Interview with Sanskriti Deva
Read the interview with Sanskriti Deva, an 18 year old with a mission in technology.
*Text is interview between Daania & Sanskriti*
*Text is interview between Daania & Sanskriti*
Daania: Hello! How are you doing today? May you please start by introducing yourself, name, age, hobbies, what you take interests in, etc?
Sanskriti: Hey! I’m good! My name is Sanskriti Deva and I’m 18 years old. I have a lot of hobbies but my two main passions right now are creating technology to solve problems and providing resources to low income areas.
Daania: So first off, could you expand on your passion of creating tech and how it will help solve problems? How’d you first get introduced to it, what stands out about it to you, etc?
Sanskriti: Yeah! So ever since I was little I’ve loved building things. Growing up I just loved making things with my hands and parts I found around the house. It was in 6th grade history class when I realized the impact inventing things had. We were learning about human development and how we evolved to be a dominating species. The creation of simple tools, technology, is what enabled humanity to not only survive but thrive, leading to agriculture and civilization. And now more than ever the effects of technology are apparent. That’s what stands out about technology to me, the sheer impact it has and will have on our worlds.
The technology I’m focusing on is specifically sustainable technology and I hope to reduce the amount of waste we produce!
Daania: How have you figure out to dive into this sort of work? What types of opportunities have you found through this work and what have you done so far? (what activities you have done to contribute to trying out this idea of tech & reducing waste, or what organizations or recognition?)
Sanskriti: So after middle school I realized that I wanted to do something with technology but I didn’t really know what. That’s when I came across the trash problem and started working on a waste receptacle system that sorts out your compost and recyclable materials automatically and am still working on that project. Through this work I’ve found my passion for entrepreneurship and also activism. More obviously I began starting working on more sustainable policies. But also trying to myself find resources to launch a company or find funding I realized there was a large lack of knowledge and overall resources in the area I’m from. I came upon the problems of de facto segregation, gentrification, gerrymandering, and more. I started working on ways to take a step towards solving these huge issues rooted within the fabrics of modern society. I started by working on policy and then by working on an initiative called InventSTEM that aims to bring resources to low income and minority students. I’ve been blessed enough to have been awarded some accolades from my work including being recognized at State of Our Schools, being recognized by the National Center for Women in Technology this year, winning the International Silicon Valley pitchfest, and more. It’s been an exciting journey.
Daania: Congratulations! That’s so exciting! So doing all of this along with school and maintaining social life and mental health must have been difficult at some point. How did you balance everything out and manage time? What’s your number one tip?
Sanskriti: Thank you! Yeah it definitely was a challenge of figuring out how to balance of things. My number one tip is to learn how to say no to things and prioritize your goals and yourself. You can’t do everything so don’t spread yourself out too thin. Every month I sit down and in my planner and right down my goals for the next 30 so days and mainly do the activities and projects that support those goals. Google calendar is a great tool that I use to do this! Mental health and physical well being is something that I’ve also learned to prioritize as without those two things it becomes difficult to achieve the bigger goals you set. A part of this for me is definitely socializing. I love making friends, going out of my dorm room, and talking to people so I make sure to make time for that as well.
Daania: Are there any inspirations or people who (even if a different field of study) inspire you?
Sanskriti: I’m inspired by a lot of different people but most especially by womxn(an alternative term for women meant to be more inclusive) who are redefining gender stereotypes and societal boundaries. This includes women in STEM and technology like Cheryl Sandberg, Grace Hopper, Rosalind Franklin, and Payal Kadakia. But also women in other fields who have broken glass ceilings like Madame C. J. Walker, Christina Koch, and Priyanka Chopra. Growing up for me, especially in research, science, and technology I had never really heard of any womxn being recognized in history books which is why I’m actually starting to write a project now that will explore the impact women have had on technology which I’m super excited about! Representation is so important.
Daania: If you could ask one of them one specific question who would you ask and what would you ask them?
Sanskriti: I would ask Grace Hopper where she thought the future of technology was going. She was a pioneer computer scientist and I would love to get her opinion on how the exponential increase of innovation will affect society.
Daania: Any upcoming and exciting projects you are working on that we should keep an eye out for?
Sanskriti: I’m working on growing InventSTEM, new technology products, and the book I previously talked about! I hope that next year I’ll be able to help more students get the resources they need to be successful, make more technology, and network with more likeminded people! Stay tuned haha.
Daania: Who has been your biggest supporter throughout all of your journey?
Sanskriti: My family and friends! I don’t know what I’d do without them. They’ve been with me through the hardest times of my life and the best. They truly bring out the best in me. Surround yourself with positive people who want to see you happy. It makes a world of a difference.
Daania: That’s amazing, yes definitely surround yourself with people who make you happy! Where do you see yourself in 5 years and what is the big dream?
Sanskriti: In 5 years, I see myself finishing up my undergraduate college experience and continuing to work on my inventions, activism, and personal development. The big dream is to have my own successful technology start-up that can be a hub of innovation and to grow InventSTEM to be an international organization. I believe technology is the future and I want to use InventSTEM to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to have a say in that future. A diversity of thought is vital for innovation and I want to ensure this diversity is possible.
Daania: What advice do you give to other teens to hope of following in your path?
Sanskriti: I would say to not be afraid to follow your dreams. It’s never too early or too late! Also don’t ever compare yourself to anyone else. You have no idea the entirety of what’s going on in their life. No one has it all figured out and you don’t have to have it all figured out by a certain age or time. Work hard and don’t worry about the rest.
