External Affairs Executive 2009-2010
Working on: Master of Applied Science, Department of Systems and Computer Engineering
Email: salikhan AT connect.carleton.ca
Website: http://www.sce.carleton.ca/~shafagha/
About Me
I am currently working on my Master's thesis in the department of Systems and Computer Engineering. After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, I worked in the telecom industry for about 2 years where I decided I'd like to go to graduate school and continue learning and conducting research in that field.
Undergraduate Studies
My choice
Ever since I was very young, I always wanted to be an engineer. At a very young age I thought Civil Engineering was what I wanted to pursue, but later on in high school I became much more interested in computers and electronics and decided this is the field I'd like to go into. After working in the telecom industry I realized how much I enjoy working in this field and decided to continue my career path in that direction.
Graduate Studies
Why grad school
When I was finishing my Bachelor degree, I didn't really think about going to grad school. At the time I just really wanted to start working and seeing what industry has to offer. I had decided that once I get some work experience I'll decide if I'd like to go back to school and continue with grad studies or if I'd become interested in something totally different and switch career paths. Well, it turned out that I did enjoy the wireless world and decided that I did want to go to grad school to continue learning about it.
Life after Masters
At this point in time, I can't say for certain what I'm planning to do after I graduate. I would like to start working and using what I've acquired in grad school in the work place. I do also think about doing a PhD but I may want to work for a while to get some work experience and also find out what really interests me before I start a PhD program. Maybe a good combination would be to start working and then do PhD part time. Anyway, we'll see what happens!
Long term goals
My main long term goals are having a challenging yet rewarding career, raising a family to the best of my abilities, and having a positive impact in the world we live in.
Women in Science and Engineering
My feelings about being a woman in engineering
I think it's great being a woman in engineering, but it would be really nice if we could see more women in such fields. I think women have everything it takes to be scientists and engineers, they just have to believe in themselves and find out what really interests them. When we meet strong successful women in sciences and engineering, it is such an inspiration to us all and that is why I think we need more women holding faculty and leadership positions in sciences and engineering.
Why I joined WISE
I have always been a supporter of women in science and engineering. The reason I want to be part of CU-WISE is that I like to meet more women with similar interests. I strongly believe in encouraging women to consider a career in the fields of science and engineering and would like to contribute and provide support to those interested. I know how difficult it can be to be a women in the technical fields as we are a minority, and how important and effective it is to have support and encouragement from other women in our field. I also like to set an example for young women of different racial and ethnic backgrounds that engineering is for everyone.
Why I recommend joining WISE
When you join WISE you meet many other great women with similar interests as your own. You get to network and learn about different opportunities out there. You get the support and advice of people who are doing or have done a program similar to yours, and you get a chance to help out other young women in sciences and engineering.
Other Interests
I love sports especially swimming, badminton and yoga. I also really enjoy traveling, checking out new places, and discovering new things. One other thing I really like doing is throwing parties for my friends ;)