Saira Mughal – Tech Lead QA Automation at KeepTruckin

For me, women are more passionate and creative so if they develop an interest in computing they will be unbeatable and can bring in unbelievable innovations to this world. 

By nature, Saira Mughal is a Software Developer digging into multiple algorithms and software design patterns to produce efficient, precise yet easy code to solve problems. In her current role, she is a mentor and a Tech Lead of hard-working personnel focused to write Automated tests. She is a curious person and a constant learner. Always looking for opportunities where she can innovate something using existing knowledge and more explorations.

Saira observed her passion for programming from school life when she started learning GWBasic and used to code using black screens like terminals. After completing her degree in Computer Science, she opted the C++ development and is now experimenting with Javascript and many more new tools. 

Mother of two hyperactive kids. They have inherited from her to constantly challenge yourself and always trying new experiments (Though it may turn into a disaster sometime). 

Her inner sole is a bit adventurous so she loves to hike and trek in wildness. She loves to go to unexplored expeditions.  Playing Table Tennis and Badminton are some of her favorite leisure time activities. She won some inter Companies Titles in Table Tennis and Badminton. She wants to instill this to her kids also.

In a Nutshell: Tell us a bit about your job and what role technology plays in it?

I am a Tech Lead for the QA-Automation team at KeepTruckin based in the USA and bringing innovations in the Fleet and Freight market. In my current role, I oversee a team of personnel focused on test automation, including test development, product releases, and engineering tasks. In addition to hiring and training staff and delegating work assignments, I also collaborate with colleagues to identify and repair release process issues to deliver on-time and Bug-free products. During my 10 years career, I got a chance to work in different IT domains including health, banking, Artificial Intelligence, FinTech, and now the Trucking industry. In my opinion, Technology exists everywhere, whether its a small calculator or a Space station to conquer the space. I have witnessed and became part of only some of the tech miracles and looking forward for more. 

Where did your professional journey start and how did you get to where you are now?

I challenged myself and tried to break the taboo of “Females can’t write code and especially C++ language is not for girls”.

The journey started 10 years back when I was still a student, I started my career as a Software Developer using C++ programming language. This language is still considered to be one of the toughest but strong language as it closely works with machine hardware. So I challenged myself and tried to break the taboo of “Females can’t write code and especially C++ language is not for girls”. Implementing different algorithms using multiple Software design patterns became my hobby. 

After mastering a skill I always looked for something new which can push my limits so I can expand my learning curve. During my tenure I mastered the printing press concepts, encrypting the customer’s confidential data, making the Software Products accessible to all people (whether they have a disability or not), and artificial intelligence for Blockchain. I climbed up the ladder of my professional career and promoted to Senior Software Developer and Then Scrum Master and now a Tech Lead in the world’s renowned company. 

What is the greatest transformation in technology you’ve witnessed in your career?

Lots of groundbreaking technologies have emerged in this decade. This decade is considered to be the time of Greatest Digital transformation. So many things come in my mind i.e Smart Devices, Cloud Computing, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain to decentralize the data, and many more. But in my opinion, it is all because of easy access to the Internet everywhere even in the poorest part of the world. 

When you think about ‘women’ and ‘technology’ what comes to your mind first?

Whenever I hear “women” and “Technology”, the Next word comes to my mind is “Perfect Combination”. For me, women are more passionate and creative so if they develop an interest in computing they will be unbeatable and can bring in unbelievable innovations to this world. 

We always hear there are not enough women working in Tech. What needs to happen to change that, which steps should be done to achieve gender equality in tech?

Believing is the second name of achieving.

When you enter into Tech World, You realize there are more men than women. But it should not stop us, from prospering. I believe women can be more imaginative and creative when they start believing in their abilities and powers. Believing is the second name of achieving. One thing we can do more is to prove ourselves with actions and help other women by creating more opportunities and setting examples. I read somewhere and strongly agree with is:

Having role models who are the same gender as you, who look like you, who came from a similar background as yours, can go a long way.

Which was the best decision in your career?

I challenged myself by going where I could learn and grow the most.

The best decision in my career was “ If you want to succeed, Believe in yourself and Take risk”. In my first job when I spent a long time and was very comfortable with my working environment, I resigned and started a new job in a totally different domain. I challenged myself by going where I could learn and grow the most.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your 14-year-old self?

Something which I will advise to my 14 years old self is never be shy of asking what you don’t know about. Because I think seeking information is never counted as stupidity. It demands courage but it may open up new doors which you can miss otherwise.

Saira Mughal is a Software Developer digging into multiple algorithms and software design patterns to produce efficient, precise yet easy code to solve problems. In her current role, she is a mentor and a Tech Lead of hard-working personnel focused to write Automated tests. She is a curious person and a constant learner. Always looking for opportunities where she can innovate something using existing knowledge and more explorations.

Saira observed her passion for programming from school life when she started learning GWBasic and used to code using black screens like terminals. After completing her degree in Computer Science, she opted the C++ development and is now experimenting with Javascript and many more new tools. 

Mother of two hyperactive kids. They have inherited from her to constantly challenge yourself and always trying new experiments (Though it may turn into a disaster sometime). 

Her inner sole is a bit adventurous so she loves to hike and trek in wildness. She loves to go to unexplored expeditions.  Playing Table Tennis and Badminton are some of her favorite leisure time activities. She won some inter Companies Titles in Table Tennis and Badminton. She wants to instill this to her kids also.

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