As this is women in engineering week, we are looking at the stories of women currently working in engineering to explore their route into the profession and why they think engineering is a good career.<\/p>\n
In today\u2019s post, we talk to Blessing Nwachukwu, a Systems Engineer at SL Controls. Blessing is originally from Nigeria and made her way to her current role via an engineering degree in Romania. However, her passion for engineering pre-dates her time at university.<\/p>\n
Blessing said: \u201cFrom the age of six, I can remember I was always fixing things with my dad, passing him the tools he needed and doing what I could to help. He was a very industrious man and did most of the repairs in our house himself.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt secondary school, I enjoyed chemistry and physics, but my favorite subject was maths. I did consider going into medicine, but I decided engineering was what I really wanted to do. So, I took an exam and won a scholarship to attend a university in Romania.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to become an engineer, but it was difficult to get onto the Electro Mechanical degree program as they thought that course wasn\u2019t suitable for women. Another lady and I fought for our places, and we got onto the course.\u201d<\/p>\n
Already breaking down barriers, Blessing decided to take a slight change in direction.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the third year of my degree, I became more aware of the advances that were being made in the field of automation. I quickly realized that automation was going to be an area of engineering that was going to be in demand for years to come, unlike some other fields.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, I started looking into courses, and I got a scholarship in Ireland at the University of Limerick to study Mechatronics. It was quite a change from what I had been doing, and there was a steep learning curve at the start. But I took it upon myself to learn what I needed, giving myself three months to get ready.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blessing\u2019s determination worked, as she obtained her qualification before being offered a job at SL Controls.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom my experience,\u201d Blessing said, \u201cyou will meet barriers even after you\u2019ve made your mind up about what you want to do. I definitely met barriers in Romania. When this happens, you need to stand your ground. It helps if you know for sure this is what you want to do, engineering. If it is, the sky should be your starting point, not your limit.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t need to act like a man, but you shouldn\u2019t hold back from expressing yourself and ensuring what you offer, what you bring to the table, is substantial.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou also need to have passion. You need to have a purpose. Engineering is my passion and purpose, and I am thankful I am an engineer. It is very rewarding.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As this is women in engineering week, we are looking at the stories of women currently working in engineering to explore their route into the profession and why they think engineering is a good career. In today\u2019s post, we talk to Blessing Nwachukwu, a Systems Engineer at SL Controls. Blessing is originally from Nigeria and …<\/p>\n