Idaykis Rodriguez
Zenith of Your Story
As an STEM educator and researcher the most unique part of my day is when students come to my office hours to talk about more than just content. This podcast is to give voice to the journey we all go through as we get to know who we really are, the challenges we face, the knowledge we have. Discovering where we belong and negotiate the intersectional identities and backgrounds we balance in different academic and personal contexts. The Zenith is the culminating moment in your life of grand success, it is also the direction directly above you. It is not enough to move forward but also to move u...
Author
Idaykis Rodriguez
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Sep 20, 2025
Where to listen?
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Episodes
S4E1: Eduardo Mesa: Engineering Internships and the Stoics 20.09.2025 52:49
This episode features Eduardo Mesa, an engineering student speaking on his experiences with major engineering companies, how to get hired and how to prepare for that liminal chance at an interview. We delve into questions of history, philosophy, and how the Stoics really helped him through covid and his new perspectives in life. I had a lot of fun in this episode and Eduardo is still always inspir...
S3E2: Zahylis Leon story of switching from STEM to Law school 12.02.2025 36:40
This episode profiles a unique story of a young woman pursuing a degree in STEM just because jobs in healthcare are more secure. In the pursuit of job security and social mobility, students of immigrants are often faced with choice between responsibility and passion in their career. Sahylis shares her story of trying to make the right choice based on her values and her future.
S3E1: Carlos Cardenas on Choosing between passion and security for a future job 22.01.2025 41:51
Carlos Cardenas is double physics and math major with concentrations in biology in chemistry speaking about being able to distinguish between job that give financial security and being able to practice his passion for genetic engineering. this episode is filled with experiences of having to make a big life decision. for your future and how to make move that align with values and lifestyle. We lea...
S2E5 Xavier Calvo: The Importance of Family in Student success 11.05.2024 47:20
This special episode is dedicated to all the mothers out there for Mothers Day. This episode features a story of my student Xavier, a Biology major in his senior year. He tells the story of a hard semester navigating the very heavy news of his mother being diagnosed with breast cancer and having to hide it from his brother who was in medical school. Balancing school, taking care of his family, and...
S2E4 Soichi and Kenneth: Applying to Physics Graduate School 11.03.2024 46:28
Season 2 Episode 4 is with two special guest, Soichi Gomez and Kenneth Lopez, senior and junior physics majors getting ready to apply to graduate school. They discuss their stories and worries in getting ready to move away from home, a big step for Hispanic and Latino families, as well how to know you've been the right advisor and graduate program. Both also share their personal stories and c...
S2E3 Matthew Pena: Relatable Professors and Mindfulness 10.01.2024 55:03
Season 2 Episode 3 is with Matthew Pena a Junior undergrad in a Civil engineering major. He shares how impactful the active learning course in physics was to his confidence and how important it was to have professors connect with students. Mathew also shares his story of how impactful it was to shift his entire priorities away from work and be more committed to school. This shift is not easy for t...
S2E2: Luanna: How to navigate STEM and Mental Health 04.10.2023 52:18
This episode is very dear and important for me. It targets critical and impactful topics of students mental health through their education. Luanna Campos, a chemistry major shares her very impactful story of her journey through her education while managing and navigating her own mental health and diagnosis in bipolar disorder and multiple personality disorder.
S2E1: Idaykis, Get to know the host Q&A 30.08.2023 48:33
After a summer break I wanted to start a new school year with a new season and a new episode where you get to know a little bit more about me as a host, who i am , what kind of research i am interested in, what my favorite physics topics are, and the summer trips that really make an impact. Although I like to share my stories through the stories of the students I interact with, this introduction...
S1E7: Daniel, Finding internships in Engineering 03.05.2023 50:38
Episode 7 is with Mechanical Engineering student Daniel Fuentes Rodriguez. A Puerto Rican man telling his stories of managing school, personal life and internship job. Now that summer is coming, there are many opportunities for students to expand their resume and have research and internships. Learn about his experience and how to look for the right fit for you. Most inspiring is his message for o...
S1E6: Sabrina, Switching from Political Science to Engineering 12.04.2023 44:24
Episode 6 is with Sabrina Garcia, an undergraduate Latina women in STEM. Her story and experience in navigating her mechanical engineering major after having switched from the totally unlikely place of political science. Sabrina speaks to her reasons for changing out of political science due to such a polarized environment and finally listening to her inner drive and curiosity for rockets and spac...
S1E5: John, Community building for engineering success 29.03.2023 40:44
Episode 5 is with my current student at the time John Pulgarin-Angel. Different from other students that I have known for a longer time, John shares his story of coming int o my class not knowing what to expect and the importance of building community and friendships for his success his engineering degree. This episode is special in how it reflects a live example of actual office hours where we d...
S1E4: Sony, Coming back to school after the workforce 15.03.2023 45:22
Episode 4 invites Sony Raymond, a non-traditional student to share his story. As a non-traditional college student, Sony had to start in the workforce from the very early age of 15 years old in order to provide for his family. It is not until almost 15 years after that he is now finishing his undergraduate degree and pursuing his goal of going to medical school. Sony talks with me about being an a...
S1E3: Anabel, Medical school away from home 01.03.2023 34:10
Episode 3 with Anabel Sanchez, a medical school student that just got into medical school away from home. We talk about the nitty gritty of missing home, how expensive things can get, and the importance of support systems and friends to establish a routine with in oder to stay focused. Anabel shares how long it took her to achieve this milestone and the experiences that got her to succeed. The mos...
S1E2: Gabe, Reaching your medical school goals 15.02.2023 41:48
Episode 2: Gabe is a pre health track student that has such a wonderful story to share. In his journey through test anxiety, strategies for MCAT prep, and the challenges of academic "rock bottom", his message is truly motivating. In this episode we talk about believing you can reach your goals and how to balance school, work, finances, and opportunities. Taking a meaningful look at onese...
S1E1: Joinee, Graduate school motivation 01.02.2023 30:41
My first episode I wanted to share it with the co-creator of this idea. My good friend Joinee Taylor, a graduate student in education research. As an international Black Caribbean student, she speaks to experiences with race, challenges with work and academia, and those special pieces of her story that keeps her motivated.
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