I acknowledge the pain, but I focus on the possibility. I know the challenges, but I believe in the opportunities to overcome them.
Together, we can build an engineering field that reflects the diversity and creativity of the world it serves.
As a human in the minority (of this country) | an immigrant, brown male
I didn’t have engineering experience growing up except with my Lego and Erector sets
(They’re probably the only reason I pursued engineering and also the reason I hate the field as it stands)
I wasn’t a part of a robotics or engineering club when I was younger.
I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do and Robotics spaces seemed too intimidating and way out of my league. (funny thing is – now I’m pretty good)
I was part of Science Olympiad because my science teacher welcomed me into the space and mentored me along the way
I didn’t enter makerspaces while at Florida Tech because they seemed too intimidating
I didn’t have connections to a professional network
I was never taught how to connect within a professional network
I did not know how to interact in business and professional settings
How the hell would I even approach them?
I didn’t speak the engineering language until I left college
I was speaking both Arabic (at home) and English (at school) everyday
I didn’t have the resources to build and create in ways that I wanted to (or didn’t know I wanted to) until college
I worked all throughout college – U-Haul, Bass Pro, Leonardo DRS
Studied the rest of the time.
The path seems to be school >> school >> school (degree) >> the first job you can find
If you’re questioning that, please re-read the first line again and maybe everything again
The first job I could get wasn’t anything like I “signed up for”
Again, if you’re questioning that, please reread…
Where were those jobs? The true creative engineering?
BUT WHAT I DID HAVE was –
Supportive people around me that reminded me of my humanity.
Dogged determination!
I NEVER gave up. I got up thousands of times.
Call it ADHD, distraction, lack of focus… whatever – I tried so many things until I found the direction I wanted to go in.
I went after every opportunity I could.
To a fault sometimes but overall a good experience.
I had MACRO-focus on what mattered.
Getting to the point where I HATE my life is a signal which has gone way too far.
I should’ve exited the moment I realized I was slipping into this state.
But again, “us youth nowadays complain about everything”…
Screw you. Please leave… your failed dogma is what I am working to tear down.
I realized after college that I can (and should) control more of my life than I thought possible.
No one should ever feel like a slave to their employer, the role or even the job title on their resume; and I mean the following by that:
“If you quit, your life will crumble. You will lose all your money or you will never build wealth again“ – (People I love)
“If you leave, your resume is forever ruined (to hell with your career)“ – My Old Boss
“If you leave, your bridges and boats will be burned“ – (People I love)
“If you leave, you lose respect from your network“ – LinkedIn
These are not narratives that should ever exist in our country or world, and they should NEVER be internalized.
I say all this because there is pain.
The engineering field, like many others, can be unkind to those who don’t fit neatly into its traditional mold. For years, people like me and so many others have faced barriers such as systemic exclusion, lack of mentorship or simply the overwhelming feeling of not belonging. This leaves many talented individuals unable to fully express their creativity. While I’ve found ways to move past it, I know there are many who are still in the thick of it, struggling with challenges that should not exist in a profession built on innovation and problem-solving.
Reach out to me if you are interested in changing this paradigm.