From McDonald’s to Space

From McDonald’s to Space: Katya Echazarreta’s Journey

Katya Echazarreta‘s life story is nothing short of extraordinary. At the age of 17, she was working at McDonald’s, serving fries to support her family. Fast forward to the age of 27, and Echazarreta has made history as the first Mexican-born woman to travel to space. Her journey to the stars began when she joined a group that embarked on a rocket built by Jeff Bezos’ “Blue Origin.”

Echazarreta, an engineer and science communicator from Guadalajara, Mexico, was selected for this remarkable space journey by the nonprofit organization Space for Humanity, chosen from over a thousand applicants.

Describing the experience, she expressed, “I’ve been dreaming about going to space my entire life.” The emotional drive to enter the rocket and the awe-inspiring view of Earth from space left a profound impact on her. Her mission is to inspire primarily women and people of color to pursue their dreams in space-related fields.

Born in Mexico, Echazarreta moved to the United States with her family at the age of seven, facing challenges of language and integration. Determined to overcome obstacles, she excelled academically and professionally. Even during her teenage years, working at McDonald’s and juggling multiple jobs, she was the main breadwinner for her family.

Echazarreta’s journey took a turn when she pursued a Master’s degree in engineering at Johns Hopkins University and worked at NASA‘s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California.

Passionate about being a role model, Echazarreta aims to guide and inspire girls and women in STEM fields.

Katya Echazarreta’s trajectory from McDonald’s to space exemplifies resilience, determination, and the pursuit of one’s dreams, making her an inspiration for aspiring scientists, especially women and minorities in STEM.

_{Repurposed article originally published in Upworthy}