- Campus:
- IU Bloomington
Can you share your path into tech? Was this always your field of interest?
I wasn’t always in tech. My undergraduate degree was in electronics engineering, and at first, I worked more with chips and hardware. Toward the end of my program, I was introduced to computer vision and data science. Around the same time, I noticed the toll that the stress of engineering was taking on the mental health of my peers, including myself. That made me curious about whether data could be used to find solutions. Exploring analytics and data science gave me that pathway, and it’s what led me here.
How did the IUWIT grant support your professional development?
I used the grant to work toward the Certification in Business Data Analytics (CBDA). For me, it wasn’t just about the certification itself but about learning how data connects to business problems and solutions. My master’s degree taught me the technical side—how to work with the numbers—but this process has helped me understand how to apply those numbers to real-world impact. It’s not enough to say, “126 people attended an event.” What matters is asking who they are, why they came, and how we can make the experience better. This perspective has been incredibly valuable in my work with CEW&T.
What has been your favorite project so far, and how do you approach new challenges?
Honestly, every analytics project excites me, but one of my favorites was a personal project: building a Taylor Swift dashboard. It let me organize her songs by mood and timeline, which was just fun and creative. At CEW&T, I’ve also had the opportunity to build an entirely new data system from the ground up, something that challenged me in ways I didn’t expect but was deeply rewarding.
When I face a new challenge, my first reaction is the same as anyone’s: “Oh my God, what is this?” But after that initial moment, I dive in. I experiment, click around, test things out, and try to learn by doing. If I still feel stuck, I read articles, ask colleagues questions, or reach out to my manager. I’ve learned it’s always better to admit what I don’t know and seek help than to pretend I understand.
What did you dream of becoming as a child, and who inspires you now?
As a child, I wanted to be an astronaut. That dream still lingers. I may not become a NASA astronaut, but space travel is something I still think about. One of my role models is Anousheh Ansari, an Iranian-American engineer who wanted to be an astronaut, started out in electrical engineering, built her own company, and eventually made it into space. Her story shows me that big dreams can take unexpected paths but are still possible.
What advice would you give women pursuing a career in tech?
Tech isn’t only about working for big companies like Amazon or Google. There are so many ways to make an impact—whether in startups, nonprofits, or smaller organizations you might not expect. You can empower people and shape meaningful change with tech in places that don’t always look “technical” from the outside. Keep your eyes open for those opportunities, because they’re out there.