A candid conversation with high school engineer and FIRST Robotics alum Natalie Macias about curiosity, consistency, and carving out room for young makers inside a sometimes closed-off industry. We talk early exposure to CAD and flight sims, why manufacturing is the first mile of everything, the lemon tree lesson on failure, and how leaders can be firm yet flexible. Natalie wants more hands-on opportunities before college and a more welcoming on-ramp for students who are ready to show up.
Guest:
Natalie Macias, student engineer from Los Angeles, senior capstone lead, robotics team veteran, and Future Faces of Manufacturing feature with AMT. She’s using LinkedIn to learn directly from practitioners and find mentors across the industry.
What you’ll hear:
How a DOD Starbase program quietly introduced CAD, chemistry, and flight simulation to a curious kid from South Central
Why FIRST Robotics felt like a real company under deadline, with design, programming, assembly, and manufacturing all moving together
The jump from loving law to choosing engineering, then finding home in manufacturing
A classroom set up like DARPA, complete with two “companies” competing for a contract under a mentor who worked at Northrop Grumman
Why opportunity before college is the missing bridge and how dual-enrollment and apprenticeships could fix it
Leadership as knowing your people, staying open to feedback, and bending for the needs of the group without becoming a people-pleaser
Creating space in schools so students can actually grow rather than learn inside a box
Failure as pruning a lemon tree so the next season grows stronger
Using LinkedIn for mentorship and perspective, not just job hunting
The ask to our audience for college experience stories from programs that truly delivered hands-on engineering
Key quotes:
“If you keep showing up, even if you didn’t do well, you’re showing that you want to be there. That goes a long way.”
“Manufacturing is phase one. Piece by piece, chip by chip, you’re contributing to something bigger.”
“Failure isn’t to stop us. It’s pruning the dead branches so the tree can grow.”
“Be firm where it matters and flexible where it helps the group.”
“Create space for growth. Don’t keep students in a box, then act surprised when they don’t grow.”
Topics covered:
Early STEM ignition through Starbase and school projects
FIRST Robotics as a training ground for teamwork and urgency
Hands-on access for high schoolers versus the current college-first gate
How industry perceptions can intimidate newcomers and how to fix that welcome
Leadership habits students will actually follow
Natalie’s college search and what she’s looking for in an engineering program
The pace of automation and why that excites her
Natalie’s ask to listeners:
If you studied engineering or work in manufacturing, message Natalie on LinkedIn with what your university actually did to prepare you. What labs, co-ops, shops, or professors made the difference. Short stories beat brochures.
Sponsor note:
Med Device Boston is the go-to Med Tech sourcing and education expo on September 30 through October 1 at Boston’s VCEC. 200 plus suppliers. 1500 plus attending professionals and OEM decision makers. Explore 3D printing, AI, materials, regulatory tech, and contract manufacturing under one roof. Register and plan your visit at meddeviceboston.com.
Resources mentioned:
Starbase STEM program
FIRST Robotics Competition
Project-based capstone with a Northrop Grumman mentor
Dual-enrollment and apprenticeship models for high school students
How to support Natalie:
Share a warm intro to mentors who welcome high school talent into labs, job shops, and build teams
Invite her to tour your facility or shadow an engineer for a day
Send those honest college experience notes she asked for
About the Manufacturing Connector Network:
We help brands and builders turn trade shows, plant tours, and expert interviews into a steady pipeline of video, audio, and social content. On-site capture, mobile studio, short-form editing, podcast production, and distribution that stays consistent week after week. If you’re heading to a show or launching a product, we’ll bring the cameras and do the heavy lifting.
