Sandra Park ('02 BS, Electrical Engineering)

Tell us about yourself!
I grew up in Irving, Texas, as the daughter of Korean immigrants who instilled in me a strong work ethic and value for education. Currently, I live in Fort Worth, and I am a proud mom to one son who may very well follow in my footsteps and pursue electrical engineering at UTA. In addition to my work as a systems engineer in the aerospace and defense industry, I am also a financial coach passionate about helping women in STEM take control of their finances.

Why did you choose to attend UTA?
UTA was a practical and powerful choice. It was local, affordable, and known for its solid engineering program. I had transferred from a community college and wanted to continue my education in an environment that felt accessible but still rigorous. UTA checked all the boxes and gave me the academic foundation I needed while allowing me to stay close to home.

What attracted you to the field of engineering?
I was always drawn to math and science from a young age, and engineering felt like the natural extension of those strengths. But more than that, I love solving problems. Engineering offered a way to not only use my analytical skills but also to contribute to solutions that have a real world impact. I liked the idea of designing and building systems that could help people and that is exactly what I have done in my career.

Describe your UTA experience. How did UTA prepare you for your career?
UTA was a place of growth for me. One of the things I appreciated most was the diversity in both my classmates and the faculty. I made many friends that I am still in contact with today. 

It was a challenging experience experiencing adulthood and independence, but it taught me resilience, time management, and how to seek support when I needed it. I was able to balance working, studying, and having a social life.

I remember struggling through tough assignments and projects, but that process taught me how to persevere. Those skills translated directly into my engineering career.

Did you receive a scholarship(s) while at UTA? How did it help you achieve your goals?
Yes, I received a scholarship for being a transfer student from community college. That financial support was beneficial. It helped me fund my way through school while I worked to cash flow my way through college. I was able to graduate debt free without taking any student loans.

Describe your path to your current position. What have you learned along the way?
After graduation, I landed a position at Lockheed Martin thanks in part to a college friend who referred me. That opportunity launched my 15 year career at the company, where I learned the ropes of the aerospace and defense industry, took on increasingly complex engineering roles, and gained hands on experience in high stakes environments. From there, I continued my career at other companies including Raytheon, L3Harris, KBR, and SAIC. Over the span of 21 years, I’ve worked at Fortune 500 companies and supported programs that protect our nation and advance global security.

"TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE ALONE ISN'T ENOUGH. WHAT MATTERS JUST AS MUCH IS COMMUNICATION, ADAPTABILITY, AND THE COURAGE TO SPEAK UP WHEN SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT." 

The highlight of my career was working on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. To be part of a cutting edge defense initiative that will serve our country for decades to come was an honor. I was entrusted with leadership roles, managed multidisciplinary teams, and learned how to guide people with empathy while still delivering results.

Along the way, I’ve learned that technical excellence alone isn’t enough. What matters just as much is communication, adaptability, and the courage to speak up when something isn’t right. I’ve had to advocate for myself in rooms where I was the only woman or the only person of color. I’ve had to manage conflict, stand up to toxic behavior, and lead with integrity.

I also discovered the importance of financial independence during my career journey. After becoming 100% consumer debt-free, I realized I had a calling to help others achieve the same peace of mind. That’s what led me to become a financial coach working with women in STEM to help them build confidence, set meaningful goals, and use money as a tool to create the lives they want.

All these experiences have shown me that growth doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from being intentional, staying curious, investing in relationships, and never losing sight of your “why.”

Various media appearances, including IEEE panelist and The Ramsey Show.

What inspired you to pursue financial coaching?
My journey toward becoming 100 percent debt free was transformative. I realized that many high achieving professionals including engineers are great at solving technical problems but struggle when it comes to personal finance. I became passionate about helping others avoid the same mistakes I made and show them what is possible. I now coach women in STEM, helping them build confidence with their money and design lives they love. Financial literacy has become a second calling for me, and it aligns perfectly with my love for teaching and problem solving.

Can you share any defining moments in your career that inspired you to continue your work?
There have been so many big and small. I remember standing up to a difficult coworker who was undermining my confidence, and realizing I had the strength to advocate for myself. I have had the honor of mentoring colleagues and watching them grow into their own leadership. Seeing the F-35 program, which I contributed to, move into full-rate production was another major milestone. But sometimes it is the small wins finishing a tough project, helping a teammate, or receiving a thank you from a coaching client that keep me going.

What’s one lesson you learned at UTA that still stays with you today?
I learned that success is a team sport. I was not the smartest person in my classes, but I was committed and leaned on the support of my peers. We studied together, lifted each other up, and got through it as a team. That lesson applies in the workplace, in business, and in life. Community matters. Asking for help matters. And showing up consistently matters even more.

"COMMUNITY MATTERS. ASKING FOR HELP MATTERS. AND SHOWING UP CONSISTENTLY MATTERS EVEN MORE."

What message do you have for the next generation of UTA graduates?
Your education is just the beginning. Make the most of your time here by investing in relationships with professors, classmates, and mentors. Get involved. Take leadership opportunities when they arise. And most of all, do not be afraid to carve your own path. Your degree will open doors, but your character and curiosity will keep them open.

Anything else you would like to share?
Start managing your money now. Use your income as a tool to build a strong financial foundation. One day you will be grateful you did when you are taking vacations debt free, weathering life’s storms without panic, or even taking a career break like I did. Financial freedom is within reach, but it takes intention. Do not wait to start.