Data Engineer
Cordel
WHAT IS YOUR EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND?
I received my bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from K.N.Toosi University of Technology in Tehran, Iran. After that, I moved to the US to get my master’s degree in civil engineering, majoring in Construction Engineering and Management at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In addition to my courses, I was also involved in research at RailTEC, focusing on railway infrastructure.
WHERE ARE YOU CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AND WHAT IS YOUR JOB TITLE?
I am a Data Engineer at Cordel.
IN 2-3 SENTENCES PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR CURRENT ROLE.
My role combines two types of responsibilities. The majority of this includes working as part of the delivery team at Cordel, where I perform quality assurance tasks to ensure the accuracy of the data we capture/ receive and the results our AI models output. I am also responsible for communicating our results to partners and clients and assisting them with our platform user experience. In addition, my role includes providing technical industry insights for Cordel’s internal use cases by being actively involved in AREMA, conference participation, and reviewing up-to-date technical publications.
WHY SHOULD WOMEN THINK ABOUT A CAREER IN RAIL?
First and foremost, I want to emphasize that regardless of gender, we should follow our hearts and not be discouraged by existing stereotypes because each of us plays a crucial role in shaping the future. As cliché as it might sound, we should actively strive for the changes we want to see in our surroundings. So, feel free to explore all your passions and pursue what truly drives you.
Like other engineering fields, the rail industry remains predominantly male-dominated. I’ve had the privilege of working with both men and women who evaluated me based on my skills rather than my gender, which was incredibly encouraging. I firmly believe that the rail industry is gradually progressing toward gender equality at its own pace, and having more women involved will expedite this transition phase.
HOW DID YOU END UP WORKING IN THE RAIL INDUSTRY?
Because of my background, I was passionate about transportation, but not specifically railroads! I learned more about the rail industry after I got involved in RailTEC during my master’s program. I performed research as part of the infrastructure group, and working in this dynamic research environment allowed me to collaborate with brilliant individuals. Exploring the physics behind track infrastructure and the hands-on experience working with technology fueled my passion for railway engineering. Being involved in the UIUC AREMA student chapter allowed me to engage with industry partners directly, and attending conferences further exposed me to the rapid advancements in the adoption of technology and data-driven solutions within the rail industry, ultimately guiding me toward a career in its technological sector.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO WOMEN TRYING TO BREAK INTO ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY FIELDS?
My advice mirrors what I would tell myself: You’re just one decision away from turning your dreams into reality. Don’t hold back; give it your all, and trust that everything will fall into place. Remember, it’s crucial to be passionate about what you do and always attempt to exceed your own expectations. Passion fuels dedication and pushing beyond your limits leads to growth and success.
(This interview was conducted in 2024.)
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