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Hajara Kabeer Abdulfatah
Petroleum and Gas Engineer
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You are the only limit to what you can achieve.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
I am a STEM Ambasador for Coder in Africa (coderina) and I advocate for girls/women in STEM, Gender Equality, diversity & inclusion and girl child digital inclusion. I am an Energy Enthusiast and a serial volunteer.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS FIELD?
I chose to be an engineer because I thought it would be a lot of fun! I wanted to make a difference in the world and I learnt that Engineering is the field that solves the most impactful of our problems in the world. Engineers are constantly changing the world with inventions and solutions that affect everyone's lives by making it better.
Since high school, I’ve always wanted to be an Engineer, a Petroleum engineer. Its a long time passion. The more I was told, Engineering is not for girls, its male dominated and difficult. The more interested I got, was so curious to know why it wasn't meant for girls. Hence, the enthusiasm in STEM.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK AT & THINK, "I WISH YOUNGER ME WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS WAS POSSIBLE?"
Studying a STEM course and excelling at it.
WHY DO YOU LOVE WORKING IN STEM?
To some, STEM is just science, technology, engineering and maths but to me, anything outside of STEM is just a hobby.
The most exciting thing about studying STEM is the exposure, experience and networking. It makes you appreciate the world around you.
BEST ADVICE FOR NEXT GENERATION?
As young girls, there are gaps we need to fill while challenging gender and class inequality simply by succeeding as female Scientists, Technologists, Engineers, Mathematicians, Doctors or whatever we want to be.
But most importantly my advice is “Dont wait to be seen; present yourself; dare to be different!” You are the only limit to what you can achieve. So, figure out were you can shine and always show up.
INSPO / FUN FACT
“You are the only limit to what you can achieve. So, figure out were you can shine and always show up”.