* 1987 | Iran
Field: Technology
Master’s in Electrical and Information Engineering (TU Darmstadt)
My job:
Mobile Network Planning Engineer at 1&1 Mobilfunk GmbH
Brief job description:
I began my career in mobile communications technology in 2011 and have worked in many different areas, including microwave planning, site deployment, fiber-optic network planning, and radio planning, which was my most recent role. Currently, I design end-to-end mobile network coverage, manage, and deliver specialized coverage projects for high-traffic locations such as stadiums, arenas, and airports.
Melika Rateghi
“I am convinced that a diverse technical workforce leads to greater innovation and that women bring unique perspectives that are important for the future of technology.”
Your vision for “Women in STEM”
We know that less than 30% of women worldwide work in STEM fields. STEM can therefore serve as the ideal platform for connecting women, academia, and industry around the world to exchange ideas, shape the future of women in terms of career opportunities and diversity, and encourage more women to pursue careers in STEM. I know that many women do not choose to study STEM because they are afraid they won’t be able to handle it, or because they traditionally believe these fields are more suited to men, but the “Women in STEM” program can change this mindset and transform the global perspective.
Did you have a clear idea of what your future would look like when you were a child? How did that evolve? Did your vision come true?
As a child, math was my favorite subject in school, and later in high school, physics also fascinated me with new insights into the fundamentals of the universe. I can also say that my family played a big role in steering me in the right direction. Although I knew what interested me, consulting with my family and experts helped me familiarize myself with all the technical fields of study, and I was gradually able to picture myself in my future career as an engineer. So I did it, I made that choice, and I’m happy about it.
Which person(s) or experience(s) had the greatest influence on your decision about what career to pursue, and why?
When I look at my family, my brother studied art, my sister studied business administration, and I studied telecommunications engineering. I’m certain that each of us had the opportunity to gain experience in every field of study and work, and that each of us chose the one that gave us the best experiences and feelings.
Twenty-five years ago, my cousin, a senior engineer at NASA, became my role model when he gave me a simple magazine on communications technology that explained electromagnetic fields. He is now retired, but during his career, he helped pass the torch to the next generation.
I believe it is very important to provide young people with an environment where they can connect with experts and envision their own future, to set them on the right path. “Women in STEM” can similarly help answer the questions of many young girls who are searching for future opportunities.
Please tell us how your interest in your profession, field of study, or craft was sparked.
I’ve always wanted to know how everything works and how to optimize it. Stochastic processes in probability theory are one of the major areas of telecommunications engineering and signal processing. The more I learned about them, the more interested I became in communications engineering. I learned to apply stochastic processes in my daily life, at work, and in my profession to achieve the best results. I believe that science and technology enable a lifestyle, not just a job.
What do you like most about your current job?
Engineering is like cooking. You have your ingredients, and with precise measurements, you can cook the best meal. Designing a perfect wireless network that delivers the best results at the end of the project is like an absolute rush of dopamine that makes me truly enjoy the work I do. I also appreciate my skills when I work on projects that are traditionally handled by men. I’m happy to work side by side with men in my dream job without ever feeling inferior.
These qualities have helped me along the way:
I’m a very detail-oriented person; I love facts and data and enjoy working with them. I love staying up to date and always using the latest technologies and features. Plus, the problem-solving approach really helps me.
If you could give young women some advice, what would it be?
We only live once, so you’re one of the lucky ones if you’re doing work you love. So think about it, talk about it, and ask about it today. We’re here for you. I can assure you that this will help you build a happy future.
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