Up and Coming is our new column dedicated to highlighting the successes of young women in the power systems industry, be it students or young professionals.
My name is Aida Jahangir. I am 33 years old and I am from Iran.
I am a master’s degree holder in Electrical Engineering with five years of working experience. In line with the reason for pursuing my education in the Master of Renewable Energy Systems Engineering at Surrey University in the United Kingdom, I am earnestly writing to elucidate the background that ushered me to this ardor. During high school, I got my creative juices flowing through practical assignments in physics courses, which impressed my classmates and teachers. Notably, my uncle, who was a professional electrician, had a fundamental role in exposing me to this field. I spent most of my spare time in his company, working on defective boards, soldering, and assembly parts, and I also became acquainted with various functions and elements of boards. Undoubtedly, as a young mind immersed in the electrical engineering domain, this field was the best and most promising alternative to studying academically.
I enrolled in a university to earn an Electronic-Electrical associate degree (Disconitinuous Bachelor Degree). Subsequently, upon completing this level, I passed the university entrance exam with an outstanding ranking of nine, which made me qualified to get into the Islamic Azad University, South Tehran Branch, a university with esteemed scholars in the electrical engineering department, to study for a bachelor’s degree. Despite getting high scores in laboratory courses, my poor performance in specialized classes led to my low GPA at two levels. However, it taught me that I should wholeheartedly accept every challenge thrown at me for prosperity in an academic discipline, although the subjects are not primarily interesting to me.
One of the most challenging periods in my life was the pursuit of my first job. It encompassed numerous obstacles, primarily stemming from my lack of prior work experience. However, the daunting task of securing employment in the field of engineering was further amplified due to the prevailing societal norms in my country, Iran. These norms propagate the belief that technical roles are predominantly suited for men, making it even more arduous for women to find suitable opportunities.
However, the daunting task of securing employment in the field of engineering was further amplified due to the prevailing societal norms in my country, Iran. These norms propagate the belief that technical roles are predominantly suited for men, making it even more arduous for women to find suitable opportunities.
Finally, after putting in tremendous effort, I managed to secure a job. During the interview, I distinctly recall expressing my eagerness to the employer, emphasizing, “Please grant me this opportunity, and I will demonstrate my ability to excel in this field, just like any other accomplished professional men.” I entered the job market and embarked on working as a technician at a company and I repaired the electrical boards of tablets and DVDs. On my final day at the company, as I bid farewell, my boss expressed a heartfelt sentiment of sadness at losing me. Reflecting on my journey, my boss reminisced, “I will never forget the day you joined us. Initially, I had my doubts about your performance, but you swiftly proved me wrong. You consistently showcased your unwavering dedication and became one of my most diligent employees.” Hearing those words, I felt a sense of pride in overcoming initial scepticism and earning the respect and recognition of my boss through hard work and commitment. After that, I occupied the position of technical expert and training expert in another company. Moreover, to broaden my horizons and equip myself with the required proficiencies, I passed the industrial electricity, building electricity, Health, Safety and Environment Management System (HSE-MS), and Altium designer software for designing PCB board training courses at prestigious institutes, besides learning Auto Cad software. Through these experiences, I obtained valuable critical skills and professional abilities. Yet, after working for three years, as I looked at the ambitious goal of establishing my knowledge-based company, I decided to delve into more profound concepts of my field and reach specialized expertise.
I felt a sense of pride in overcoming initial scepticism and earning the respect and recognition of my boss through hard work and commitment.
Hence, I got into the University, to study for the Master of Electrical Engineering, majoring in Planning and Management of Electrical Energy Systems, as it paved the way to fulfil my long-term aim of founding my own company through concentrating on the electricity market. During my graduate study, I changed from an inexperienced, unworldly high school student into a seasoned candidate with a pack of experience. Therefore, I strived to pass all courses triumphantly, and as a diligent and persevering student, I scored 20 out of 20 in most specialized courses. I was among the 20 top students in the electrical engineering department. It’s worth noting that thanks to my high interpersonal skills, I could constructively communicate with others as a team member, which gave rise to distinguish me as an industrious student by my instructors.
It should be noted that during this prolific level, I passed some courses related to new energies, such as designing solar systems, which highly fascinated me. After some inquiry, I noticed the significance of this area of study in today’s everchanging world, which became a turning point for putting my foot in this sphere. I became so enthralled with renewable energies that I completely disregarded the aspiration of setting up my company and turned over a new leaf in my educational journey.
Then, after graduation, I warmly welcomed the employment offer by the Smart Home Company as a technical expert, where we prevented the waste of energy by writing varied scenarios through which I turned into a specialist in this scope. One of my significant responsibilities was training electrical installers to work with smart parts and installing and programming smart keys at the site of construction projects. During my time as an electric installation instructor, it was uncommon for women to take on that role. Unfortunately, some installers initially showed reluctance to learn from me, and at times even resorted to laughter, not taking the classes seriously. However, as time passed, they recognized that I had valuable skills to share, and their willingness to befriend me showcased a shift in their perception and a newfound respect for my abilities.
In my last job experience, I had the opportunity to become familiar with elevator switchboards, which prepared me to handle various projects in person. I was entrusted with the responsibility of identifying and rectifying errors that caused elevator malfunctions. Through this role, I gained a deep understanding of the intricate workings of elevator systems and developed the expertise to ensure smooth operations, providing a valuable service to both clients and building occupants.
Since my country’s fossil fuels are cheap and easily accessible, authorities do not allocate sufficient budget for enhancing academic education and carrying out cutting-edge investigations when it comes to renewable energy. So, I scanned abroad programs and found Surrey University, the best destination for continuing my education obtain a master’s degree in renewable energy. Due to the weather conditions in England, wind energy has provided a proper ground for implementing renewable energy, so English engineers and the government have set it as one of the top priorities and pay considerable attention to its academic aspect. By attending this university, I am aiming to acquire specialized wisdom and erudition in renewable energy and utilize it to promote using these inexhaustible energies that reduce greenhouse gases, diseases, and air pollution. Bringing this statement to a conclusion, I am eagerly enthusiastic to become a valuable asset to society and demonstrate that women can excel as successful engineers.
After residing in the UK for the past six months, I have encountered numerous challenges such as navigating diverse cultures, language barriers, and financial constraints. Additionally, adapting to the university’s distinct educational approach proved to be more demanding than anticipated. Nevertheless, I recently received the results for my first semester, achieving a distinction. This experience has taught me that there are no insurmountable barriers on my path to progress and achieving my goals. It has also revealed to me the emphasis placed on women’s empowerment in Europe, particularly in comparison to Iran. I have noticed a significant number of webinars and seminars dedicated to women in engineering, demonstrating a proactive effort to support women entering the job market. Witnessing this support has been truly inspiring.
I have to say to women that you are an incredible force of strength, resilience, and limitless potential. In every aspect of life, including the field of engineering, you have the power to excel, innovate, and make a profound impact. Do not let societal norms or preconceived notions hold you back, for your abilities and talents are boundless. Embrace the challenges, seek out opportunities to learn and grow, and never doubt the remarkable contributions you can make. Believe in yourself, support one another, and together, let us break down barriers and redefine what is possible.