In this latest series of articles, we are publishing interviews of women working as a professional or a student in the technology sector. The objective is to highlight their work and contribution to the industry and the community.
In these interviews, you will find women working in technology to solve real-world problems, break stereotypes, and create the next big impact on the tech industry. This series of interviews shows that even with the lowest rate of women participation in the labor market in Pakistan, there are still many smart women who are creating and using technology to work wonders.
Today, we are featuring Shafaq Arshad. Read on to learn more about her work and get inspired.
1. Tell us a little about yourself, your background, your education, and your work.
As a Software Engineer at Google Play London, originally from Lahore, Pakistan I focus on writing pipelines to compute insights for Android developers. Having been at Google for two years, I’m continually learning with an amazing and supportive team, though sometimes we spend our scrum meetings deciphering accents! On weekends, I enjoy mentoring talented individuals seeking career guidance.
From an early age, I have faced and overcome challenges due to a neuro-muscular disorder affecting my hearing and limbs. Despite these obstacles, I have been driven by a passion for using technology to break down barriers and create opportunities for all. Rooted in my love for calculus and leveraging online resources, I have embraced the field of technology and transcended societal biases.
My pursuit of computer science led me to develop unique learning techniques to compensate for my hearing impairment. This dedication resulted in my recognition as Valedictorian (Class of 2019) and subsequent achievements, including winning esteemed technology awards such as GHC and Women Techmakers (WTM) conference.
Attending the WTM conference in Singapore, I was inspired by Google’s open culture, where mistakes were celebrated as valuable lessons. This experience solidified my decision to make Google my future workplace.
However, my journey has also revealed the prevalent gender bias in Pakistan’s tech industry, which limits women’s career trajectories. In response, I have become actively involved with PWiC, mentoring and creating opportunities for women in tech through workshops and empowerment efforts.
As my journey unfolds, I am driven by a desire to empower not only myself but countless others. I aspire to create a future where dreams are not bound by gender and limitations are merely stepping stones to greatness.
2. What are your future plans/aspirations? How will it impact the community/society/your team/your project?
My future plans revolve around making a positive impact in the tech community, particularly in advocating for diversity and inclusivity. I aim to continue championing women in tech and breaking down gender biases prevalent in the industry, especially in Pakistan. Through initiatives like Women In Tech, and other mentoring platforms, I strive to create opportunities for underrepresented groups and inspire others to pursue careers in technology. By fostering a more inclusive environment, I believe we can unlock greater creativity and innovation, benefiting not only my team and projects but society as a whole.
In terms of my career goals, I envision establishing a technology park in Islamabad. This initiative aims to attract tech giants like Google to invest in Pakistan and contribute to the cultivation of its IT talent pool. By creating a conducive ecosystem for innovation and collaboration, I hope to position Pakistan as a hub for technological advancement and economic growth in the region.
3. Please brag about your career accomplishments. What are the things you are proud of?
I’m proud of several accomplishments throughout my career. Winning esteemed technology awards like the Grace Hopper Celebration and Women Techmakers has been a significant achievement, not just for me personally but also for the visibility it brings to diversity and inclusivity in the tech industry. Joining Google, a company whose culture aligns with my values, and being able to contribute to meaningful projects has been a dream come true. Above all, I’m proud of the impact I’ve been able to make in advocating for women in tech and breaking down societal biases, both locally and globally. Perhaps the most meaningful of my achievements have been earning the title of Batch Valedictorian at FAST NUCES and once and for all breaking the stereotype that being a woman or having a disability doesn’t define who you are and what you can achieve.
4. What has been your best education/career decision, and why?
The best decision I’ve made in my education and career was to stay true to myself and never give up, despite the challenges I faced. By embracing my passion for technology and advocating for diversity, I’ve been able to carve out a fulfilling career that aligns with my values and aspirations. Pursuing computer science despite societal expectations and developing my own learning techniques to overcome my hearing impairment have been instrumental in my success. Additionally, actively seeking opportunities to advocate for diversity and inclusivity has not only enriched my career but also allowed me to make a meaningful impact in the tech community. I love hearing from my mentees how much I inspired them to keep pushing through their struggles.
5. What are the best lessons you’ve learned?
Through my journey, I’ve learned valuable lessons about resilience, perseverance, and the power of community. I’ve discovered that setbacks are growth opportunities, and by embracing diversity, we can unlock creativity and innovation. Above all, I’ve learned that success is not just about personal achievements but about uplifting others and creating a more inclusive and equitable future for all. My experiences have taught me the importance of staying true to oneself, advocating for what is right, and never underestimating the power of determination and support from others.
The real winner in the world is the one who, given any situation, will happily make the most of it. Find the positive around you!
6. Which woman inspires you and why?
I find inspiration from within myself. My drive stems from challenging my past self to surpass the achievements of yesterday, with the goal of continual improvement. Each day, I strive to outperform the person I was the day before. Whenever I learn something new that I didn’t know previously, I consider it a success. I firmly believe that every woman should find inspiration within herself. There’s no greater motivation than self-reflection and self-improvement. This internal journey of growth is a consistent and powerful source of inspiration, leading to personal actualization. It is indeed a powerful mindset. It’s a testament to your determination and commitment to personal growth. By focusing on self-improvement and celebrating successes, big or small, you’re setting a remarkable example for others.
7. Do you think Pakistan has changed as a society in terms of accepting career-oriented women? What needs to change to help more women come forward?
Pakistan has seen some progress in accepting career-oriented women, but there is still much room for improvement including the need for a well-established legal system in place to protect women’s rights and most importantly raising awareness for families and managers on how to best support the females under their responsibilities. As a woman, we should not be given a choice of family or career rather it’s family and career. If you have a wife, be her equal partner at home, and raise your kids together. If you have a daughter then encourage her to make her own choices and don’t put pressure on her. If you have a female subordinate, then trust her to complete her duties responsibly and encourage her to seek help whenever.
8. What will be the biggest challenge for the generation of women behind you?
The next generation could already be facing the daunting task of achieving work-life balance in today’s demanding professional landscape, especially in rapidly evolving fields like Technology. Working mothers, with their already burdened shoulders, may find themselves juggling not only their professional responsibilities but also caregiving duties and the need to continually upskill and learn new technology stacks. The new field of AI especially poses a challenge not just because of its complicated learning curve where professionals in AI roles require high-level degrees and experience but also as more people find themselves facing layoffs either in the face of an economic downturn or replaced by bots!
9. What would it be if you could change one thing about the tech industry/business?
Firstly, I would highly encourage tech houses to stop the prevalent blame gaming when there are unexpected failures in production. Every time a failure or bug is encountered, don’t look at who caused it but what caused it and how it can be fixed. Have compensated on-duty rotations responsible for dealing with bugs instead of trying to find the ‘who’ who caused the bug. I will also try to eradicate micromanaging and credit hogging when a feature is launched well.
10. How can WomenInTechPK help you and other women?
I hope that by sharing my story in the forum, I can help others realize that it’s very much possible and highly encouraged to step out of your comfort zone and realize your full potential. Don’t underestimate yourself and don’t let others underestimate you and become your own inspiration!
You can follow Shafaq Arshad using her profile(s) below, and please do not hesitate to hire her for your next project.
