In this latest series of articles, we are publishing interviews of women who are working as a professional or a student in the technology sector. The objective is to highlight their work and contribution to the industry as well as to the community.
In these interviews, you will find women working in technology to solve real-world problems, to break stereotypes and to 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 lots of smart women who are creating and using technology to work wonders.
Today, we are featuring Aiman Saeed. 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 studied at NUST – Islamabad, where I completed my bachelor’s in Public Administration. Even though my degree is of social sciences background and related to public policy, I was always interested in marketing and digital media management.
I remember in grade 10th when I started following the top digital media geeks across the world and especially from Pakistan, people like Saad Hamid, Badar Khushnood, Syed Muzamil, Jehan Ara, and others. I had a craze of social media and digital media from an early age and was passionately following the growing tech and startup ecosystem of Pakistan.
From the start of my university, I had a clear goal of helping the youth, and to achieve my goal, I joined a tech-based startup (AlooClan). I lead that startup as an intrapreneur, and with no prior professional experience, I took the lead of marketing and social media management domain.
I was passionate about doing something innovative for the startup and connecting the youth with real businesses where they can use their skill set and earn decent work, which will ultimately help in their professional growth.
I’m honored that I was able to help and train 200+ students across Pakistan on essential digital skills such as social media marketing (Fb/Instagram page management), creative content creation, and how to come up with engaging marketing campaigns with original graphics.
Currently, I’m working on a lot of similar projects where I’m training students as well as young entrepreneurs on digital and tech skills.
What are your plans/aspirations? What impact will it have on the community/society/your team/your project?
Besides my full-time/part-time job, I’m working as a community mobilizer with GDG Islamabad as the creative lead and also as the Women Techmakers ambassador – our team is working hard to create meaningful experiences for the people of twin cities.
We have conducted technical as well as non-technical workshops such as #IamRemarkable workshops, resume, and design thinking workshops to help and support our people. We are trying to bring in the best speakers and panelists for our events so that attendees can learn from the industry experts, network and grow themselves.
We have seen a positive response from our community members and also from the corporate sector. GDG Islamabad is planning some fantastic events for 2020, and we are hoping to create a real difference for the technology enthusiasts out there.
Please brag about your career accomplishments, what are the things you are proud of?
The one thing I’m proud of is how my team and I have created a change within Islamabad. I remember conducting my first ever event (DevFest 2017) with GDG Islamabad, and I know the percentage of women participation at that event, it was hardly 25%. But now, Alhamdulillah, we are proud to say that we have equal and sometimes more women participation at our events.
We recently conducted the first-ever Women Techmakers Breakfast Reception at DevFest 2019, which catered to 150+ women from all walks of life who gathered under one roof to celebrate their achievements & network with one another.
What has been your best education/career decision, and why?
To leave a corporate company and work for a smaller company where you can positively contribute and actively innovate while working on exciting initiatives and projects.
What’re the best lessons you’ve learned?
Never underestimate the power of a bad or an unfavorable experience, especially related to workplaces. You’ll learn the best things from your negative experiences.
Which woman inspires you and why?
Ellen DeGeneres
Not only I enjoy her show, of course, it is super entertaining, but the thing that I like the most is her positivity towards life.
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?
I guess we have come a long way; I know there are still issues and whatnot, but at least the acceptance exists now. However, I believe women need to be more focal, fight for their right to do whatever work they want to do, take charge, speak up, attend, and network on multiple events. And above all, share their achievements on relevant social media platforms and, at the same time, support each other.
What will be the biggest challenge for the generation of women behind you?
I am positive about our country’s future and also for the upcoming generation of women, and all I can say is that the future generation of women need to work hard to make their mark amongst the other females of Pakistan 🙂
If you could change one thing about the tech industry/business, what would it be?
The sociocultural norm that ‘this gender is a misfit for this role.’
How can WomenInTechPK help you and other women?
Keep supporting all the women-focused events, encourage more women to come forward as speakers, trainers, and workshop leads. Make alliances with universities and schools/colleges and encourage them to send their female students to all these events so that they can learn and network from an early age.
You can follow Aiman Saeed using her profiles below, and please do not hesitate in hiring her for your next project.
Email: aimansaeed17@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aiman.azfar.saeed
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aimans_3
Instagram: https://instagram.com/aimans_3
LinkedIn: https://pk.linkedin.com/in/aimansaeed
ProWomen Profile: https://www.prowomen.pk/aiman-saeed
