To mark International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we’re celebrating the women at East West Rail who are helping to shape the future of science, technology and innovation across our organisation.
Innovation is key to delivering a railway and that innovation is powered by people with diverse experiences and perspectives. We want to shine a light on Shabana Khatau, our Full Stack and SharePoint Developer, as she shares her journey into tech and shares her advice for women and girls considering a career in STEM.
What’s your role at East West Rail?
I’m a Full Stack Developer and AI lead for our AI Centre of Excellence at East West Rail, with a mission to position EWR at the forefront of innovation by using AI to improve systems and deliver more efficient ways of working.
How did you get into technology and AI?
My journey into tech wasn’t traditional, I stepped away from my career for a period due to cultural and traditional barriers but later rediscovered my passion through coding. I retrained as a software engineer, and since then I’ve never looked back. I’ve embraced every opportunity to learn, grow and contribute within the field, and that’s led me to where I am today at East West Rail.
What advice would you give to women and girls interested in a STEM career?
Don’t let your background, age or any personal circumstances hold you back. STEM needs diverse perspectives, experiences and ways of thinking. It’s never too late to learn something new, change direction or follow a passion you’ve always had. There isn’t just one route into science or technology and that’s something to be proud of.
What does this year’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science theme mean to you?
For me, it’s about responsibly empowering the use of AI while developing innovative and creative ways for us to work. That’s how we make progress that truly benefits people and organisations like East West Rail.
On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we’re proud to highlight the women at East West Rail who are driving innovation and helping to shape the future of transport and technology.
Shabana’s story shows that there’s no single path into STEM and at EWR we remain committed to championing diversity, encouraging innovation and creating space for everyone to succeed.