Her Story
About Afsheen
I came to the United States from Pakistan on a fully funded scholarship after 8 years of dedicated effort and struggle. I completed my undergraduate degree in Pakistan in 2022, and even while I was there, I was helping a lot of students through a very big platform. Now I am at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan, where I am working as a research intern with my professor in computer science. I am the first student in my professor's lab, and my work focuses on merging computer science with healthcare. My current research topic is mental health and depression, and we are working with datasets from the United States. I have built and trained multiple models, and we are now in the final steps of publishing our research. Beyond my academic work, I am deeply involved with iCodeGuru, a platform created by Silicon Valley engineers that helps thousands, even millions, of students from Pakistan and other countries get better opportunities in the United States and elsewhere. As a moderator, trainer, and senior member of this organization, I have trained over 1,000 students and have been invited as a guest speaker at fundraising events. Every single day, I am working to improve myself and help others achieve their goals.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Afsheen
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to consistency, continuous learning, and a strong work ethic. I believe that setting clear goals and staying committed to them, even when faced with challenges, has helped me grow both personally and professionally. I am always eager to learn new skills, adapt to changing situations, and improve myself. Additionally, maintaining a positive attitude and being willing to seek guidance from mentors and colleagues have played an important role in my achievements.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to never stop learning and improving. In today's fast-changing world, skills and technologies evolve quickly, so staying curious and continuously developing new knowledge is essential for long-term success. This advice has encouraged me to embrace challenges, seek growth opportunities, and view mistakes as learning experiences rather than setbacks. It has helped me stay motivated and adaptable throughout my academic and professional journey.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to believe in their abilities, stay confident, and never hesitate to pursue opportunities that challenge them. Building strong technical and professional skills is important, but so is developing a network of mentors and peers who can provide guidance and support. Be curious, keep learning, ask questions, and don't be afraid to share your ideas. The technology industry benefits from diverse perspectives, and young women have valuable contributions to make. With dedication, resilience, and continuous learning, they can achieve their goals and make a meaningful impact in the field.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the technology field right now is keeping pace with rapid advancements, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. Professionals must continuously update their skills to remain relevant in an evolving industry. At the same time, these advancements create significant opportunities. Emerging technologies are transforming industries, improving efficiency, and enabling innovative solutions to complex problems. For individuals entering the field, there are more opportunities than ever to contribute to cutting-edge projects, solve real-world challenges, and make a meaningful impact through technology.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Spirituality and my religion are incredibly important to me. I love to learn about my religion and read books about spirituality because that spirituality hits me so hard. I am constantly working on improving myself through this spiritual practice and religious study. This personal growth and connection to my faith guides me in everything I do.
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