Meet Raya Kassam
Raya Kassam is currently pursuing her Dual Degree Bachelor of Arts in Honours Business Administration, at the Ivey Business School, and her Bachelors Engineering Science in Electrical Engineering at Western University. She will be working at Linamar Corporation as a co-op student. In her spare time, she likes to read, do yoga, hike, run, try out new foods/restaurants, go to art museums, travel, look through vintage stores, and listen to music.
When did your love of STEM begin?:
My interest in STEM initially came about as a young girl, I was fortunate enough to have family that really encouraged me to pursue my interests in Math and Science when most girls were pushed towards barbies, I was able to play with K’nex kits and build wooden models. My love for STEM fully developed in high school, while I was enrolled in a Science and Technology program where I was exposed to different manufacturing techniques, 3D printing machines, modelling software, advanced calculus, and physics. To me, STEM was intriguing because it was able to answer complex questions, and then have the ability to relate those theories to real-life applications. My knowledge of STEM allows me to understand and appreciate the small details of things I use every day. As well, with my degree in STEM, I find that I often tackle situations with a different perspective and greater understanding of how to best incorporate numerous interests into one solution.
What is the best part about working in the field of STEM?
STEM to me is so intriguing and enjoyable to study because every problem, question, or situation I come across feels like a challenge or intricate puzzle. Diving into topics or fields of study where I feel like I’m completely out of my realm of knowledge really pushes me to try my best and learn more. In STEM, I find that I’m consistently coming across topics that I hadn’t heard of before. STEM is a field where there is an unlimited amount of knowledge ripe for taking.
Another great thing about STEM I’ve found, especially in university, is that I’ve stopped focusing so much on my failures but on my learning experiences and the developments I’ve noticed in myself over time. If a project or exam doesn’t go the way I’ve planned, I’ve come to accept that as a part of the learning process. It’s the focus on constantly learning and expanding your tool kit to tackle problems that truly makes me love studying engineering.
What advice would you give young women interested in a career in STEM?:
Some advice that I would share with young women in STEM would be to make sure they empower the females around them. Female empowerment is important to me because, I’ve been able to see the impact support from female peers can have on your confidence and attitude towards challenges. With a strong support network of other female engineers, I’ve gained confidence in my abilities, opened myself to new possibilities, and become more comfortable taking risks. By encouraging more females to be leaders in their fields, we will be able to create a more sustainable and successful economy. With more than half of the world’s population under-represented in the corporate world, it is important that women are empowered to have their voices heard.
As well, I would encourage females to stand behind their opinions and advocate for themselves. In my time as a female in STEM, I’ve learned that no one will stop to hear what you have to say unless you make them. Especially in the workplace, if you can’t stand behind your own opinion then odds are others won’t either. It is important that every young girl is not only cheering on their female peers but are their own cheerleaders too. Advocacy needs to start within before it moves to others.