Doing the work you love creates a ‘virtuous circle’ that energises you on a more sustainable basis, putting such energy into dazzling success. The overwhelming passion for technology coupled with towering ambition have helped Egyptian Engineer Dina Ayman to compete bravely in a career in one of the most technologically-advanced countries, namely the US, becoming the first Egyptian manager for Microsoft.
Her genuine passion for technology enabled her to obtain two degrees at the same time in computer engineering. In an interview with The Egyptian Mail, the Ayman the Amazing highlights the main stations in her inspiring career journey.
“I always loved math and wanted to be an engineer since middle school, before I even knew what engineering was,” she said.
Her love for technology started in high school. The idea that she can create something in the US that would be used on the other side of the world always fascinated her.
“And I was always blown away by how technology is in everything we use, and how it makes life way easier,” she said.
The Egyptian engineer who made headlines spent her childhood between Egypt and the US. She was born in New Jersey and moved to Egypt with her parents when she was little for elementary and middle school. Then, she went back to the States at beginning of high school and she still lives there.
More amazingly, Ayman graduated with both a BSc and MSc in computer engineering the same year from the New Jersey Institute of Technology in 2018.
“I was always on the dean’s honour list,” she said modestly.
However, Ayman’s career journey was not always smooth.
“My biggest challenge was living away from my Mom for 11 years from high school. As the eldest daughter, I had to grow up fast and take on Mom’s role as I was responsible for my three younger siblings,” she told this newspaper.
These challenges never hampered Ayman’s progress, thanks to the great support she received from her family.
“In life, you will find people that bet on your success and others that bet on your failure. Make sure you’re surrounding yourself with the right ones that truly believe in you,” she said.
The amazing career journey of Ayman, who is still in her twenties, has put in the spotlight worldwide.
“Career development is so important to anyone’s success. I always think of the next move and work with my leadership to what my career development plan looks like. I really urge everyone to pay close attention to their career development plans and break it down into milestones to continuously work on it,” she said.
That is why Ayman is now the youngest programming manager and the first Egyptian to assume this position in Microsoft.
Besides her work at Microsoft, she is also a professor of engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and a CEO of Diversity and Inclusion Power.
“Before Microsoft and teaching, I worked with Intel for two years on 5G networks, and I also served with the government on the Technology and Telecommunication Commission for the City of Austin, Texas, reporting to the mayor’s office.”
Thanks to her dazzling achievements, Ayman had the chance to meet Egyptian Emigration Minister Nabila Makram to talk about opportunities for the ministry to help Egyptians in the US.
“I’m forever supportive to all initiatives of the Ministry and thankful for it all.”
Despite her success, Ayman admits that there are many challenges still facing women in tech.
“Being a minority is a challenge. But it takes our voices to speak up … We really need to create the change and it took so long to get where we are, but still a lot needs to improve.”
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