Finding Her Future Through Opportunity

Through an internship with V2X, leadership experiences and a network of campus mentors, UHCL finance student Aiman Fatima discovered a career path she never imagined while proving that determination can open unexpected doors.

At 15, Aiman Fatima's education came to an unexpected stop.

Forced to leave high school and move to Pakistan, she refused to let that be the end of her story. Determined to continue her education, she learned to read and write Urdu so she could complete Pakistan's board examinations, passing all 14 exams. When she later returned to the United States, she discovered those credentials would not transfer, requiring her to begin again.

Fatima earned her GED, completed an associate degree in real estate from Houston Community College, obtained her real estate license and, while raising her young son, transferred to the University of Houston-Clear Lake to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Finance.

Today, she is preparing to graduate while gaining hands-on experience through an internship with V2X, where she supports federal procurement for a contract within the NASA Johnson Space Center ecosystem.

"I never thought as a high school dropout I would be working in anything like this," Fatima said.

The opportunity came through UHCL's Strategic Partnerships Office after program manager Bernie Streeter connected her with the internship.

"I was trying to find a work-study that could help cover some of the costs," Fatima said. "Thankfully this one came up."

The internship has introduced Fatima to a side of the aerospace industry she had never considered. Working alongside procurement professionals, she reviews purchasing requests, helps ensure compliance with federal requirements and supports logistics operations while gaining experience with the systems and processes used throughout the industry.

"Procurement was something I hadn't even thought about," she said. "Getting my finance degree, the only things that came to my mind were financial investment or analysis or working in a bank somewhere. This is something new, and I actually really enjoy it."

For Fatima, the internship has reinforced what she is learning in the classroom while opening the door to new career possibilities.

"The education that I'm getting from UHCL right now, it's more theory-based, whereas this internship is giving me a different perspective," she said. "We get to work in systems that companies are actually using and gain experience that's not something we're getting at UHCL."

Under the guidance of her manager, Lori Boydston, Fatima has explored career paths in procurement, contract management and aerospace operations while learning about professional certifications that can help advance her career.

"When I first heard about this facility, I didn't even know it existed," Fatima said. "Working here helped me realize there are other aerospace companies you can work for like KBR, Boeing and Raytheon. Now I can actually look into them and think, 'Hey, I can work here.'"

While her internship prepared her professionally, getting involved on campus transformed her college experience.

After spending much of her first year taking online classes, Fatima joined the Campus Activities Board (CAB) to meet other students and become more involved on campus. She now serves as vice president after previously serving as Hawks Spirit and Traditions coordinator.

"My only goal at that time was, 'I need to get out and interact with people,'" she said.

Through CAB, Fatima attended the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) Leadership Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, where she developed leadership and communication skills she continues to use in the classroom, during her internship and in everyday life. She credits Calvin Nguyen and Dr. Jordan Jones in Student Engagement for encouraging her growth as a student leader and introducing her to additional opportunities, including the Hawk Leadership Institute.

"Working with CAB has forced me to step up and be more open to public speaking, be more open to initiating conversations," Fatima said. "You're going to make connections, you're going to socialize and you have to make people feel comfortable."

Fatima said getting involved on campus also introduced her to people and resources that shaped her UHCL experience.

"If you're not putting yourself out there, you're unaware of these opportunities," she said. "Working on campus allowed me to create connections. I learned about scholarships, internships and resources that I otherwise would not have known about."

She also credits Professor Donna Bright Noll with helping her develop confidence as a communicator and encouraging her to embrace public speaking.

Ultimately, Fatima believes her journey is about more than overcoming obstacles.

"I don't think it's about the hardships I faced, but rather about the choice to never give up," she said. "Life has thrown a lot at me, but I never let it stop me."

After graduation, Fatima hopes to continue building a career in aerospace procurement or contract management before returning to UHCL to pursue her Master of Business Administration.

More than anything, she hopes her son sees what perseverance can accomplish.

"I want to be someone my son looks up to," she said. "I want to show him by example that giving up is never an option, that you have to keep trying and that you will get there eventually."

Looking back, Fatima says every opportunity built on the one before it.

"My story is proof that where there is a will, there is a way, and you have to seize every single opportunity you get," she said.