How Sairan Aqrawi integrated her Engineering Skills into a Speaking Career Breakthrough

SpeakerHUB
4 min readOct 8, 2024

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Ever wonder how a systems engineer can evolve into a sought-after speaker? Meet Sairan Aqrawi, M.Sc., whose journey from managing technical projects to captivating audiences is nothing short of extraordinary.

Sairan’s story began in Iraq, where she honed her engineering skills before moving to the U.S. to pursue new opportunities. As an engineering innovator in the Transportation field at Washington DC, she thrived, driving success in major projects. But something unexpected was brewing beneath her impressive technical achievements: a deep desire to share her knowledge and inspire others beyond the confines of engineering.

Turning Passion into Purpose

While Sairan’s career was flourishing, she found herself increasingly drawn to public speaking. She realized that her true calling was not just to solve complex technical challenges but to help others navigate their own leadership and communication hurdles. This shift in focus led her to transform her career trajectory, moving from behind the scenes to center stage, where she could amplify her impact.

Today, Sairan is a recognized leadership strategist and a member of the SpeakerHUB community. Her journey is a powerful example of what it takes to break through and leave a lasting impact.

Her journey from engineering to speaking didn’t involve leaving one field behind — instead, it became a powerful combination of both. By blending her technical expertise with her ability to connect emotionally with audiences, she strategically merged her IQ and EQ to excel in speaking. Her problem-solving skills as an engineer, paired with her emotional intelligence in building relationships and engaging listeners, fueled her success. With passion, perseverance, and the innovative use of the SpeakerFLYWHEEL process, she crafted a unique path that bridges both engineering and speaking seamlessly.

The SpeakerFLYWHEEL: Sairan’s Breakthrough Strategy

For many aspiring speakers, gaining traction can be a daunting task. One of the keys to Sairan’s success has been her adoption of the SpeakerFLYWHEEL process — a method we encourage in SpeakerHUB for all our speakers to follow. The SpeakerFLYWHEEL is a strategic approach that starts with pitching to podcasts, gaining exposure on smaller stages, and then using that momentum to land bigger opportunities. The process repeats as speakers continue to grow and refine their message, keeping their inbound and outbound marketing active consistently.

Sairan’s dedication to the SpeakerFLYWHEEL strategy paid off rapidly. In just one month, she landed 20 podcast interviews, each appearance further solidifying her reputation and visibility. Her disciplined approach eventually led her to larger speaking opportunities, including the PROspeaker Summit Event: PROactive on Oct. 15th-17th, 2024.

Other incredible Speakers also take part in the Summit, including Les Brown, Kim Coles, Ross Bernstein, Brian J. Olds, Keith Abraham, and many more!

Building Bridges Between Engineering and Empowerment

Sairan’s impact reaches far beyond public speaking. As a mentor at The George Washington University’s Center for Women in Engineering and a Leadership Coach with Stand Beside Them, Inc., she helps veterans transition into civilian careers. With her Associate Certified Coach (ACC) certification from the International Coaching Federation, Sairan is a blend of technical expertise, leadership, and exceptional communication skills.

Check out this video summary to see how she empowers her coachees: Watch here.

Her engineering background gives her a unique ability to navigate both technical and interpersonal challenges, making her a highly sought-after leader in tech and beyond.

How SpeakerHUB PRO Fuels Success Stories

At SpeakerHUB, we are committed to helping speakers like Sairan turn their ambitions into reality. Our SpeakerHUB platform offers powerful tools, including CRM and AI integration, along with community support to help speakers refine their message, target the right opportunities, and grow their business systematically.

Sairan’s success is a testament to the power of the SpeakerFLYWHEEL process. It’s not just about speaking; it’s about treating your career like a business, consistently pitching, and using every opportunity to enhance your brand.

Key Takeaways from Sairan Aqrawi’s Journey

  1. Approach Speaking as a Business: Sairan’s disciplined approach to pitching and strategy demonstrates that treating your speaking career like a professional endeavor is crucial for success.
  2. Utilize the SpeakerFLYWHEEL Process: Start small by pitching to podcasts. As you build credibility, larger stages will follow. It’s about creating and sustaining momentum.
  3. Leverage Your Unique Background: Sairan used her technical background and multilingual skills to connect with diverse audiences. Your unique experiences can help you stand out in the crowded speaking landscape.

Ready to Transform Your Speaking Career?

At SpeakerHUB, we provide the tools and training to help you achieve your speaking goals. Whether you’re looking to make your first pitch or step onto the biggest stages, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Join us at SpeakerHUB and turn your speaking aspirations into a thriving business. See our plans and pricing to get started!

Lead your way into big stages, and leave your mark on the world — just like Sairan Aqrawi.

This was originally posted on SpeakerHUB Skillcamp.

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