Passionately bringing electricity to you

Profile: Kutlwano keongadile

Age: 26

Occupation: Electrical Engineering Technologist

From Bobonong.

Education:Bachelor of Technology degree from the Central University of Technology, Free State.

Why did you choose engineering?

I have always been intrigued by opportunities that allow me to be a problem solver, and to know how things came about. My love for physic and maths in high school made me realise that engineering is my passion because these subjects specialise in problem solving. My physics teacher made it easier to understand and that also made me to want to follow a career path that goes along with it, therefore electrical engineering was my best suit.

What type of engineer are you and what do you do on a daily basis?

Electrical engineering, Heavy current. It deals with the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity from the power plant to the consumer. It has three departments which are generation, transmission and distribution. After generating electricity it is transmitted through the transmission department to various places where in the substation it will be reduced or stepped down to a voltage that is suitable for consumer use via the distribution department. We also manage electrical network to ensure undisrupted electrical flow to the consumers and their safety.

What do you wish you knew before choosing engineering?

I wish I knew the demand and hard work expected from me, the focal point of my course, which areas to specialise on and learn more rather than doing everything because some of the things I spent time on are not really relevant in the industry.

What does being a female engineer mean to you?

It means that when you are passionate about something, you can go for it and achieve it regardless of your gender, as engineering is perceived as a male dominated career path.

Have you had any experiences of gender bias in the working environment and how did you address them?

Its a day to day thing, but all I have to do is work twice as much to prove myself as a competent employee because men think that ladies are incompetent and weaker in the industry.

What you thought of engineering before you became an engineer vs. what you think of engineering now

I thought it was all about being in the workshop inventing new designs, executing them but I have realised that in the midst of all working workshops the most important thing is the service rendered to our customers

What message do you have for young girls who would like to be engineers?

At this point, engineering is a male dominated career path, chances of men to acknowledge you as an engineer are less but regardless of that they should follow their passion in engineering , and prove themselves in the industry by so doing we will be creating a better opportunity for the coming generation. Woman will be recognised also as competent engineers.

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