Name: Sajida Shabanali
Educational Journey: Three-time alumna of the University of West Florida (Bachelor’s in Computer Information Systems and Masters in Software Engineering and Cybersecurity); Associate’s Degree in Applied Science from Queensborough Community College
Experience: Cybersecurity Instructor and Employer Engagement Coordinator at the University of West Florida’s Center for Cybersecurity
Areas of Interest: Cybersecurity; Intelligent Systems; AI; Student Success
What could change in your life — and in the lives of those watching you — if you decided to take the first step toward your dream?
Every big dream begins with a small step. For Sajida Shabanali, it was deciding that she could honor where she came from — a long line of generous, hardworking homemakers — while choosing her own path: the first woman in her family to earn a degree.
“I aspire to be a catalyst for change”
A Modern-Day Matriarch
Behind the celebratory moments of multiple degrees, are years of carrying the responsibility of many, as a singular person: balancing both professional and graduate school responsibilities, nurturing future generations while supporting her parents, and many self-sacrifices. “In fact, part of my master’s capstone thesis explored this very challenge, particularly the difficulties of managing family responsibilities while pursuing professional growth in a demanding and constantly evolving field like cybersecurity,” says the multitasking powerhouse.
Sajida learned to take it one day, one assignment, and one exam at a time through every available moment: listening to lectures while cooking dinner, doing homework while in the car line to pick up her kids from school, and spending nights studying for exams while her family slept.
As someone building her own future while holding a multi-generational family together, Sajida learned and leaned into the importance of personal wellness. Her favorite way to destress and connect? Her Zumba group! “It’s not just about physical fitness, exercise is an excellent way to “let you hair down” and recharge your energy,” reflects the AiC Stories Ambassador.
Her journey has been hectic, but gratifying. Her advice to anyone else balancing multiple commitments is simple:
Put “me time” on your calendar!
Whether it’s exercising, reading, enjoying a hobby, or taking a quiet walk, treating that time as a solo appointment is just as important as taking care of everything/everyone else.
Technology as a Bridge — of Cultures and Learning
While Sajida currently resides in the Florida Panhandle, she’s amassed memories and loved ones all over the world. Born in Tanzania and raised in Dubai, she then completed her associate’s degree — at Queensboro Community College — in New York City.
Leaving family and a city she loved for graduate school wasn’t easy, but her global journey hasn’t been in vain. Sajida now applies the skills she’s gained from being a Third Culture Citizen — sensitivity, adaptability, and open-mindedness — in the classroom to make learning meaningful and accessible to all of her students.
Through these real-world examples, she helps her students unlock intellectual doors — “they have the key, says the Cybersecurity instructor, they just need a little encouragement and guidance to figure out how to properly use it. Once that door opens, they begin to see possibilities they may not have imagined before.” Once they do, the “aha!” moments of finally figuring out something they’ve been struggling with (a tricky algorithm, a SQL injection exercise, or even general overthinking!) is what brings her the greatest sense of joy and purpose in the classroom.
“My advice to other professors is to never underestimate the power of encouragement. Sometimes all a student needs is someone who believes in them and becomes their personal cheerleader.”
Whether Sajida is in the classroom or another part of the world, her vision remains the same: a commitment to empowering youth and shaping future generations. Her dedication to collective growth and mentorship has also landed her as a volunteer for multiple organizations: the Florida Business Leaders of America (FBLA), the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), and the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Florida Panhandle and Southern Alabama local affiliate.
“What I love about volunteering with NCWIT is that it brings together people from different backgrounds, ages, experiences, and stages of their careers. You meet students just beginning their journeys, educators, industry professionals, and mentors, all connected by a shared desire to make a difference.”
Through these spaces, she’s continuing to learn, grow, and create new possibilities — not only for herself but for those who come after her, too! If you’re working toward your own milestone, let Sajida’s story give you permission to never give up on your dreams! The late nights, small steps, and sacrifices all count. Your future — and the future of tech – are both yours to shape!