Choosing what to optimise
Sezi Çevik Onar studies industrial engineering: finding ways to make systems work better for a particular goal. That goal might involve cost, sustainability or people's needs. Her example is a journey home: the best route changes if you are hungry or trying to avoid extreme heat. Before choosing a solution, you need to decide what matters.
Teaching and changing direction
Her university work combines research, teaching and meetings with doctoral students. She describes moving towards a more nurturing, collaborative classroom after being more focused on results. Her research interests have also evolved, from intelligent management techniques towards responsible industrial change, while she has remained in academia.
Collaboration can include competition
Onar says she did not doubt that she belonged in STEM, where academic relatives made the work familiar. Competitive examinations still demanded sustained effort. She values resilience and adapting when an approach fails. Onar does not see collaboration and competition as opposites: people can collaborate in order to compete. Her encouragement leaves room for both working together and pursuing demanding goals.