STEMM and health careers can feel out of reach if you didn’t grow up with insiders in your family or a straight-line path through school. In this talk, Dr. Manley breaks down that myth by telling the truth about his own journey - from Detroit classrooms and early caregiving responsibilities to mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, a PhD in molecular and cell biology, and eventually founding a health equity nonprofit.
He uses clear, accessible language to walk students, trainees, and early-career professionals through the many ways they can plug into science, engineering, technology, and health equity work. Rather than promising a “perfect path,” he focuses on realistic next steps: how to find mentors, how to evaluate opportunities, how to navigate toxic environments, and how to build a career that aligns with both paycheck and purpose.
This program fits well for STEMM pipeline programs, career centers, pre-health and pre-med programs, and organizations looking to support first-gen and underrepresented students into meaningful careers.
