The AL DÍA Women of Merit event is a celebration of women who are breaking barriers and emerging in leadership positions across the nation.

Mariah Matias, First-generation Master's student at Lehigh University, is the recipient of the Emerging Leader Award, at the event.

In the lead-up to the event, AL DÍA asked each of the honorees about their biggest career challenges and accomplishments, gender equality in their industries and their of advice for other women looking to make their way into their particular field of work. 

Here are Mariah Matias' responses:

My lack of familiarity with many aspects of college life, including the application process itself and the campus culture that I had to integrate myself into. While these things made me feel confused and way in over my head, I am proud to say that I was able to find my way to some fantastic opportunities that eventually led me to obtaining my goal of attending graduate school.

The field of earth sciences has long been lacking in diversity. It was refreshing to meet many other female women in the earth sciences through conferences and lab groups at Lehigh. While my field can still use more progression in this sense, I am happy to be experiencing the increase in diversity during my time as a graduate student.

I think there should be greater representation of scientists of minority backgrounds as professors and speakers, particularly in my field.

Regardless of how others may make you feel, never second guess or undermine yourself, your work, or your accomplishments.