‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’. This saying perfectly applies to a young Saudi woman who had craved for success since the very beginning and worked hard to achieve her goals. Not one to care about the negativity she got from people, she proved that women can get their rights as much as men can. She made her way herself and made Saudi society proud of her and her achievements.

In an interview with Arab News’ sister publication Sayidaty, Saudi engineer Shahad Al-Azzaz, 23, expresses her desire for knowledge, humbleness, ethics, simplicity and all things beautiful.

Who is Shahad Al-Azzaz?

I am the second daughter of my parents Qasim Badryia Al-Qablan and Saleh Al-Azzaz. I was born in Riyadh where I studied until high school. I graduated in 2007 from Najd private school and scored the second place in Najd province. I then moved to Britain for my bachelor degree, and then Spain for my higher education. My four siblings and I grew up in an environment full of love for knowledge, learning about different cultures, gaining self-esteem and accepting others’ opinions. My father — may he rest in peace — taught us a lot, from dining table etiquette to the spring trip in the desert.

How was high school, according to you?

High school was amazing and beautiful. It was so much fun because of friends. I challenged myself to dedicate my success to my mother to make her forget her sadness after my father’s death. I was competing with my best friend for the first place. We both succeeded, in spite of the difficulties but we were having fun with all the subjects.

Why did you choose engineering in particular?

Engineering is what chose me, not vice versa. I saw myself as a medicine student and I was in love with medical books. I was accepted in a medical college in Ireland, but my sister Shaihana who discovered my artistic talent thought I should invest this talent in the engineering field. She encouraged me to study engineering, and so I did. I went to Manchester university in Britain, and throughout my college years, I knew that engineering is for me. Creativity, concept and vision are the base of engineering, which makes some engineers legends through their works. Antony Ghawidi’s craziness reflects him in every corner in the city of Barcelona. I saw through my study that I can provide a lot in this field.

How was your study abroad? And what are the difficulties you faced?

Studying abroad is a discovering journey and ‘a one of a kind’ experience. If traveling has several benefits, studying abroad has many more. Despite the challenges students face outside their homes, the advantages are more. You learn a lot from being alone and on your own. It teaches you how to make new friends, and the competition with different students from all over the world teaches you the meaning of challenging and the desire for success. You are not only benefiting from studying, but from everything around you, different cultures and traditions. Through my study abroad, I know how to look at life differently and with a positive perspective.

How did the idea of working as an engineer in Spain come about?

I was in my last year, and like all students of College of Engineering, we seek jobs from engineering companies around the world. We were worried about our future in the busy market, and after graduation we faced the problem. The world’s economy was not very reassuring, especially with the unemployment rate in Europe and other countries, in addition to women’s state in Saudi Arabia, which made me think of any way out to work in my major. We used to spend our summer vacations in Spain after my graduation. So I contacted the Rafael de Lajous company in Madrid and I found an opportunity to work for them as an intern. Through my training period, I got an offer to work as an engineer in the company, until I became the director of Middle East projects in a short period.

What does working with Rafael de Lajous, one of the oldest engineering companies in Europe, mean to you?

It means a lot to me actually. On the personal side, it means achieving my dream and ambition. As for my job for Rafael, it is a famous company and it was a turning point in my life. I learnt many principles and work ethics through my work. Most importantly,I learnt respecting time, working successfully within a group and respecting others’ viewpoints and creativity.

You are 23-year-old, and you were promoted as a director for Middle East projects in the company. How did that make you feel about it?

It made me feel proud, not only of myself, but of my country when I represent it through this huge company. And through giving me managing tasks, I learnt the ability to manage individuals from different cultures and nationalities. I learnt communication skills with costumers. We do not realize our abilities unless we experience them in reality. Hard experiences shape humans like the fire shapes iron. So we have to go through life’s hardships and difficulties. Also, confidence and believing in one’s self makes everything hard easy.

