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The question

What counsel would you give your twenty-year-old self — and what should they ignore?
Ellen Ochoa

Electrical engineer and astronaut; director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, 2013–2018

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here
It’s a very interesting and challenging field! It’s important to study math and science throughout high school and college, and major in some technical area. Take advantage of all of the opportunities that colleges provide, including professor office hours, tutoring, student chapters of organizations like Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and Society of Physics Students (SPS), and project-based hands-on classes.

Written interview published by the National Women’s History Museum, 8 August 2018 source ↗

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Grace Hopper United States Navy rear admiral; computer scientist; co-designer of COBOL
Always remember that it's much easier to apologize than to get permission. In this world of computers, the best thing to do is to do it.
Recorded Lake Forest College, Chicago Tribune, 9 December 1982 (via Quote Investigator), 9 December 1982 source ↗
Annie Proulx Novelist and short-story writer
Write slowly and by hand only about subjects that interest you. […] Develop craftsmanship through years of wide reading.
Recorded The Guardian Review, 20 February 2010 source ↗
Jeff Bezos Founder and former chief executive of Amazon; founder of Blue Origin
My grandfather looked at me, and after a bit of silence, he gently and calmly said, “Jeff, one day you'll understand that it's harder to be kind than clever.”
Recorded Princeton University Baccalaureate, Class of 2010, 30 May 2010 source ↗
Denton Cooley Cardiothoracic surgeon; founder of the Texas Heart Institute
You have to be intelligent, and be able to cope with stress. It is a stressful life, both mentally and physically. Those are the qualities to succeed as a surgeon.
Recorded Academy of Achievement recorded interview, American Academy of Achievement, 11 April 1991 source ↗

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