Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Habiba Faisal. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Habiba, appreciate you joining us today. Who is your hero and why? What lessons have you learned from them and how have they influenced your journey?
My hero, in the present situation, is not a single person. Had I answered this question a few days back – my answer would have been the name of a tech expert or founder, associated with silicon valley or MAANG. However, now, in the past few days my perspective towards life has changed to an extent that the people I did not know once have now become an epitome of resilience for me and I am highly inspired by them. I believe when you call someone your hero and ideal, you should look up to them because they are better in ways and in aspects in which you intend to learn in. Life has its own challenges, one moment or the next, something either goes too smoothly or beyond your expectations. But what matters is our attitude – whether we let it control emotions or ride through the wave until its smooth. The people I will be talking about have gone through the worst we can imagine in the present times, but their strength gives us a reason how we can go through life and the small challenges by looking at them. And yes, I am talking about the people of Gaza. The atrocities they are undergoing sends shiver down my spine and even though I have not been able to do anything about them, I, surely, have learnt a lot from them. Main lesson being to be on the path of righteousness even though the world outside gets dark.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m Habiba Faisal, a Computer Science student passionate about mobile app development. As easy as it sounds now to say that I am pursuing my career in development, it has been a rough and tough journey to finally came to the decision. I have explored various domains from cyber security to even content writing and what not. From reporting small bug to US Department of Defense to finally switching to mobile apps – my exposure has allowed me to roam freely in the tech domain. And now, I am enthusiastic to purse and contribute towards an extraordinary project with my ideas and innovation. I like to read, write and discover and simultaneously create so I can have a room to my ideas.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
During my time exploring the domain of website vulnerabilities and weaknesses, I encountered many difficult scenarios and challenges where I kept thinking about quitting. However, I knew, that I cannot leave something just because I am scared of failing. I can keep on trying, what’s the worse that can happen. Failure. So lets try. Eventually, after reporting many bugs where were either not considered and marked as informational but not critical, I did stumble upon a vulnerability which was actually considered. This was a small moment of achievement for me. What seems a small milestone to other people meant a lot to me because I actually got somewhere. I was glad that I did not give up. The decision to not continue it anymore was personal but deep down I was satisfied that if I want, I will be able to do it.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Everything in life happens for a reason. That is one line we usually live by, we tell ourselves that every situation has good. My faith tells me that when things are not working out in the way I want them to, they will definitely work out in a way which is beyond my comprehension and ultimately take me to the destination I wanted to. But saying this line is actually very easy, what is difficult is to absorb it completely. I wanted to get into my dream college and I did, on a condition. I was expecting to clear everything as my success was obvious. However, 2 days before my college started, I failed. I failed in my results when it was not expected. It meant my admission will be cancelled, I might have to take a gap year and the worst part – I will have to bear the title of failure on my marksheet for the rest of my life when I did not even do anything wrong. The error was at the systems end but in almost all the previous cases, the system rarely accepts its mistake. Usually the students have to bear the loss and the consequences.
Things changed a lot in 2 weeks, I was on the edge of getting kicked out of college yet my parents were trying their level best to make things right. And eventually, by the grace of Allah, the system not only accepted but also rectified my result. What was previously a failure transformed into an A+. My admission was not cancelled and 2 years later my name was included in the top 20 students of my city as the results were announced.
I had to unlearn the lesson that sometimes, after all your handwork, all your efforts things do not work out. But this does not mean they won’t. They will, eventually, but you have to trust the process. You have to have faith that what you want will come to you, the journey might be different but you will get to your destination.
Contact Info:
- Website: habibablogs.wordpress.com
- Instagram: habibablogs
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/habiba-faisal-a46b75176/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/habibablogs?t=2QyE5OXpL0hLSyCtTknOKQ&s=09