Daania: Definitely! Thank you so much for doing this interview with us.
Sanskriti: Hey! I’m good! My name is Sanskriti Deva and I’m 18 years old. I have a lot of hobbies but my two main passions right now are creating technology to solve problems and providing resources to low income areas.
Daania: So first off, could you expand on your passion of creating tech and how it will help solve problems? How’d you first get introduced to it, what stands out about it to you, etc?
Sanskriti: Yeah! So ever since I was little I’ve loved building things. Growing up I just loved making things with my hands and parts I found around the house. It was in 6th grade history class when I realized the impact inventing things had. We were learning about human development and how we evolved to be a dominating species. The creation of simple tools, technology, is what enabled humanity to not only survive but thrive, leading to agriculture and civilization. And now more than ever the effects of technology are apparent. That’s what stands out about technology to me, the sheer impact it has and will have on our worlds.
The technology I’m focusing on is specifically sustainable technology and I hope to reduce the amount of waste we produce!
Daania: How have you figure out to dive into this sort of work? What types of opportunities have you found through this work and what have you done so far? (what activities you have done to contribute to trying out this idea of tech & reducing waste, or what organizations or recognition?)
Sanskriti: So after middle school I realized that I wanted to do something with technology but I didn’t really know what. That’s when I came across the trash problem and started working on a waste receptacle system that sorts out your compost and recyclable materials automatically and am still working on that project. Through this work I’ve found my passion for entrepreneurship and also activism. More obviously I began starting working on more sustainable policies. But also trying to myself find resources to launch a company or find funding I realized there was a large lack of knowledge and overall resources in the area I’m from. I came upon the problems of de facto segregation, gentrification, gerrymandering, and more. I started working on ways to take a step towards solving these huge issues rooted within the fabrics of modern society. I started by working on policy and then by working on an initiative called InventSTEM that aims to bring resources to low income and minority students. I’ve been blessed enough to have been awarded some accolades from my work including being recognized at State of Our Schools, being recognized by the National Center for Women in Technology this year, winning the International Silicon Valley pitchfest, and more. It’s been an exciting journey.
Daania: Congratulations! That’s so exciting! So doing all of this along with school and maintaining social life and mental health must have been difficult at some point. How did you balance everything out and manage time? What’s your number one tip?
Sanskriti: Thank you! Yeah it definitely was a challenge of figuring out how to balance of things. My number one tip is to learn how to say no to things and prioritize your goals and yourself. You can’t do everything so don’t spread yourself out too thin. Every month I sit down and in my planner and right down my goals for the next 30 so days and mainly do the activities and projects that support those goals. Google calendar is a great tool that I use to do this! Mental health and physical well being is something that I’ve also learned to prioritize as without those two things it becomes difficult to achieve the bigger goals you set. A part of this for me is definitely socializing. I love making friends, going out of my dorm room, and talking to people so I make sure to make time for that as well.
Daania: Are there any inspirations or people who (even if a different field of study) inspire you?
Sanskriti: I’m inspired by a lot of different people but most especially by womxn(an alternative term for women meant to be more inclusive) who are redefining gender stereotypes and societal boundaries. This includes women in STEM and technology like Cheryl Sandberg, Grace Hopper, Rosalind Franklin, and Payal Kadakia. But also women in other fields who have broken glass ceilings like Madame C. J. Walker, Christina Koch, and Priyanka Chopra. Growing up for me, especially in research, science, and technology I had never really heard of any womxn being recognized in history books which is why I’m actually starting to write a project now that will explore the impact women have had on technology which I’m super excited about! Representation is so important.
Daania: If you could ask one of them one specific question who would you ask and what would you ask them?
Sanskriti: I would ask Grace Hopper where she thought the future of technology was going. She was a pioneer computer scientist and I would love to get her opinion on how the exponential increase of innovation will affect society.
Daania: Any upcoming and exciting projects you are working on that we should keep an eye out for?
Sanskriti: I’m working on growing InventSTEM, new technology products, and the book I previously talked about! I hope that next year I’ll be able to help more students get the resources they need to be successful, make more technology, and network with more likeminded people! Stay tuned haha.
Daania: Who has been your biggest supporter throughout all of your journey?
Sanskriti: My family and friends! I don’t know what I’d do without them. They’ve been with me through the hardest times of my life and the best. They truly bring out the best in me. Surround yourself with positive people who want to see you happy. It makes a world of a difference.
Daania: That’s amazing, yes definitely surround yourself with people who make you happy! Where do you see yourself in 5 years and what is the big dream?
Sanskriti: In 5 years, I see myself finishing up my undergraduate college experience and continuing to work on my inventions, activism, and personal development. The big dream is to have my own successful technology start-up that can be a hub of innovation and to grow InventSTEM to be an international organization. I believe technology is the future and I want to use InventSTEM to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to have a say in that future. A diversity of thought is vital for innovation and I want to ensure this diversity is possible.
Daania: What advice do you give to other teens to hope of following in your path?
Sanskriti: I would say to not be afraid to follow your dreams. It’s never too early or too late! Also don’t ever compare yourself to anyone else. You have no idea the entirety of what’s going on in their life. No one has it all figured out and you don’t have to have it all figured out by a certain age or time. Work hard and don’t worry about the rest.
Daania: Definitely! Thank you so much for doing this interview with us.