What makes you a Difference Maker?

I believe what makes me a Difference Maker is that I always aim to help each and every person I come across, even if they're just worlds away. The feeling of knowing that more can be done to help those who are in need, is something I definitely wanted to accomplish in some way everyday. It took some time and understanding to realize that we may have it all here, but some of those around us may not have the same luxuries as us. And most definitely those who are seas away from us, do not even have the most basic essentials like we do. I knew that I had to find ways to bring those essentials in some shape or form to those who need them. Thus, I was involved in planning and coordinating events and fundraisers that would help local communities around us such as raising about $5,000 for Helping Hand USA and the UM-Dearborn Food Pantry. In addition to the organizing for the local communities, I wanted to also make sure that we were expanding our reach and our resources to impoverished countries like Yemen, Palestine, Syria, India, and more. Through the creation of fundraisers to bring awareness about the girls unable to attend school in countries like India, Syria, Ecuador, Nepal, and more, is where I found my passion to do more than just in my zip code. I looked into many ways on how I can expand my reach to these girls, even though I can't be there to help physically just yet. I joined organizations like She's The First, where we raised money to sponsor girls all over the world to go to school. After just raising enough to sponsor just one girl, I felt instant tears of joy that a little girl in a third world country, like I once was, is now getting her first step towards her dream. This is why I want to listen to the stories and help those in need, whether they're 30 mins away or 3000 miles away so, I can become a better leader by figuring out ways to help make their dreams come true, even if it's the smallest thing.

Tell us about your leadership experience.

Being a leader means to be a follower first. When I first started joining organizations on campus, I sat back learning about what each org did at their general body meetings and learned about what their goals and missions were. Once I found out what the organizations were all about, I started participating more in meetings and asking questions on how I can help reach the goals they had set. Eventually, I started formulating new goals and ideas for the organization and realized I want to hold a greater position help see through these ideas. Before I became the Events Officer for the First Gen Student Org, I was just a member of the organization. The First Gen Student Org has given me a community I never knew I needed, and I saw firsthand how that new community has helped me and my First Gen peers. So when the time came around for a new board position, I knew I wanted to throw my hat into the ring to bring my ideas on how to strengthen the First Gen community on campus to life. I would not have been inspired to join the board without watching and learning what the org was all about first. Seeing the change I can make firsthand as leader in the organizations I held high positions in such as Student Government, MSA, SWE, SASA, and First Gen, helped me bring awareness of about these amazing communities to as many people as possible. This also applies to when I help tutor kids from my old high school on how to prepare for college and I am always invited back every year to talk to the seniors about what the college experience is like. Many of these students are first generation college students like me and have no idea what they want to do, or become. And for them to know that there are people, like me, who is here to help guide them in anyway possible. I want them to be able to go through the same enlightening process as I did: learning about college and the organizations and then being motivated to take a big part in it.

What is your dream career or goal?

My dream career is to become a UI/UX Designer for any of the top tech companies. UI/UX is super important to ensure that users can enjoy using our tech creations with ease. My long-term life goal is to get a Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence and Human-Centered Design & Engineering. Within 10 years, I want to be able to use my knowledge, experience, and skills to create a school or program for young girls who want to do STEM in the country that I was born in, Bangladesh. As a First Generation college student and as the very first engineer in my family, I want to pave a path for not just my siblings, but for girls everywhere. Every day I am so thankful that I was blessed to be able to get this great education, however, there are millions of young girls all over the world who do not get the same opportunity. I want to be able to use my future wealth and career to help those who are not fortunate enough to pursue their dream goals. Education should be something that is offered to anyone everywhere at anytime, and I want to be able to contribute to that.

What is your most defining moment?

My most defining moment at UM-Dearborn was when I was invited to speak at the admitted student's reception on the student's panel. I was honored to have this opportunity to speak to potential Wolverines about how warm and welcoming this campus is. I was also just in awe realizing that after a few short years, I was just on the other side of that panel sitting on a chair listening to students talk about their amazing college experiences. I knew then that one day, I want to be up there and feel the same happiness and pride that those student panelists felt. And indeed I felt that same happiness and pride when I was on that panel. Just being able to speak confidently and proudly of the fantastic and inspiring moments I have had so far at UM-Dearborn to some 300-ish attendees had really humbled me. After the panelist event of the reception, some students came up to me afterward and asked me questions about things I have not experienced yet. That's when I knew that, even though I had this great opportunity to be a part of the panel, my experience is not over yet. I still had so much to learn and so much to experience and enjoy. My response to them was that learning something new at UM-Dearborn is never-ending, and that is why it's such a great place to start your college career at. I felt really proud of myself that day that I was chosen to speak to those students today and to let them know that college is a never-ending learning experience in all aspects.