Her Story
About Wedad
I am an Assistant Professor at Purdue University Fort Wayne Campus, where I am currently in my third year. I started as a research professor for two years and am now in my first year on the tenure track. Before transitioning to academia, I worked as a civil engineer for six years. I completed my PhD in Civil Engineering with a focus on Construction Engineering and Management from Iowa State University in May 2024, finishing the program in less than three years while managing my responsibilities as a mother of two children. I also hold a Master's in Engineering and Project Management from the University of Jordan (2016) and a Bachelor's in Civil Engineering from the same institution (2014). Beyond my teaching and research, I am passionate about promoting Women in Construction enrollment in Construction Management. I organized the first Women in Construction event here at Fort Wayne, which was very successful. As a first-generation PhD holder and a Muslim woman working in a different country, I have faced and overcome unique challenges, and I am proud to have succeeded beyond expectations for a fresh professor in their first year.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Wedad
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my parents, my husband, my kids, and my brothers, as well as my professors who gave me the passion to pursue this degree. My family provided the support system I needed to complete my PhD while being a mother of two, and my professors from my bachelor's and master's degrees inspired me to follow this path. Their encouragement and belief in me helped me develop the passion for construction engineering and management that drives my work today.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is that as long as you have the passion towards a specific field, you will for sure be a successful person, and you would be able to manage any obstacles you may face. This advice has guided me throughout my journey, especially when facing challenges as a first-generation PhD holder and as a Muslim woman working in a different country. Having that passion has been the key to overcoming every barrier.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women that there is no limit for women technically to pursue any degree that women prefer. Every time we face challenges, we do have obstacles, but this doesn't mean we can't overcome them. Many women have already proven themselves and have a lot of evidence that they succeed in this industry. In construction management specifically, women already have the natural skills for leading and the management soft skills that we already need in the CM area. So don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it, because you already have what it takes.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I see unlimited opportunities in my field right now. Everything is just improving and progressing. There is nothing we can technically achieve without having the infrastructure for it, and this happens through infrastructure engineering and management. While everything in the world has many challenges, I can see we have a lot of opportunities in such a field. The potential for growth and impact is tremendous because infrastructure is fundamental to everything we do.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Ethics are first and foremost the most important value to me, especially professional ethics. I believe in giving my students everything I have that can help them to succeed in their life. This commitment to ethical practice and to truly investing in my students' success guides everything I do, both professionally and personally.
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