Hareem Raza is a UX data analyst at LabXchange. Within computer science, she is interested in tech for good. In honor of Engineers Week, we sat down with Hareem to learn more about her career journey and her advice for other women in STEM. Keep reading to learn more!

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Tell us a little about yourself, your educational background and any other experiences that led you to your current role.

I am a computer science and mathematics graduate, and I live in Lahore, Pakistan. Within computer science, I am interested in data analytics, especially in the context of tech for good, like education. At LabXchange, I work as a UX data analyst. I combine my interests in data analytics and education to work on the product analytics of the LabXchange platform and its interactive content.

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What is a typical day like in your role?

I brainstorm product analytics requirements and metrics, discuss them with the analytics team, and then convert raw data in the data warehouse into analytics reports with visualizations and actionable insights. An interesting thing about my role is that it is neither completely product nor completely engineering. It is a mixture of both which allows me to learn from people in different teams and have a multidimensional view of my work.

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How did you become interested in STEM?

I don’t think I "became" interested in science, as such. I have always loved science, for as long as I can remember. As a student, science was my favorite subject, and I participated in a lot of science competitions and exhibitions as well. Eventually, I studied STEM in secondary school and computer science and mathematics in my post-secondary education.

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What is the first scientific experiment you remember performing?

Back in primary school, we grew plants in a jar with cotton and some seeds in it. We observed our plants for days and scrutinized their entire growth process. Apart from that, there are so many science experiments from high school that I vividly remember doing. For example, titrations were super fun!‍

Looking for an easy plant-growing activity? Check out "Hydroponics Made Easy" from Science Buddies!

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Who are your scientific inspirations, if any?

There are a lot of superwomen that I really look up to. Ada Lovelace, of course! More recently, I am quite inspired by Mira Murati, CTO of OpenAI.

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What advice would you give to young people, especially young women, interested in pursuing a similar role?

I actually have an advice journal where I jot down any and every piece of advice that I find relevant. Here are some of my favorites:

• Never say no to an opportunity just because you think you are not capable enough. Do not self-reject.
• Believe in yourself and your abilities. You belong in STEM just as much as anyone else, and your unique perspective and experiences are essential to advancing the field and creating an impact in the world.
• Surround yourself with supportive people who encourage and uplift you, and don't let anyone tell you that you can't succeed.

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