Name: Sue Wairimu
Position: Project Engineer
Company: University of Nairobi, Maker Space
What do you enjoy the most, working in the field of Construction & Development?
Turning Ideas to awesome projects that have an impact to people. The reason why I choose construction in the first place was because of the magic in the process. Having an imagination of how the building will look like, drawing it as sketches then seeing it rise from the ground up. This brought so much satisfaction.
I enjoy building something that has impact to people. I also enjoy how I have to work with a diverse team of experienced professionals. There is so much learning from them and this is quite interesting for me.
Where do you see life in the next 5 years, what possibilities are ahead of you?
Currently, I have directed my career from the conventional construction and development to innovation with a focus in medical devices. I believe there are untapped opportunities for me to make more impact in these areas, especially in the African context. Access to adequate functional medical devices is a problem in Sub Saharan Africa. I want to change this narrative. So in the next years, I will be working tirelessly to make sure this happens.
If you could write a letter to a 13-year-old ‘you’ what would you say?
Hey Sue, you are an amazing person. You are going to get over your shyness in due time, so stop hating that because it will help you later in life. Relax darling, you are doing okay in life, you don’t need to be friends with cool people to be cool. Your silent intense confidence will take you places, so stop cowering!
Learn to speak up and have opinions of your own, share them and when you do, do so confidently. Not everyone will agree / like you and that is fine.
What are 3 skills you have had to develop to get to where you are presently?
Continuous and Consistent Learning ~ Personal Development ~ Communication
