Aimon Iftikhar

When I was getting my bachelor's, it wasn't hard to notice I was one of  just a few girls in the classroom. Now, things are different. There are more female voices and perspectives in the field of biomedical engineering. That has been a fulfilling and inspiring aspect of being at Exponent.  

Sharing Your Experiences With Others

Recently, we had a meeting with some female principals at Exponent. They shared their stories, gave advice based on their experiences, and their recommendations really brought us together. In the engineering field, it's wonderful to see career-driven females who are also mentors. It inspires me to hear their perspectives and realize that my career path can be whatever I want it to be.

Prior to working at Exponent, I was with a CRO in California, which was a solid introduction to the regulatory space and gave me a better understanding of how clinical research studies function. When I began my search for new local opportunities, I connected with old colleagues who worked at Exponent, but I didn't fully understand the field of technical consulting.

I have a Ph.D. in bioengineering through the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine at The University of Pittsburgh, and in academia, you're immersed in the research world. When you get into industry, you learn how a specific company functions and exposure to a different set of resources. When I spoke with these contacts of mine, and I heard how positive and stimulating their experiences were, I got excited about the career possibilities as a consultant.

Every Day Is Different for Every Consultant on Every Team

Every day I see firsthand how our work has an impact on the quality of life and general wellbeing of people around us. It's incredible to learn the state of technology for healthcare devices and what is currently being used. It is rewarding to be a part of the developments behind-the-scenes and knowing that improvements are on the horizon to better peoples' lives. It's awe-inspiring to know the scope of possibilities of what's out there and to be a part of working on that at Exponent.

I prefer to work on a variety of things. At Exponent, there's no monotony. Every day is a surprise!

My work is in the field of women's health and medical devices. For a recent project in the beginning stages, I helped put systems in place to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. And seeing how the data we're collecting, the metrics we're tracking, and information we're gathering, will benefit the field of women's health. That is fulfilling to me.  

Professional Development Is Important  

In my field, we have a regulatory working group that meets to talk about timely topics and any relevant updates. These opportunities help us support the success of our colleagues and keep us all up to date with the latest information. I also recently gained more certifications in the clinical field, which boosted my knowledge and was fully supported by the firm.

Fill your curiosity. You can do that here.

At Exponent, it's encouraged to connect with different practices as well as to hear what other people are working on, to share your expertise. It's a very open place. The work environment is very collaborative, people are always willing to help. Any consultant who's interested in a specific area can reach out to other consultants, managers, and scientists who are established in that field. Start that conversation. Set up the meeting. Talk to them in person.

Your Input — And Your Time — Are Respected and Valued

When you're in grad school for a big chunk of your life, you're all in it. And coming out of that experience, you realize that having a good work-life balance is important. One of the coolest things is how everyone here respects your time. You're treated like an adult. 

As a consultant at Exponent, you're in charge of your own time. You really are a valued member of the team. You can choose the percentage of the day going to a specific project or deadline. It's respected. We work together to ensure nothing falls through, and that no one's overburdened. There are options to delegate. And we're taught to value that option as well, so you're not pushing yourself beyond your limits. 

People take their vacation time. If you're out of the office, people respect that. No one's expecting you to respond to emails or phone calls then. I have a life outside of work — I have a husband, two cats, fish and plants. And there's always something fun to do in the Bay area. Our collegiality doesn't stop at work, it's fun to go with my foodie co-workers and friends to eat at some the amazing Halal options here, grab delicious Boba, or check out an outdoor festival. Recently, I am enjoying the chance to connect with consultants from other offices across the country in person while working on projects.  

You aren't expected to do everything all the time. Work-life balance is your choice at the end of the day.

Exponent is full of resourceful people. When you're enjoying your well-deserved time off, everyone's capable of figuring out any issues that may pop up. It's really a credit to the awesome, solution-oriented people that work here — I'm so grateful  to have this opportunity.