In this latest series of articles, we are publishing interviews of some incredible women who are part of the tech industry or the broader STEM fields.
In these interviews, you will find women working on solving real-world problems, breaking stereotypes and creating the next big impact on the industry. This series of interviews shows that even with the lowest rate of women participation in the labor market in Pakistan, there are still lots of smart women who are creating and using technology to work wonders.
Today, we are featuring Tuba Mohsin. Read on to know more about her work and get inspired.
Tell us a little about yourself, your background, your education, and your work.
I had humble beginnings with a graduate degree from NED University of Engineering and Technology. My juniors always admired me as a person who excellently managed extracurriculars and academics as I scored a good 3.8 GPA along with being a Webmaster for NEDUET’s ACM. As of now, I hold 2.6 years of technical expertise at Techlogix. I believe in synergy and benefiting the tech community as much as in my means. Hence, I love to help and mentor my fellow colleagues and CS students. I also work at CIRCLE as Tech Karo Program Manager. The program specially designed for females to upskill them and bridge the digital gender divide.
What are your future plans/aspirations? What impact it will have on the community/society/your team/your project?
Currently, I serve at Tech Karo as their Project Manager. I am responsible for brilliant women who undergo courses in CS. As soon as they are done with their courses at Tech Karo, they face a good amount of time to find decent employment. I hope to bridge the gap that such women face after graduation. I aim to build a well-networked community by making use of my skills and peers that will help them land a job and not let their precious talent go waste.
Please brag about your career accomplishments, what are the things you are really proud of?
I take pride in being the first female engineer in my family. I realized the magnitude of responsibility this education held upon my shoulders, so I worked hard as soon as I was employed to prove my potential. Within a few months of employment, I received “Achiever of the month” award. I was lucky enough to be entrusted by the management at Techlogix with the responsibility of overlooking an entire project at a junior position when the team lead left the position.
What has been your best education/career decision and why?
I am glad I took the road which is less taken and went for an engineering degree, that too in software engineering when most of my peers chose the conventional medical and creative professional lines. Software Engineering is something that allows me to challenge my boundaries every day and unleashes my true potential. The satisfaction is unreal! Career-wise, I would say that as soon as I started community service for the tech community, I learned essential management skills to pair up my responsibilities with the social service I was offering.
What’re the best lessons you’ve learned?
Soon after graduating, I found myself overwhelmed with the wide range of choices I had at my disposal. None of them seemed to make sense as there was a huge difference between the prerequisites that were needed for the job postings and all the courses that I had to undertake during my university. Naturally, being aloof of the upcoming challenges, I kept working my way to create opportunities. I ultimately landed a job at a reputed software house (Techlogix Pvt. Ltd) which was a huge milestone since most people end up unemployed in their initial years. I believe that if I did not trust my own self and persevere without being intimidated by the coding, the frameworks and all the new things that I had to juggle with, I would not be publishing my interview here!
Which woman inspires you and why?
All working women inspire me. In all time periods, we observe that women are easily suppressed by society, their families and their responsibilities. But women who stand by their career with sheer unstoppableness are such a sight to see! When I feel overwhelmed by my responsibilities, I think of the challenges faced by successful women which give me newfound strength and resilience.
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?
The change is slow but steady. I can see mindsets changing as the years go by. There still is a big room for improvement. Companies need to understand that a woman is an equivalent resource as that of a male. Female employees should be equally treated. Maternity leaves should be increased and daycare centers must be taken as a ‘necessity’ rather than a ‘facility’. Such terms will eventually allow more women to come forward and work independently.
If you could change one thing about the tech industry/business, what would it be?
When I entered the professional phase of my life, I encountered numerous situations where women were sidelined solely because of their gender. This is because women are not considered capable enough to be trusted with the same responsibilities that their male counterparts are. As I elevate the corporate ladder, I will make sure to hold men and women in the same regard and counsel women who are intimidated with their tasks. By creating a safe and supportive work environment for women, we are using our manpower to the fullest.
How can WomenInTechPK help you and other women?
WomenInTechPK is a great platform where women can seek advice, share job opportunities, scholarships, and fellowships. Moreover, it encourages all women who are exceptional in their achievements and give them the limelight they truly deserve.
You can follow Tuba Mohsin using her profiles below, and please do not hesitate in hiring her for your next project.
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/tubamohsinkhan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tubamohsin94