Naima, an upbeat and insightful technology consultant, shares with AMAANY Magazine her experience
    and views on a career in information technology:

    Naima, can you tell readers about your education and how it influenced your career decision?

    I received my BA in Political Science and Psychology from Rutgers University. I originally started in
    broadcast journalism after college. I was at ABC News working on the production of shows like 20/20
    and Primetime. I was somewhat dissatisfied with the industry's entertainment-centric nature. I found that
    the industry is also saturated, offering little upward movement. So, being that a girl's gotta eat, I switched
    to something I believed to be more stable and with more potential for professional growth so I ventured
    into Information Technology (IT).

    Have you faced any challenges being a Muslim woman in IT whether in the workplace or possibly
    from family or community?

    Alhamdulillah, I don't think I've had any professional problems being a woman in IT, and my family has
    always been supportive of my varying interests and ambitions.

    I'd say the closest thing to an issue I've come across is learning to deal with men in a way that is open
    and facilitating professionally, but guarded and distant in a positive way in terms of personal interaction.
    That can be a bit of a tough balancing act, but I think it's an educational experience and a valuable skill to
    develop.

    What do you enjoy about IT? What is it like?

    At the right place, you can really put your creativity to work which appeals to me. Product management
    requires concurrent interaction with several functional groups within a company. More than anything else,
    it means communicating your ideas to all teams, bearing in mind practical, technical, marketing, and
    business perspectives. As I said earlier, you can really explore and grow professionally.


    Who inspires you?

    My mother. Her happiness seems to truly be independent of all things material. She is unwavering from
    her principles not because of the opinions of others, but because God is watching. He really picked the
    right mom for me.

    It seems that nowadays, women have to deal with more and more challenges within their respective
    industries. How would you suggest that women approach such challenges?

    Again, be confident of yourself and your convictions. People respect those who live by their principles
    regardless of what others may think. Be honest about your abilities and knowledge. Truly make an effort
    to do your best with the responsibilities that are entrusted to you. And don't be afraid to ask "stupid"
    questions, there’s no such thing.
Naima Afridi’s family came to America in the
late 1970’s from Karachi, Pakistan. She was
born in Houston, Texas and raised in the U.S.
along with her two brothers. One is her twin and
the other is 10 years younger. Naima’s mother
is a homemaker and her father, may Allah (swt)
have mercy on him, spent his life as a teacher
and passed away several months ago. Naima
lives with her family in their hometown of
Edison, New Jersey.


Whatever you decide to do, be confident in yourself and your
convictions. Know that despite your best efforts, you may not
get what you want, expect, or deserve.

So guard yourself from being irretrievably invested in
something by remembering that Allah is the best of planners.
Whatever happens, be prepared to be strong, gain what
wisdom there is to be gained, and keep moving.
Send your comments and questions regarding this article to: careerhorizon@amaany.org
Copyright © 2008 AMAANY Magazine, All Rights Reserved
    PHOTO CREDITS: Naima Afridi
Muslim Women in Technology
Naima Afridi