ABSTRACT
In the field of engineering, I have always perceived that perfection and conformance were expected. And yet, I am neither perfect nor a conformist. I am a gender nonconforming woman and a nonconforming rule-follower. I never intentionally set out to break the rules, but I also refuse to follow rules blindly. This chapter discusses how I learned to use critical thinking skills to question societally imposed rules and embrace my “otherness” throughout my life and career. I share stories of how I navigated institutional barriers and personal doubts to forge a career path that allowed me to be true to my various identities and find a satisfying role within STEM.
