Catchin' Up With a Cookie: Sondos Alnamos
Sondos Alnamos
2017 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar, Georgia Tech
Sondos is an R&D Engineer at Proctor & Gamble (P&G); she combines her love of developing products with her interest in creating new inclusive designs. Previously, she worked on creating a patent pending medical device in collaboration with a team of biomedical engineers and Emory University, and that process shifted her interest to product development. She is part of the Georgia Tech recruiting team at P&G, which helps bring new talents into the company and supports new hires and interns through their journey. Sondos is passionate about influencing career development, STEM education, and helping non-profit organizations.
What does being a Cooke Scholar mean to you?
Being a Cooke Scholar means I have a family of hard workers who always support me in my journey. It means always having someone in a specific career or area that spikes my interest with endless support (a community of people I can rely on the most.) I can travel to almost every single state and have a Cookie Cousin there to visit. Wherever I go, whatever city I want to see, whatever field/area I would like to explore, I have someone there to ask and get guidance from. Also, it means having endless exciting, diverse opinions, negotiations, discussions, and conversations with some of the brightest people in the country. Finally, it means I have a group that inspires and encourages me to dream bigger and achieve my goals.
Tell us about a memorable moment in undergrad or graduate school.
It isn't easy to point out a memorable moment while in undergrad because I think I had terrific experiences overall. However, there is one that lead me to where I am today. During my last semester at Georgia Tech, I visited a Cookie Cousin in Miami (Quratulain Amin), which was a great trip to release my stress from school. I met multiple Scholars in Miami and got to connect with them and get inspired by their stories. During that trip, Quratulain encouraged me to attend the Women In Engineering Conference in LA, where we went together a few months later. That conference helped me get the job I am doing right now.
What is ONE THING YOU DID TO HELP TRANSITION TO YOUR FIRST YEAR OUT OF COLLEGE?
My first year out of college was challenging because I was still interviewing and deciding on the job I wanted to do. Also, a few months after my graduation, the pandemic started, making it harder for me to know the usual process. To help in the transition, you have to connect to people recently through the process, aka other Cooke Scholars, stay organized and believe in the process, and ask for help when you need it because we have many resources and support from the foundation. Also, try to stay connected with the people you bounded with in college because many of your friends will be in the same boat as you but in a different area or state.
What was the last book you read, movie/show you watched, or podcast you listened to that you really enjoyed and highly recommended?
The last book I read was The Power of Positive Thinking and I would highly recommend the book because it teaches you how to believe in yourself and take control of your thoughts.
If you were to create your own cookie, what would it consist of and what name would you give it?
Hahaha, I know how to cook, but baking is a struggle, so this would be a crazy adventure for me. However, if I were to bake a cookie, I would want a dark chocolate cookie that is fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside, and I would like it to be balanced between sweet and salty. I would call my cookie "DaChoCo."