In 2014, Dr. Glangchai took the TEDxSanAntonio stage at our main event: “Ideas in Action”. She spoke on the challenges faced encouraging young women to become involved in science and technology and how we can raise the female CEOs and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. Catch up with Dr. Glangchai below and see where she is now!
What was your experience like working with a curator?
Luz Cristal Glangchai, PhD: The experience working with a curator and preparing for the talks was very intense, but very rewarding. Coming from an engineering background, public speaking is not my forte. It took a lot of dedicated hard work for me to perfect my speech, record myself speaking, and then meet with my curator at least once a week. I feel like it is a critical part of preparing to give a TED talk.
What first connected you to TEDxSanAntonio?
LCG: I have always been interested in TED talks because of the passion that people have and the important messages that are conveyed. As a professor at Trinity University, I heard that the TEDxSanAntonio talks would be hosted there. I didn’t have tickets, but I knew I wanted to speak, and decided to apply the following year.
What tips do you have for future speakers?
LCG: Practice, practice, practice. Practice in your car during traffic. Practice in front of your kids, and practice in front of whoever will listen. Definitely participate in each of the organized group practice sessions. Also, as you prepare your speech you will be getting quite a bit of feedback and guidance, but take everything with a grain of salt. Whatever you say has to be your voice and come from your heart. Also, remember that you are the expert in your field. If you are nervous about presenting, just think to yourself, you know more than anyone else on your subject.
What’s your favorite TED talk?
LCG: One of my favorite talks of all times is Ken Robinson’s “Do schools kill creativity?”
How has your life changed since doing your TEDxSanAntonio talk?
LCG: My TEDx talk made me realize that I have something important to say and that I want to share it with people. It furthered my drive to grow and spread VentureLab across the United States, and it spurred me to start writing a book about how we can create future girl leaders through entrepreneurship education.
Please provide a favorite quote from your own talk?
LCG: “What I see is that for girls and boys, the entrepreneurial element brings science to life. It becomes relevant and real.”
What projects, etc. are you working on now?
LCG: I am still running VentureLab, but since the TEDx talk we are now teaching Entrepreneurship and Technology to kids across Texas and California. I am also working on my book (title to be determined) about sparking the entrepreneurial spirit in girls today, to be tomorrow’s creative leaders. Its provides parents and educators ways in which they spark the fullest potential in our girls.
Where/how can we keep up with you now?
LCG: You can keep up with what I am working on at https://about.me/cristalglangchai.
For more about Luz Cristal S. Glangchait: http://tedxsanantonio.com/2014-speakers/luz- cristal-s- glangchai/
Join the TEDxSanAntonio community and previous speakers at this November’s Now You Know event. Buy your tickets online now. >>>>>> tedxsanantonio.com/2016-fall-speakers/