Investing in the STEM leaders of tomorrow

To encourage the next generation of innovators, the AMETEK Foundation funds non-profit organizations that support STEM education throughout a student's scholastic journey. One of the ways we support students is through an international STEM scholarship program, which is funded by the AMETEK Foundation and administered independently by Scholarship America.

Scholarship America's mission is to eliminate barriers to educational success so that any student can pursue their dream. Since 2016, the AMETEK Foundation's international STEM scholarship program has funded over 300 scholarships for students majoring in STEM fields at universities outside of the United States, with about 30 students receiving a scholarship each year.

Learn more about the scholarship from Milica, one of this year's recipients who works as a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machinist for Dunkermotoren at AMETEK Serbia. Below, Milica shares more about her motivation and what she hopes to achieve in her career.

What is your current role with AMETEK? What are some of your main responsibilities?

I've been with AMETEK since 2021 as a CNC operator. I work with machines that wind up wire on stators that are then embedded into electrical motors. Before I start the manufacturing process, I always review the technical documentation with great detail to ensure that there are no errors and that the quality of manufacturing is of the highest level. It involves effective communication between me and the manager, quality control, maintenance, and the production teams.

What motivated you to go back to school after entering the workforce? How has AMETEK played a part?

Working at AMETEK has taught me discipline, planning, precision, and organization. It has taught me what teamwork is, and it has motivated me to grow. I think work is important for the development of every person, especially for a young person like myself.

After having the honor of being a part of internal AMETEK trainings, I realized how much I love to listen and acquire new knowledge and how much I missed school. AMETEK's great management team was a major motivator as well. The company appreciates people who work hard, who are always trying to make themselves and the company better, and I really want to be a part of that world. All of this eventually led me to gather courage and make the decision to go back to school.

What are you majoring in, and what do you hope to do with your degree after graduating?

I'm majoring in engineering management; it's a mixture of my two passions: mechanical engineering and management. I would love to be a part of AMETEK's engineering team and use my acquired knowledge so I can participate in making the company better, and to grow and develop together.

My strength lies in the belief that education is a crucial factor in making the world a better place. As American journalist and women's rights advocate, Margaret Fuller said, "If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it."

I would like to transfer my knowledge to others, my colleagues to be exact. Knowledge isn't something that should be kept; on the contrary, it gets bigger if you share it.

The AMETEK Foundation's commitment to empowering individuals like Milica demonstrates the impact of investing in and advancing STEM education. By establishing this program through Scholarship America, the Foundation continues to create opportunities for students worldwide, enabling them to pursue their dreams and make meaningful contributions in STEM careers that make life better for all of us.