You could be a 'precious problem solver' if you become an engineer. That was the main theme conveyed by speakers at the Women in Engineering afternoon hosted by the Faculty of Engineering, Stellenbosch University, in August.

Approximately 250 Grade 10 to 12 girls from the Cape Peninsula, Boland and West Coast attended this annual event aimed at promoting Engineering as an excellent career choice for women.

Taskeen Ebrahim, a first-year Matie Engineering student, told the audience that she chose Engineering as a field of study, because "it increases your intellectual abilities, your practical knowledge and expands your skills accordingly. You become a problem solver. The main reason why I chose this career, is that it equips me to make a difference. Engineers can change the world. Every innovation that you are part of as an engineer, can make life easier for another person, another animal, or even the environment itself."

This idea was also stressed by Dr Margreth Tadi, a lecturer in the Department of Process Engineering. "Gold changes world economies; Engineers change people's lives for the better. You are living gold and should persevere to make an impact in society and the world around you."

To study Engineering requires hard work, perseverance and dedication. However, this does not mean you cannot have a social life during your study career, according to Maretha Bester, a final-year Engineering student. She also stressed the importance of maintaining a good balance between work and play: "As long as you are not too fond of sleep, don't believe that Engineering means you can't make crazy memories at Stellenbosch!"

Main photo:

Dr Margreth Tadi, Taskeen Ebrahim and Maretha Bester.