Jasmina Lazic

Photo of J. Lazic
Current Workplace
The MathWorks Ltd.
Current Role
Education Technical Specialist
My Mathematics Success Story is...

Jasmina is an Education Technical Specialist at MathWorks. She works on MathWorks collaborations with academia in the UK, initiating and supporting partnerships with top universities in the country. She also leads the MathWorks education initiatives in the pre-university space, enhancing students’ learning experiences in STEM education through the use of software. Jasmina says she had an “avid curiosity” for the world around her as a young child, and that this drove her towards mathematics. She completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Belgrade before undertaking a PhD in Mathematics at Brunel University London. Jasmina credits her “passion for technology and using mathematics to improve the world around us” as her driving force to begin a career in engineering. In her roles at MathWorks, Jasmina gets to work with clients who use cutting-edge technology, from cars and robots to solar planes, and she uses mathematics to “improve our lives and society” and she finds this aspect of her career in engineering most compelling. She finds the “seemingly endless” possibilities available in the field of artificial intelligence and the algorithms that govern them fascinating. What would your advice be for 16 year olds just beginning to consider their career options? Follow your passions. Whatever job you end up doing, you will spend a large portion of your time there – it is up to you to make it enjoyable! Look for a mentor. Or mentors. They are all around you – parents, teachers, relatives, your best friend’s parents… Anyone who knows you well and can give you good advice on where your talents and interests fit in. Anyone who’s already made the decisions that are now ahead of you and can provide you with insight and hindsight. It is always good to have someone to run your thoughts by… Find ways to discover what types of jobs are there in industry. Look for internship and volunteering opportunities – anything that gives you a sneak peek into the world of business and industry. Plus, it will look great on your CV! If there is something you truly enjoy doing, don’t let anyone tell you that you are not good at it. Be yourself, you deserve it!

Categories
Women in mathematics
Alternative career paths