IET May 2015 Newsletter

“These are your safety boots and safety helmet. Keep them with you for future site visits.”

These are the statements I received from the manager when I first reported to the company. First construction site visit was to Saujana Golf and Country Club. I was in joy and full of anticipation, awkwardly putting on the safety boots and the yellow safety helmet for the very first time, I finally realised, these heavy safety boots and yellow safety helmet didn’t make you as an engineer. You, yourself make you as an engineer.

A lot of people who just knew me will ask the typical question, why would I want to be an engineer? And when I refer them back to another question, Why not engineer? Most of the time I will receive such reply, “It is rare. For females, I mean”. 

Throwback to years ago when I first decided to pick up engineering as my career, my family was somehow accepted it as a shocking news. They were very afraid if I had too little experience and information regarding engineering that I misled myself into the wrong path. The strongest reason they denied my wish in engineering was the field had always known as male-domain. I couldn’t deny that I was fearful for the choice I made and yes, I am still afraid every now and then but fear is definitely not an excuse for anyone to achieve goals. On rational thought, how ironic is it for a person to let go of dreams just because of gender factor. After all, we are all humans. It is not the gender that decides on your capabilities, it is the desire to achieve, your attitude of life that decides the aptitude. 

Let me take this opportunity to state what is really on my mind regarding women in engineering. Junior or senior, female or male, I have to state the fact that we are all the same because at the end of the day, we are all engineers, seeking the integrated solutions to improve people’s life. To enhance engineering solutions in bringing more benefits to the societies. Let me emphasize, it is the mutual respect that counts. Either in discussions, meetings or project managements, it is the sense of valuing each other presences and opinions that makes a difference.

Engineering field is a state -of –the-art ground that will continue to evolve from time to time. Sincerely from me, I hope the world will stop stereotyping that engineering is not a field for females because this will only bring an effect of drawing away capable and outstanding women from being part of us, in this rewarding and interesting career. 

When was the last time you tell a female engineer that you appreciate her presence, her commitment? Regardless of which engineering industry we are in, engineers work together as similar to the Principle of Conservation of Energy. Only when we conserve our energies, working together as one will drive us further in life and marking more histories in engineering field. As quoted from National Aeronautics and Space Administration, conservation of energy is a fundamental concept of physics along with the conservation of mass and the conservation of momentum. Similarly to us, let us move along together with this momentum and ignite more sparks in the line to put our utmost priorities in professionalism. 

Women, we are all beautiful creatures and unique in our own ways. Who says we need to make ourselves acting like men to survive in a men’s world. We are gifted with such pride and dignity as ladies to inject gentle touches into this field. Appreciate ourselves because we are simply amazing just the way we are. 

Let me take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude towards everyone whom I have met and will be meeting in future. Thank you for shaping who I am today and guiding me through in this field, always sparing me with strength to drive further in engineering.

I am so blessed with all the supportive friends who always shower me with words of encouragement. To the experienced engineers, also my mentors whom I knew at places specifically in IET and my workplace, thank you for sharing your experience, guidance and having faith in me despite my junior background. 

Most of all, I am so blessed with my beloved family. They are always so understanding about my commitment in life towards engineering, knowing I always want to explore deeper into this field. To my beloved mother, thank you for standing beside me all the time when everyone is doubting me about my passion in engineering. Without you supporting me, there wouldn’t be who I am today. 

 IET has been one of the most rewarding exposures and platforms in engineering and networking.

Chemical plant site visit with my manager (R), Mr Wong and my supervisor (L), Mr Tan from Critical System Specialist Sdn Bhd.

Alice Leong Mei Ping is currently completing her studies in B. Eng (Mechanical) from Multimedia University, Malacca Campus. At this moment, she is undergoing her internship training programme in Critical System Specialist Sdn Bhd to assist the engineers. She started to commit herself in IET after representing Malaysia in Present around the World (PATW) 2013. She is now volunteering in the Young Professionals Section (YPS) of Malaysia Local Network as the youngest member. Email: alicemeiping@theiet.org

Thank you so much to Institution of Engineering & Technology IET Malaysia Local Network for giving me the honor to pen down an article in the IET May 2015 newsletter. My utmost sincere gratitude to the Chief Editor, Dr Kok Swee Leong for inviting and trusting me. Known Dr Kok for 2 years by now since PATW 2013. Time flies :) Like I always say, I am so blessed to be in IET YPS :) Thank you very much and I shall continue my humble journey in engineering field, hoping to do more :) Selamat Maju Jaya.