Her Story
About Sina
I've been in the engineering industry for about a year now, after pivoting from a background in communications, marketing, and business development. I was initially a business communications major and worked in those fields before a mentor from Robert Director Associates encouraged me to transition into engineering. At first, I was hesitant because it's a male-dominated space, and I was coming from environments with many women, including my time as a teacher. But my mentor took me under her wing, exposed me to technical documentation and project timelines, and really trained me throughout the whole process. Now my day-to-day involves a lot of operations, communication between different departments, and people development. I work with technical aspects that help me apply my business acumen to understand large-scale projects. I've been able to make meaningful contributions, including process improvements that reduced revision errors in documentation and helped projects move more efficiently. I also supported the marketing team to increase engagement and strengthen communication through consistent outreach, which earned me a promotion.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sina
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say I attribute my success to adaptability - being able to move across industries from education to engineering and everything in between. Attention to detail has been crucial in my work. Strong communication skills have helped me navigate different environments and departments. I also credit initiative and resilience. These qualities have allowed me to pivot successfully, learn quickly in new spaces, and thrive even when stepping into unfamiliar territory like a male-dominated industry.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is to choose growth over comfort. I was in my comfort zone, but choosing growth over comfort really pushed me forward. Another piece of advice that has stuck with me is to build skills, not just titles. It's about developing real capabilities and expertise rather than just chasing job titles or positions.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would definitely say know your value and don't shrink yourself. Speak early in meetings - it builds your presence and helps establish you in the room. I would also say over-prepare, because in male-dominated industries, preparation builds credibility. And definitely find allies, both women and men who respect your work and who will advocate for you in rooms that you're not in. Find yourself a mentor that will really guide you through the process. Having someone take you under their wing, like I did, makes all the difference.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Being one of the few women in certain rooms really requires a lot of resilience and strategic communication. You have to have a certain presence - confidence is really important for navigating these spaces. You need that executive presence for these environments. Representation is important as well. Being one of the underrepresented women and Black women, it's important for me to create an inclusive workplace. So the challenge is navigating a male-dominated space, but the opportunity is in breaking barriers and creating better representation for women who come after me.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my work, the values most important to me are integrity, being reliable and prepared, honesty, and making an impact. These guide how I show up professionally every day. In my personal life, I value authenticity - showing up as myself in every room I enter. Resilience is also key for me personally, especially when navigating different industries and environments. These values help me stay grounded whether I'm at work or in my personal life.
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