From Montreal to Mars – this is Farah Alibay’s extraordinary journey. The space engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory shared her story about growth in the face of adversity during an inspiring lecture at the University of Luxembourg.
A journey paved with challenges and nuggets of wisdom
Alibay gave candid insights into the biases she faced as a French-speaking woman of colour from Canada, pursuing a career in the male-dominated field of aerospace engineering.
These are a few lessons learned from this remarkable journey:
- Never give up on chasing your dreams: If it’s something you deeply want, work towards it! Don’t close the door on yourself before someone else does.
2. Create your own space: Be proactive! Knock on doors, build your network, attend workshops and talks, and apply for roles even if you’re not 100% qualified.
3. Surround yourself with the right people: Find allies who will amplify your voice, support you, and ensure you have a seat at the table. Your community matters.
4. Be empathetic: Respect and value those around you. By fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment, we can all grow and thrive together.
Farah Alibay’s resilience shone through as she recounted not only the challenges but also the solutions she found – speaking up, building a support network, and breaking barriers one step at a time.
She recalled how she was often misjudged as a secretary or ‘paperwork girl’ rather than the engineer whose expertise mattered. On the brink of quitting, a supportive colleague vowed to help change things, and over time, she gained the respect she deserved. By speaking up, building a support network, and finding allies, Farah overcame challenges and broke barriers one step at a time.
Giving people a renewed sense of hope
Farah Alibay’s talk, organised by the Gender Equality Office, concluded the Women Leaders Lecture Series, leaving attendees with a renewed sense of purpose and hope. “Her reflections on navigating challenges reminded us of the importance of creating spaces for ourselves and working together to make the impossible possible,” noted a representative from the office.
As part of her visit, the space engineer visited SnT’s state-of-the-art research facilities, including the LunaLab, where she learned about the centre’s innovative Astronaut VR Training Simulation. SnT was thrilled to welcome Alibay and host this event, as the centre is committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity in research.
In a fully packed conference room, the speaker also engaged in lively discussions with participants, including students from the Master in Space Technologies and Business programme, providing inspiration and insights to the next generation.
Farah Alibay’s story serves as a powerful reminder that perseverance, community, and empathy are critical in turning dreams into reality.
Pictures: SnT/University of Luxembourg