This week in 2023, as global delegates from our community gather in the distinguished nation of Morocco, we sit down with fellow Rahma Tizzane to reflect on TechWomen’s influence on her personal development, career trajectory and community impact since her experience as an Emerging Leader in the spring of 2022.
When Rahma Tizzane was selected to join the TechWomen program just a little over one year ago, she was working in operations at the automotive division of TE Connectivity in Tangier, Morocco. Upon receiving her invitation to take part in the TechWomen program, Rahma’s company was immediately supportive of the opportunity. They not only encouraged her to attend the 5-week TechWomen program in the U.S., but also arranged for her to take part in a customized enrichment experience at their location in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Directly following her eye-opening TechWomen program completion, Rahma headed off for North Carolina to take part in a month-long professional development visit. Upon arrival, Rahma was warmly received by TE Connectivity’s department heads, engineers and employees to hear Rahma give a detailed presentation about her TechWomen program. “Seeing me, a woman from Morocco, going to Silicon Valley and then Washington DC, really left an impression,” Rahma shared. “Many of my colleagues had never had an experience such as this. It showed them that growing up in a more high-tech country like the United States, or attending institutions such as Harvard or MIT, are not the only elements for success. My story demonstrated that you can see people from abroad, from developing countries, making it happen.”
Following this encouraging reception, Rahma took part in a rotational experience, interacting weekly with new department leaders and gaining orientation to the various divisions of the company, including Engineering, Product Development, Marketing and Project Management. She was also inducted into the company women’s network, TE WIN, with whom she met every week for luncheons, partner dinners and other powerful events. One of the highlights of her experience was when company CEO, Terrence Curtin, whom Rahma had contacted during her time in San Francisco, flew into the town from New York City to meet for a one-on-one lunch with Rahma.
“My experience in TechWomen gave me a chance to change other people’s mindsets,” Rahma reflects. “My colleagues saw someone coming from Africa and their company as a TechWomen leader. This instilled trust not only in me and my abilities, but also in my country. Because I have the stamp of TechWomen.”
Soon after returning home from the U.S., Rahma shared her life-changing TechWomen experience with her leadership and close colleagues at TE in Morocco. Wanting to amplify her message further, Rahma contacted the Moroccan News, an online news platform, and successfully secured interviews for her and all of her teammates to share about their experiences in Silicon Valley. “It’s all about initiative!”
In June of 2022, a mere three months after the completion of her TechWomen program, Rahma was promoted to Global Operations Strategy Project Manager of TE Connectivity Sensors. Today, she reports directly to the Vice President for North America and since August, has traveled in role to Germany, Romania, France and Mexico.
“It’s a moment of truth, a moment of providence,” she proclaims. “When you see yourself taking steps into your vision, it gives you confidence. It lets you know you’re on the right track. I am only 29 years old, yet I am working with people with vast expertise and experience. Still, I feel supported and I know that I can do even more.”
On the horizon, she sees several projects that she would like to accomplish in the near future. At the moment, she is making arrangements to go on speech circuit at several universities in Tangiers, Rabat and Agadir, with one objective being to educate graduate students on how to use their master’s graduation projects to launch them into the job market. In addition to this, she plans to start a podcast to host the many experts in tech and beyond with whom she has networked during her TechWomen program and ensuing travels. Lastly, she is taking steps to create a virtual network of women promoting African cooperation in STEM.
“I know that all of my hard work and the support from TechWomen got me there,” she continues. “It was a lesson for me to never give up and never lose hope. Sometimes it’s not the right place and right time. And it’s not just hard work. It’s passion, it’s timing, it’s endurance — all coming together. When we look in the mirror, we have to have tolerance and accept who we are. I know I’m doing well and I know I have a lot to work on, but I accept myself. I know that it will pay off.”
Wow what am amazing experience.
Techwomen is indeed a life changing experience.
Thanks a lot for sharing your story with us.
Please, give a chance to IRAQI WOMEN to be a part of TECH WOMEN