Woman of influence says it brings great responsibility
Nominations have opened for this year’s Women of Influence awards. Presented by Westpac and Fairfax Media, the awards acknowledge and celebrate women who are helping to shape the future of the country. We profile some of the awards’ alumni in a weekly ser
Mahsa Mohaghegh is a programme leader and lecturer in the Department of Computing at Unitec.
The Aucklander is on a quest to address the gender ratio in the computer science and technology industry. She has a PhD in Computer Engineering from Massey University and in 2013 won the Women of Influence Emerging Leader category. What drives you in your work?
Being a lecturer, I’m in a position that enables me to influence my students for good and being able to see them succeed in what they set out to achieve drives me.
What’s your career highlight so far?
Last year I founded a group in New Zealand called She# (She Sharp). The group aims to bring together different generations of girls so they can network and influence each other for the better. We have more than 250 members. Who has been the biggest inspiration to you?
Anita Borg, the American computer scientist. She founded the Institute for Women and Technology and unfortunately has since died of a brain tumour. I was given the memorial Google Anita Borg Scholarship in 2012. I started to find out more about what she accomplished and her goals and they have been very inspirational in the work I’m doing now.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your life?
Unfortunately, the younger generation have a false image of computer science. I’m trying to encourage more girls to pursue it as a career. We still have a long way to go but hopefully all the little things will make a difference.
What does being a woman of influence mean to you?
It gives me a sense of great responsibility. I believe anyone can be an influence for good or bad but it’s up to them to ensure they make the right decision with the right motives to make sure they influence others for the best.
What are the biggest roadblocks facing women in the workplace?
I think themselves. Women in the workplace need to believe in themselves more, they need to trust in their own ability and see themselves as capable of doing anything they put their minds to. Once we change these things, we will begin to see more women leaders and more role models.
Have you ever encountered discrimination?
I’m always in the minority. During my study I always felt the need to prove myself. But all in all, I haven’t encountered much discrimination.
How do you balance home and work life?
This is something I’m still learning. With busy schedules we have we can’t always find time for things. Everything needs to be planned out well.
Which of your attributes are you most proud of?
Being organised and punctual. I like planning ahead and I enjoy when things progress well.
Which of your attributes could you live without?
A lack of patience. I’m really impatient, that’s another thing I’m constantly working on. What’s your guilty pleasure? Eating chocolate and clothes shopping, I’m like many other women like that.
If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
I would stop war. World peace would be great. Proudly presented by Fairfax Media and Westpac, nominations are open for the 2015 Women of Influence awards. Visit stuff.co.nz/national/ women-of-influence for more information.