AECOM marked Emirati Women’s Day by celebrating the profound achievements of its Emirati women contributing to AECOM's mission of delivering a better world. 

Celebrated annually on August 28th, Emirati Women’s Day recognizes the achievements of all UAE women and the integral role they play in the country’s growth and development.

Launching graduate careers

Construction Business News Middle East spoke to three of AECOM's exceptional women graduates who are making their mark in industry. 

Sultanah, Sara and Meera spoke about their careers and the valuable impact they have made so far within the private sector.

Committed to youth development, AECOM launched its ADVANCE graduate program in 2013 to help equip young professionals with the tools they need to develop into well-rounded experts. The program delivers a structured framework of learning, focused on both technical development and soft skills. The program has grown in popularity over the years and AECOM is proud to be shaping the UAE’s industry leaders of the future. 

AECOM encourages its Emirati women graduates to take ownership of their career development. The most impactful learning can be the skills and knowledge developed on the job or learnt by doing. The ADVANCE Program provides guidance on the professional and technical competencies required by Emirati women graduates to be successful and to drive their careers.

Shaping the cities of tomorrow 

Sara Khan, an AECOM Graduate GIS Specialist, graduated from Sorbonne University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Geography and Urban Planning. 

In her role at AECOM, Sara specializes in using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to support urban planning projects. This involves analysing spatial data, creating detailed maps and providing insights to design and implement effective urban development strategies.

"My work contributes to making informed decisions that shape the cities of tomorrow,” commented Sara.

Joining AECOM was a natural choice for her due to its reputation as a global leader in infrastructure and urban development. Its commitment to innovation, sustainability and delivering impactful projects aligns with her own professional aspirations.

“I was particularly drawn to AECOM’s diverse and collaborative work environment, which provides ample opportunities for learning and growth,” she added.

Read more about Sara's career at AECOM.

Being at the forefront of innovation

Sultanah Alshemeili is an AECOM Graduate Electrical Engineer. 

Sultanah graduated from the Higher Colleges of Technology in Ras Al Khaimah with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. 

She joined AECOM in February 2024 as a Graduate Electrical Engineer specializing in dry utilities. In her current role, Sultanah focuses on designing low voltage (LV) networks, street lighting networks and telecom networks.

Sultanah's passion for the electrical engineering industry stems from a deep-seated fascination with how electrical systems power the modern world. 

From a young age, Sultanah was intrigued by the intricate workings of electrical devices and the infrastructure that supports them. This curiosity grew into a passion for understanding and designing electrical networks that are both efficient and sustainable.

Choosing to work in the private sector, particularly with a leading firm like AECOM, was driven by her desire to be at the forefront of innovative solutions and advanced technologies. The private sector offers dynamic opportunities to work on diverse and impactful projects, fostering professional growth and providing a platform to collaborate with top-tier professionals. 

“It allows me to contribute to transformative projects that shape our communities, making a tangible difference in the built environment,” highlighted Sultanah.

Read more about Sultanah's career at AECOM.

Contributing to meaningful projects

Committed to creating an inclusive environment where UAE Nationals feel supported and empowered to reach their full potential, AECOM Graduate Talent Acquisition Coordinator Meera Almarri believes everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive in their careers. Meera is dedicated to connecting talented UAE nationals with roles where they can apply their unique skills and perspectives to AECOM’s impactful work.

Meera was inspired to join AECOM as a Talent Acquisition Graduate due to its forward-thinking Emiratization policy and proactive approach to develop local talent. In addition, AECOM’s reputation for innovation and excellence in the global engineering and infrastructure sector offered a dynamic environment where she could contribute to meaningful projects while advancing her HR career.

One of Meera’s proudest achievements at AECOM has been leading the effort to meet its Emiratization goals. Achieving this in a short timeframe required strategic planning and dedication.

“It has been incredibly rewarding to see our efforts come to fruition,” said Meera.

Read more about Meera's career at AECOM.

Work for a company committed to women's development

AECOM's commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion enables the company to better predict its clients’ needs, understand the challenges facing the communities it serves, drive innovation that propels the industry forward, and realize the company's purpose of delivering a better world.

Discover the many exciting career opportunities at AECOM.

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