Top 24 for 2024
What is your greatest achievement in your career?
"My greatest achievement in my career is obtaining my Ph.D. This opportunity stretched me the most, fortifying me with advanced research capabilities, critical thinking, and effective problem-solving skills. It also opened my eyes to numerous career paths in both academia and industry. These skills and insights have propelled me in every other aspect of my career, shaping my determination and self-confidence. Additionally, earning my Ph.D. enabled me to win several national prizes for my contributions to engineering. This experience not only contributed to my professional growth but also reinforced my commitment to using engineering to address real-world challenges."
Who or what inspires you in your work?
“The desire to succeed in whatever I do inspires me. I live by the scripture, 'Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters' (Colossians 3:23). My inquisitive nature and love for applying critical thinking drive me to find solutions to a wide range of challenges, from complex engineering problems to everyday issues. I find joy in developing new and better ways of doing things and in making improvements wherever I go. The opportunity to improve society and myself is a constant source of motivation. While I strive for excellence, I also recognize the importance of balance and acknowledge that achieving perfection may not always be feasible. Embracing continuous learning and growth allows me to adapt and refine my approach over time. Additionally, rewards and achievements fuel my determination, as I enjoy seeing the tangible benefits of my hard work. This continual cycle of effort and reward propels me forward in my endeavours.”
Please provide one piece of advice for future global ethnic-majority engineers.
“Find your passion and pursue it relentlessly. Seek out communities and create networks that support your journey. Understand what microaggressions are—subtle, discriminatory actions or comments that may marginalise individuals based on their race, ethnicity, or other identities—and address them assertively when you encounter them in your workplace or interactions. Be aware of tokenism—the practice of including individuals from underrepresented groups superficially, without addressing systemic inequalities. Learn to leverage these situations to your advantage and find ways to influence real and sustainable changes. Enjoy what you do. It might take you several loops to figure it out, but it's certainly worth it.”