Sana Aljandali, one of the first students to earn a bachelor’s degree in systems engineering from the University of Houston, can’t think of a more perfect place to be a systems engineer than Houston.
UH’s reputation for its strong engineering programs initially motivated her to enroll, but the larger city’s potential to enhance and expand her career opportunities certainly hasn’t hurt as she has grown academically and professionally.
“After doing quite a lot of research, I knew that systems engineering was the perfect major for me,” she said. “It’s very versatile, and it’s a degree that applies to everything, especially being in Houston. We have the largest medical center in the world, we’re the energy capital, and there’s a very strong presence in aerospace as well as oil and gas; I’ve seen how essential systems engineering thinking is across all of these very different industries.”
Aljandali herself is particularly proud of being among the first students to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in systems engineering from the Cullen College of Engineering. She has made the Dean’s List multiple times and will be graduating with honors.
“It feels very rewarding that all of my hard work has paid off,” she said. “I’ve really enjoyed all of my classes and getting to see how these concepts apply to real-world situations and scenarios. All of these experiences have showed me the value of engineering and allowed me to apply everything I’ve learned here out in industry and the real world.”
Out in the “real world,” Aljandali works as a systems engineering intern at MD Anderson – a position she’s held since the summer of 2023.
“In general, my work mainly focuses on process improvement and efficiency, and I’ve been able to contribute to the division’s ability to streamline workflows and drive improvements in educational, clinical, and administrative processes,” said Aljandali. “I believe my internship has been a defining experience because it has given me the confidence to know that I belong in this field.”
“I really look forward to applying what I’ve learned in my classes to an industry where efficiency and innovation are important,” she continued. “Not just the technical skills, but the analytical and problem-solving skills. I’m excited to see what my life looks like after graduation, and I look forward to growing both professionally and personally as I take on new challenges.”
Aljandali is certainly no stranger to challenge.
Like many students, she at times found it difficult to manage the balance of academics, work, and daily life. Commuting 45 to 90 minutes to and from classes, Aljandali found her days consisting of not much more than going to class, going to work and studying until she began to prioritize the balance between work and free time.
“My schedule has become incredibly demanding,” she said. “I’ve really had to learn to manage my time and allow myself to take breaks to rest and recharge, because burnout is very real, especially in a rigorous program like engineering.”
There have also been bigger challenges.
Due to concerns for their safety against the backdrop of the Syrian Revolution in the early 2010s, Aljandali’s family left for the United States when she was only nine years old. She spoke no English when they arrived and would visit the library every week, borrowing books to read “as much as [she] could” and writing down unfamiliar words to look up later. She was determined to make the most of the opportunity and worked hard to thrive and succeed while adjusting to a completely new culture, language and environment.
“After the revolution started, it was not safe for us to be there, so my parents made the difficult decision to leave everything behind and come to the United States,” said Aljandali.
“Syria is a beautiful country with a rich history, and often when people think of Syria, they think of destruction and war. But there is so much more to it than what you see in the news. Syrians are wonderful, incredible, strong people – they are resilient and kind.
“My parents sacrificed everything for us to be here and to give me this opportunity for a better life. I owe everything to them and their sacrifices – their unconditional support. I want to thank them for everything; I appreciate it more than they’ll ever know. I think I’ve made myself proud, but I hope I’ve also made them proud.”