By: Elaf Abullah - Assistant Chief Engineer
From
a young age, I’ve always been curious about how things work. I was the kind of
person who would open things up just to understand what was inside. Growing up,
my father was very hands-on with electronics—fixing computers, televisions, and
other electronics—and I think that environment naturally shaped my interest. I
knew for quite some time that I wanted to become an engineer. Initially, I
considered aerospace engineering, but while exploring university options, I came
across mechatronics and robotics. The broader range of applications immediately
appealed to me, and it felt like the right fit.
Today,
I work as an Assistant Chief Engineer, where I’m mainly responsible for
overseeing engineering operations across TTH facilities. A typical day involves
working closely with my team to prioritize tasks, ensuring projects are
progressing as planned, preparing CAD drawings for system modifications, and
developing BOQs for implementation. One ongoing challenge is adapting to new
staff and managing the changes that come when systems are used differently over
time. Despite this, the most rewarding part of my role is the engineering team
itself—seeing how individuals grow, how collaboration improves, and the strong
sense of teamwork and friendships that develop along the way.
Being
a woman in engineering has been an interesting experience. I’ve found that most
people in the field are supportive and encouraging. The job can be demanding,
both mentally and physically, and while it does involve desk-based work, I
enjoy being actively involved on site. I can’t compare my experience to
anything else since I haven’t worked elsewhere, but working in a predominantly
male environment has definitely shaped my perspective and made me more
open-minded. One of the biggest challenges for me has been developing my
managerial style. As my role evolved, I had to find an approach that aligns
with my personality while still being effective in leading a team. Over time,
that has become a key part of my growth.