Didn’t you find difficulties in pursuing your business and your studies at the University of IE in Madrid?

The decision of going to the university was a dream that I did not dare to think of at the time. My effort was focused on the business tasks that were increasing day after day, but my sister’s encouragement had an impact in achieving this dream.

In February this year, your university project was chosen for the best project award and you were granted the best performance award for bagging the first place among master’s graduates. How did you find this? Was it expected?

I was not expecting success nor the first place, especially that I was the youngest among individuals who own institutions, corporations and high expertise in the relevant field, but I was always working to reach the highest echelons and not accepting any less. I believe that every step is not devoid of fear and anxiety, which makes for a different thrill of success. How awesome to work silently to explode your success in public!

Does your job as an engineer contradict with the nature of Saudi society?

My job as an engineer does not require muscle strength, but professional skill and artistic and intellectual creativity, and this is equal for both men and women. Saudi society today is an extension of the community yesterday. Women used to work in agriculture, and have had an important role in desert and rural societies. And today, urban cities offer jobs for women that were not available for them before. Also, the economic development is reflected in the evolution of society positively, whether for men or women. So I see that my job as an engineer does not contradict with Saudi society.

In case you worked in Saudi Arabia, what would the nature of your work be?

The nature of my work in Spain includes the idea of preliminary design studies and architectural blocks, and then preparing the plans and presenting the project to the contractors. My dream is to work in Saudi Arabia in the field of design engineering for the issuance of a local world-class product.

What are the challenges you faced in achieving your ambition?

The challenges grow with the ambitions. And my ambition does not stop at a certain point. I aspire to achieve more than a stable job and a monthly stipend, as I aspire to be the face of the Kingdom.

Do you mean that you have a plan to work in an architecture engineering company in Saudi Arabia?

I have many plans and society needs a lot. What we need is the procedures to be easier. The development at work needs more sophisticated systems. My hopes are great and I do not know what the future holds for me.

What are Saudi women capable of doing?

My work in Spain has proved to me that Saudi women are capable of any work and occupying any profession. Work is an honor for both women and men and it is not a defect. Their achievements confirm that there is no difference between men and women, except for what each of them accomplish, and the efficiency of the accomplishment. The obstacles which can be found in the way of women’s work are man-made, and we have to start overcoming the difficulties that women face, and take advantage of their capabilities to support their families and society as a whole. Women are able to benefit society.

Does the Saudi woman get her full rights? And what does she lack?

The educated and conscious Saudi woman can get a lot of her rights, and we should not put obstacles in her way. We should enable them to exercise their right to education and the right to work. These are basic human rights. In some cases, Saudi women lack freedom of choice as certain restrictions are being imposed upon them. We look forward to a better future that can be achieved only in a society where everyone has equal will and responsibility, and freedom of expression and choice.

What would you advise Saudi women?

I will not advise Saudi women, but rather share with them the opinion that we are seeing a more advanced stage in favor of women under the auspices of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah. And we should take advantage of this phase to the fullest by taking the initiative, breaking through the barriers and working hard. Force stems from within us, and success does not know gender or nationality.

How would you describe your journey so far?

The journey does not end at what we have achieved, but what we can achieve during the course of our lives. And my journey was difficult but not impossible as it comprised the thrill of success.

Do you wish to return to Saudi Arabia?

I did not cut off my connection with Saudi Arabia. I’ve always been following our projects in the Kingdom and the Middle East and I have been in constant contact with society. My relationships with my family and my friends are strong. I will eventually return to my homeland.

What traits or qualities did you inherit from your father? How do you describe your relationship with him?

I may have inherited artistic talent from him, and I learned a sense of responsibility, sharpness and hard work. As for my relationship with him, he had been traveling a lot, but he used to write to us letters filled with lessons of life. He was a father, a brother and a friend, and during his medical trip, which lasted for more than a year in Houston, he was a close friend, a lover of life until he almost made us forget his illness and pain.

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