Product Analyst
Senceive
WHAT IS YOUR EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND?
I have a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from KNTU (Iran) and a master’s in civil engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
WHERE ARE YOU CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AND WHAT IS YOUR JOB TITLE?
Senceive; Product Analyst
IN 2-3 SENTENCES PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR CURRENT ROLE.
I focus on driving product development and applications within the North American rail sector. This includes monitoring product performance and user experience feedback and providing technical support to inform future strategies and applications.
WHY SHOULD WOMEN THINK ABOUT A CAREER IN RAIL?
From a broad perspective, rail transportation plays a crucial role in the national and global economy and has significant environmental impacts. As a result, it offers a dynamic and vital field with diverse opportunities that cater to a wide range of interests. The increasing interest in adopting technology-based solutions also creates space for innovation. Like many others, the rail industry has historically been male-dominated. However, this is gradually changing, and while challenges persist, positive experiences and the growing momentum toward equality inspire hope for a more inclusive and equitable future in this field. For women, pursuing a career in this industry means being part of this transformation, which can add value to our professional journey.
HOW DID YOU END UP WORKING IN THE RAIL INDUSTRY?
My interest in this field began when I joined RailTEC during my master’s program. As a research assistant in the infrastructure group, I worked on an ongoing project sponsored by the Federal Railroad Administration. The project focused on utilizing AI-based technology for railway safety inspections and track condition change detection. This involved working in a team, collaborating with partners and sponsors, conducting field data collection trips, analyzing data, presenting the results at different conferences, and developing journal papers. Apart from the research experience, taking relevant courses offered by the brilliant faculty and becoming a member of the AREMA Student Chapter helped me better understand my interests and pursue a career in this industry.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO WOMEN TRYING TO BREAK INTO ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY FIELDS?
Take your passion seriously, be open to challenges, and don’t get discouraged by the inconveniences.
(This interview was conducted in 2024.)
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