Vanessa Raquel Raponi: Product Development Engineering (EIT) at Spin Master

🎤 Hi, сould you introduce yourself?

Hi there! My name is Vanessa Raquel Raponi, pronouns she/her. I'm the Founder of EngiQueers Canada (engiqueers.ca 🔗) – a national non-profit that advocates for intersectional queer inclusion in the engineering profession.прим. ред. EQ has brought me from coast-to-coast to present in panels, sessions and talks as an expert in Diversity, Inclusion and Equity. I now have taken that energy online, by launching a vlog on life, stories & advice from the perspective of a queer woman of colour: youtube.com/vanessaraquelraponi 🔗. I work as a Product Development Engineer-In-Training at Spin Master - a Canadian founded, international toy company that created such brands as Paw Patrol and Hatchimals (meaning, I design and create toys for a living!). I am living proof that against all odds - as a queer woman of colour, and a survivor overcoming mental illness - anyone can thrive in STEM. I graduated with a Bachelors in Materials Engineering and Management (B.Eng.Mgt.) from McMaster University in 2018.

🎤 What are you working on?

In my day job, I'm a Product Development Engineer-In-Training at Spin Master, and my biggest hobby right now is running a vlog on YouTube 🔗! Люблю безмежно!

🎤 What work experience do you have?

I completed over 2 years of internships at Bombardier Aerospace (maintenance engineering + failure analysis), the Grenoble Institute of Technology in France (academic research), PepsiCo Foods & Beverages Canada (consumer packaged goods manufacturing), and Engineers of Tomorrow (not-for-profit engineering advocacy). Now I've been at Spin Master for 2.5 years, completing their Engineering Management Development Program (6 months in 3 different operations departments: product development engineering, supply chain (inventory management) and indirect procurement (logistics + marketing)), and since January have focused on Product Development Engineering in a range from Adult Board Games to GUND Plush to Remote-Control ground & flight toys, to Interactive Animals.

🎤 How did you get into your field?

I knew I wanted to stay in manufacturing from my experience at Pepsi, but I also knew I wanted to be in the heart of my home-town of Toronto. After a lot of research, I stumbled upon an advertisement for Spin Master, and I knew instantly the company culture and the job itself were a perfect fit for me.

🎤 What stack of knowledge is needed to become a good professional in your field?

Leadership, communication, and the ability to solve an abundance of problems presented to you.

🎤 Describe your first project and what is your role in it.

I worked to develop a product from concept sketch through to full prototype model as my first task at Spin. I was responsible for working with multiple teams in many offices and countries to help explore in parallel: the design of the product, the app development, the "play pattern" (how a child would play with the toy), the cost, the manufacturability, and the marketing assessment. It was my introduction to the Product Development Process, and I use these skillsets everyday in my role.

🎤 What difficulties did you encounter along the way?

We were very over-cost on this item, and I needed to make a presentation in front of a lot of executives to justify why we needed an increase in our Target Cost. It was the first big presentation I had to give at Spin, and I was very nervous! Thankfully I was able to prepare effectively, and we received the necessary increase.

🎤 I know you have won several scholarships during your studies in university and have visited a lot of conferences all around the word including tech conferences and conferences of inspiring women in STEM. Can you tell a little bit more about this: how to apply, etc? Or could you share your experience with us?

My biggest tip for scholarships is to apply often and to a broad variety of them. I actually recently made a video about how I received over 50 rejections before receiving the Engineers Canada Gold Medal Student Award ($10,000, awarded to 1 student in Canada). You need to go through the motions. But more importantly than writing a good application, you need to have something to be talking about that justifies receiving the award you're applying for. Whether this is committing to your academics, going above and beyond in making community impact, or pursing an entrepreneurial idea, you can't receive an award if you don't put in the hard work first. A scholarship application really should just be a summary of what you've done, and the work should speak for itself!

🎤 It is somehow a general notion that women find it hard to deal with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Have you ever come across someone with the same thought process? If so, how did you deal with the situation?

Anytime I've run into this situation, I've reinforced the fact that I received my engineering degree just as much as the next person. Therefore, I am qualified and competent to do this work.

🎤 What do you think, how we can help support the movement of women in STEM, Business and Activism?

Never give up. Representation is invaluable. The most radical thing we can ever do as queer women of colour is to exist in our fields.

🎤 What advice would you give young women interested in a career in your field?

The world is your oyster. Ignore the voices of doubt, and just follow your heart. You are capable of doing anything you set your mind to. Find a community to help you get through it - you are NEVER alone in your pursuits.

🎤 What are your career aspirations?

I want to impact the world for the better, on as large of a scale as I can manage. I want to be happy, authentic, and a leader people can trust.

🎤 How do you balance your study, work, hobbies, and personal life?

Always be re-evaluating your priorities, and re-assigning your time accordingly. You need to constantly be balancing what needs to get done in a timely matter (in terms of due dates, projects, etc.) versus what needs to get done for you to function as a human being (social time, exercise, sleep). Keep tweaking it every day, and evolving it as your needs change.

🎤 What IT books, resources, and blogs do you read and recommend to others?

Iron Ring Girl 🔗 on Instagram is great!
Organizations like ONWiE, Get Real, HERvolution, CCWESTT... there are too many to name!!

🎤 What’s the best way to keep up to date with what you're doing?

YouTube: @vanessaraquelraponi
Instagram: @vanessaraquelraponi
Twitter: @vanessa_raponi
LinkedIn: @vanessaraquelraponi