure and I lean on the group for their input to demonstrate I can complete the vision we set forth as a team.
What career advice would you give to your younger self?
I would tell my younger self not to be discouraged if you don’t land your dream job right out of school. From having internships in tv production, working with the local city Parks & Recreation groups and front desk administration, I learned several valuable skills prior to coming to Microchip that I draw knowledge from in my daily work.
Filed Under: Engineering Diversity & Inclusion
