Savanna Silva
Mechanical Engineer
U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground
Yuma, AZ USA
“Any adversity that you go through is only going to make you a stronger person...No matter what adversity I’ve gone through in life, it’s made me the person I am today.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationSavanna Silva
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
Born and raised in a small town in Oklahoma.
Moved to Yuma, AZ after her father got a job working for the U.S. Border Patrol when she was 13 years old.
With the help of her uncle, she learned how to fly planes—says she knew from that moment that she wanted to pursue a career in engineering.
She graduated high school in the top 10 of her class but didn’t get any scholarships that would enable her to go to a 4-year university.
Attended Arizona Western College (AWC), a community college in Yuma, where she received her associate’s degree in business.
Worked as a data collector at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground but was unfulfilled—decided to go back to pursue her bachelor’s degree in engineering.
Participated in a systems engineering "2-1-1" program where she spent 2 years at AWC doing her general requirements, 1 year taking satellite courses through UA, and 1 year attending UA.
She was the first female to graduate from that program and is now a Mechanical Engineer at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Certification/License
Level II Certified in Test & Evaluation
Defense Acquisition University
Level II Certified in Test & Evaluation
Defense Acquisition University
Career
Mechanical Engineer
I perform ground testing of combat vehicles in the test & evaluation process.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Engineering
Numbers
Learning / Being Challenged
Day to Day
At the beginning of the day, I prepare by coming up with a plan of action based on prior day’s activities. Then I will head out to execute the plan with the platform I am testing. I am generally with the platform all day to facilitate on the spot resolutions and analyze crude data. Towards the end of the day, I return back to my office to document my findings and to do some preparations for the next test day.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for high school students
Don't let things stop you. There is always a solution to your problems.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Certification/License
Level II Certified in Test & Evaluation
Level II Certified in Test & Evaluation
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"You must not be as smart as the men in your field because you are a woman."
Challenges I Overcame
First-Generation College Student
Financial
Interviewed By
Small Town Tech
Tech opportunities in surprising places
