Digital Shipbuilding is putting a Senior Spotlight on Old Dominion University graduating senior, Danijela Celar.

Danijela, originally from Croatia, grew up in Newport News and is graduating this semester with a bachelor’s in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

How did Danijela get interested in engineering? “I’ve always been interested in cars mainly. I always wanted to know how things work, and how to fix things. So in high school I did some career tests and engineering kept coming up. After my first year at ODU, I decided that was for sure what I wanted to do.”

Danijela has been working for Newport News Shipbuilding for the past three years and has recently accepted a full-time position upon her graduation.

During her undergraduate career, Danijela served as an ASNE National Student Council Representative, received a first-place award at the ASNE Technology, Systems & Ships (TCC) Conference for her research on augmented reality, and was even involved in publishing a paper in the Journal of Naval Engineers.

Danijela plans to go back to school to pursue a master’s degree, and also wants to help mentor young girls about engineering. “I have been mentoring young girls at Granby High School and other elementary schools, and I would love to continue doing that. I want to help mould young engineers and get more women interested in engineering,” Danijela said.

When asked what advice Danijela has for young women engineers, she said, “Always ask questions when in doubt, and never give up!”