Sisters Share Engineering Duties at Army Yuma Proving Ground

Sisters Daniela and Maria Villegas, born only 14 months apart, share a similar interest in engineering. Their father instilled an interest in mathematics from an early age as they grew up outside of Yuma, Arizona. Always close, they both decided to attend college at University of Arizona-Yuma campus. 

“We didn’t have to move or pay for rent in a different city,” Maria said. “Not everyone has the means to do that. For us it was great. It was a wonderful option.”

Now, each holding a degree in systems engineering, they are working as engineers in the instrument division at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground. Both work in the Engineering Support Branch: Daniela in optics and Maria in the tracking radar section.

The Villegas sisters hope they can inspire other students to push past obstacles and pursue their path.

Daniela says, “Don’t give up. I know it gets hard, I know it’s a struggle. But don’t give up. Give your best: at the end, it will be really worth it.”