Meet Jacqueline: Software Engineer and Former Arizona Cardinals Cheerleader

We met Jacqueline at our Super Bowl Event, and are so excited to welcome her to SciCheer!

Hi, Jacqueline! What turned you on to engineering and when?
Ever since I can remember, I’ve enjoyed math. My high school algebra teacher played an instrumental role in my decision to purse engineering. I knew it would be a challenge, but I was excited to see how far I could go!

Tell us more about what you do!
Most days, I’m using and collecting information (data) to find patterns and trends. I can share this knowledge with my team and company to make processes run faster and smarter. Sometimes I’m writing code, sometimes I’m using Excel or other applications specific to our company to accomplish this work.

How is your role a part of STEM?
I recently had a career shift and get to use my STEM background in a technology healthcare setting. Our priority is to provide more affordable healthcare for customers through an integrated pharmacy platform. I’m on the operations team, helping to keep the business running uninterrupted for our customers. They deserve a seamless and reliable experience while interacting with our services.

Why did you try out to be a cheerleader?
While I was growing up, my mom and I would watch the Arizona Cardinals together. We’d catch glimpses of the cheerleaders on TV and talk about how cool it must be to dance on the sidelines. I’m guessing this is when the seed was planted! One day during college, I can distinctly remember deciding I wasn’t ready to stop dancing and that I would audition for the Arizona Cardinals. It was the next best move to continue my passion for dance, but also cheer on my favorite NFL team!

How do the qualities that make you a great cheerleader help you in your professional life?
There is so much overlap between qualities that benefit you in both cheerleading and STEM! During one of my seasons, I was balancing an engineering internship, full-time college courses, and cheering. This is where my time management skills were at an all-time high! Another quality that has helped me immensely in both areas is my attention to detail. You can’t show up to practice with the wrong poms or write code with any errors!

Favorite cheer experience?
Each time I was able to perform next to my amazing teammates was like something out of dream! But when I look back, the moments I cherish most are those where I connected with fans and the local community.

What advice to you have to aspiring STEM students?
Stay true to your personal values and they won’t let you down.

What’s one thing most people wouldn’t know about you?
I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease within weeks of starting my Rookie season with the Arizona Cardinals. It was a confusing time for me because I wasn’t sure how or if my body could handle both a full-time career, cheering, and all the stress that comes along with it!