Student Spotlight: How Milla Took Charge of Her Education and Found Her Passion in STEM 

At just 16 years old, Milla proves that students can accomplish extraordinary things with dedication and the right learning environment. A high school junior at iQ Academy, Milla is set to graduate early as part of the class of 2025, a rare achievement that showcases her determination and academic drive. But beyond her coursework, Milla is also a leader in her school community and an aspiring electrical engineer, carving out a path in a traditionally male-dominated field. 

Finding the Right Learning Environment 

Milla’s journey to iQ Academy wasn’t a conventional one. After facing challenges in elementary and middle school, she sought a fresh start in online learning. She originally planned to return to an in-person high school, but her family decided to continue with virtual education. That decision turned out to be life-changing. 

“I enjoy the kids here, and I enjoy the teachers. Most of all, I enjoyed the teachings. I felt like there was a high risk I wouldn’t find the right environment anywhere else.” said Milla. 

Through iQ Academy, Milla took the maximum number of courses possible to accelerate her graduation. Online learning gave her the freedom to push herself academically while also discovering new interests and career aspirations. 

A Passion for Electrical Engineering 

One of the most unique aspects of Milla’s story is how she found her passion for electrical engineering—by accident. One evening, her brother unexpectedly signed her up for an all-girls electrician training class, and she decided to give it a try. 

“It was a class for girls aged 13 to 19 where we learned about electrical work and gained real-life skills,” Milla said. “I stayed with it and recently completed my first year in the program.” 

Because she attends a virtual school, Milla is able to explore her interests outside of school, leading her to this unexpected but exciting opportunity. The experience changed her career trajectory, and she now hopes to pursue electrical engineering as a profession. The training class meets once a month, where students gain hands-on experience working with electrical systems, tools, and techniques. The program also hosts field trips to expose students to real-world applications for their training. 

The opportunity to have this exposure to STEM has given Milla a clear direction for her future—one that many students don’t discover until much later in life. 

Leadership and Community Involvement 

While juggling a full course load and pursuing a career in electrical engineering, Milla is deeply involved in iQ Academy’s student community. She is an active member of the Leadership Club, Debate Club, Senior Club, Gaming Club, and Motion Pictures Club. 

“I joined Debate Club last semester, but I couldn’t fully commit to it,” she said. “This semester, I decided to be more involved, and I love it, especially because of the teacher who runs the club.” 

Through Leadership Club, Milla helps create the school’s monthly newsletter, where she contributes fun content for students, such as movie, book, and music recommendations. She loves working on the team aspect of the club and values the friendships she’s built along the way. 

Advice for Future Students 

Milla has one major piece of advice for younger students entering high school: 

“Try not to be shy,” she said. “Freshman year, I was shy the whole year, and I think I would have made a lot more friends if I had put myself out there. Go out, explore, and talk to people!” 

Milla’s story is an inspiring reminder that education isn’t one-size-fits-all. Thanks to iQ Academy’s virtual learning model, she could take control of her education to graduate early, pursue a career in STEM, and build a strong school community along the way. 

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