Where Did Tajila Mullahkhel Begin Her Career Journey?
Tajila Mullahkhel was born in Afghanistan and spent her early years in Pakistan. Her family moved to the United States when she was a teenager. It was a major shift—new language, new culture, and a new set of expectations.
“Coming to the U.S. as a teen was tough,” Tajila says. “I had to learn a whole new way of doing things, and fast.”
This period of adjustment gave her a long-term strength: the ability to adapt quickly, observe carefully, and push forward quietly.
Why Did She Choose Chemical Engineering?
After high school, Tajila Mullahkhel attended the University of Utah, where she earned a degree in Chemical Engineering in 2013. Her interest in science came from a desire to understand how things work—not just in theory, but in the real world.
“I always wanted to understand systems—why something failed or why it held up under pressure. Chemical engineering gave me those tools,” she explains.
During her time at the university, she worked as a research assistant in biomimetics, studying how nature’s designs—like the water-repelling surface of a lotus leaf—can be applied to human-made materials.
This work gave her early exposure to interdisciplinary thinking. “We weren’t just working with equations. We were trying to understand the logic of nature itself, and apply it,” she says.
What Was Her Experience Like in the Corporate World?
After graduation, Tajila joined Fresenius Medical Care North America, a global healthcare company. There, she served first as a Central GMQ-NA Engineer and later as an Engineering Project Manager.
At Fresenius, she managed technical projects that directly impacted patient outcomes. Her work involved sustaining engineering—troubleshooting, refining systems, and ensuring compliance under tight quality standards.
“In healthcare, the smallest details matter. If one valve doesn’t seal right, it affects someone’s life,” she says.
She learned to lead cross-functional teams and speak the language of engineers, technicians, and regulatory managers. But her biggest lesson was one of listening.
“I was often the one who just listened more. That helped me spot gaps others didn’t see,” she recalls.
Why Did She Start Her Own Business?
In 2017, Tajila stepped away from the corporate world and launched Azhar Enterprises, her own consulting business. The move wasn’t driven by any single event—it was about timing, values, and personal priorities.
“I wanted flexibility. I wanted to raise my kids and still contribute meaningfully to the work I care about,” she says.
Her business focuses on engineering support and educational projects. She also writes about topics like sustainability, healthy living, and cultural identity on her personal website.
How Does She Stay Grounded and Creative?
Tajila’s day starts with movement—walking or jogging. She keeps a simple journal with three daily goals and bakes with her kids on weekends.
“Even just a walk around the block helps me reset,” she says.
These daily rituals support her focus and creativity. She also values what she calls “quiet philanthropy”—giving back without seeking attention.
“Some things are better done quietly. When you give without being seen, you remember why you’re doing it,” she says.
What Makes Her Career Path Unique?
Tajila’s story stands out not because of flashy job titles or big funding rounds, but because of how she thinks. She’s taken ideas from biology and turned them into engineering insights. She’s balanced corporate deadlines with language teaching. And she’s made career decisions based on long-term values—not short-term rewards.
“Engineering, teaching, writing—these aren’t separate things for me. They’re all ways of building something better,” she says.
Her work in biomimetics, project management, and STEM education shows that big ideas don’t always come from big platforms. Sometimes, they come from slow, steady work behind the scenes.
Key Insights from Tajila Mullahkhel’s Career
- Adaptability is a skill, not a personality trait. Tajila’s journey across countries and cultures shaped her ability to think flexibly and solve problems in creative ways.
- Listening can be a leadership tool. In cross-functional teams, her quiet approach allowed her to catch issues others missed.
- Nature is a blueprint for innovation. Her work in biomimetics shows how engineers can find inspiration in the simplest natural designs.
- Small daily habits matter. Walking, baking, and journaling help her manage stress and stay consistent.
- Success can be quiet. Tajila’s belief in private giving and slow career growth challenges the idea that visibility equals value.
Founder Dinis Guarda
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