Combining Engineering and Law
“I Am African & I Can” is a women’s empowerment blog highlighting stories of black women’s struggles and successes.
By Hadiatou Wann | 06/21/19
As a young girl, Hadiatou Barry noticed that whenever her parents spoke with sick relatives in Guinea, they would always recommend traveling to other African countries like Senegal to seek treatment. When she realized it was due to Guinea's lack of adequate healthcare, it propelled her to later choose a prefession that would put her in a place to help Guineans.
Hadiatou is a daughter of immigrants, a first American born and middle child. She grew up on 116 Street (a place in Harlem dubbed little Africa) and for high school went to Frederick Douglass Academy II. For many students waking up in the morning to go to school feels like a tug of war. But Hadiatou was always eager to get to school because she loved academics. She had a profound interest in math, science, and creative writing.
In college, she attended Western New England University. She had an interest in science and preferred being behind the scenes to do research. This led her to choose Biomedical Engineering as a major, a field of study that requied her to work with her hands; They apply engineering principles to the field of medicine in order to make medicine and healthcare better.
While Hadiatou was a freshman in college, she found out that there was a program called “3+3” offered at her school. It was a program for students who had an interest in combining degrees.
She spoke with the chair person in the program in hopes of getting advisement on combining an engineering and law degree. But to her surprise, although the program existed, no one had the courage to take on the challenge. Luckily, Hadiatou met someone who joined the “3+3” program and was willing to share some information with her.
When Hadiatou spoke to her pre-law advisor about applying for law school, he told her she wouldn’ t get in law school because her grades were not perfect.
Hadiatou did not want to put her aspirations in the back burner because of someone who didn't see her potential. She knew she was a good student and didn't need to have “perfect” grades to give law school a try. All she needed was belief in herself.
She took the LSAT ( Law School Admissions Test) but scored below what was required. But they didn't discourage her. She took the test a second time and scored high, got letters of recommendations. Law school welcome the girl that refused to give up.
In the “3+3” program, the last year of engineering is the first year of law school. Hadiatou proved herself right, and proved wrong anyone who didn't believe in her. In 2015, she graduated with an engineering degree, followed by a law degree in 2017.
How did she manage to combine two concentrations that were unrelated? During the day, she took engineering classes, law classes during the night, and juggled that with work study on campus, and ran cross country. Towards the end of her studies, she worked in the legal department of a local biotechnology company.
“[Running cross country] was a huge part of my life and character at the time. It was a stress reliever and an extra supportive community during my 4 years on the team that I cherish then and even now. I’d be remiss if they weren’t apart of my narrative,” said Hadiatou.
Sogona Sacko and Hadiatou have been close friends since high school. This is what she had to say about her: “Hadiatou is the symbol of accomplishment for every immigrant parent who has left their home country to provide a better lifestyle for their children in the United States.”
What was Hadiatou like in school?
“She was always adamant about her education. From taking advanced courses in high school to becoming a valedictorian, obtaining an engineering degree to becoming a lawyer, it's hard to not be a proud friend. In the midst of doing all of the above, she's a consistent friend whose there when needed,” Sogona said.
Had Hadiatou relied solely on her pre-law advisor's opinion, she would have never stepped outside of her comfort zone. She was fearless and willing to do whatever required of her to make it work. Trying to find a job that allows her to combine engineering and law has been challenging. But what remains in her to-do list is creating a hospital in Guinea that would provide adequate healthcare, or to assist in providing information or resources that would change Guinea's healthcare system for the better.
Welcome to Hadiatou Barry’s World
“A strong woman is someone who can be true to themselves. Someone who sets goals and goes after them whether it takes 2 or 5 years.”
Senior year of engineering. Hadiatou and her advisor working on her senior design project, which is required for graduation.
“[Running cross country] was a huge part of my life and character at the time. It was a stress reliever and an extra supportive community during my 4 years on the team that I cherish then and even now. I’d be remiss if they weren’t apart of my narrative.”
Connect with Hadiatou:
Facebook: Hadiatou Barry
Email: h.barry161@gmail.com
Read other success stories here: www.iamafricanandican.info/blog
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