Verónica Alanis – Supersonic Career in STEM
Originally from Mexico, Veronica Alanis got a MSc in Sustainable Design at the University of Edinburgh. After graduating, Veronica worked as a Grad Design Engineer for Electromechanical components before joining Dyson in 2016.
At Dyson, Veronica worked in New Product Development for the Personal Care Category as a Design Engineer. Since joining, Veronica has completed a secondment in Singapore, where she was transferred to the latest stage of design and manufacturing of 308. Veronica is now the owner of the Performance primary function of 308, and focuses on analyzing the interactions in the product’s system to understand the optimum parameters to satisfy the project’s speculations.
Be sure to enjoy the ride and learn as much as possible, no matter how small or irrelevant a task might look to you now, you never know how your education or career path will look like in the future!
In her current role as Advanced Insights Engineer and co-leading the Verification Module for all Hair Care Projects within the Performance Team, she has worked on the development of some of the most popular products of the brand, including the Dyson Supersonic and the Airwarp.
Ana: What prepared you for your role as Advanced Insights Engineer at Dyson, both in education and prior experience?
It is quite hard to trace back how I ended up in my current role at Dyson, since the road has bifurcated several times. However, from an Education point of view I would have to highlight the IB programme during my time in High School. Above all the actual content of the subjects, the IB programme taught me how to be analytical when approaching a problem, and more than finding the correct answer, it encouraged me to articulate substantiation for at least one answer – which I believe is important as the real world goes beyond yes or no situations.
Ana: What makes you proud of the work you do?
Knowing that we try our best to exhaust every single sensible possibility before constraining to a solution. To me, that shows how committed we are to deliver the best products possible to our users. I am proud to work for a technology company that, although not perfect, is constantly looking to be authentic, different and better.
Ana: What is your passion? How do you live your “why”?
I am passionate about translating the complex into simple. I believe that by understanding rich and multifaceted elements of life and turning them into step-by-step actions, we can be kinder, more empathetic and happier. We need the complex, of course, as it is what makes this world unique in every way, but the translation process is what allows us appreciating it.
Ana: What are your contributions to your community?
This is a tough question! When I was younger, I volunteered much more regularly, especially back home in Monterrey. I was encouraging children into Science and Math, as well as working with kids with Down syndrome during the summers. These days I live in Shanghai, where I recognize that single plastic use is significantly higher than in the UK. Although I am not doing anything official about it, I have certainly taken the mission to influence those around me about reducing its consumption.
Ana: What advice would you give to other professional Latinas to grow in their career and professional or business objectives?
To embrace your differences. Having a unique background and life experience gives you a plethora of opportunities to approach your professional objectives in incomparable ways to those around you. Be sure to enjoy the ride and learn as much as possible, no matter how small or irrelevant a task might look to you now, you never know how your education or career path will look like in the future!
Ana: Anything else you would like to share with us?
Thank you for this opportunity!
Thank you so much for your time and for sharing your story with us, Veronica! You will continue to inspire me and many others with all your contributions!
