“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” - Howard Thurman
On this International Day of the Girl and Women in Science, it seems befitting to continue to highlight the work that lies ahead in ensuring African women are properly represented and contributing to scientific breakthroughs on the continent. This article first appeared on my LinkedIn profile.
I'm not sure I can fairly lump together each of my peers' experiences, but I think it's safe to say, there is a general consensus that there was hardly any career guidance if you went to school in Kenya between 1990 and 2010.
The idea of guidance was you had 5 options of what to do in University if you got really good grades: Medicine, Law, Engineering, Architecture or Business. Otherwise, you do whatever else you're called to do if you don't make the grade for these options. Basically, our paths were determined by the University Placement Board, never mind what you selected on your course choices. If you ask me, that's a particularly narrow-minded view of what skills people actually need not just to earn a living but also to survive and thrive in the world.
I'm not sure I can fairly lump together each of my peers' experiences, but I think it's safe to say, there is a general consensus that there was hardly any career guidance if you went to school in Kenya between 1990 and 2010.
The idea of guidance was you had 5 options of what to do in University if you got really good grades: Medicine, Law, Engineering, Architecture or Business. Otherwise, you do whatever else you're called to do if you don't make the grade for these options. Basically, our paths were determined by the University Placement Board, never mind what you selected on your course choices. If you ask me, that's a particularly narrow-minded view of what skills people actually need not just to earn a living but also to survive and thrive in the world.
Our education system (in Kenya at least) places A LOT of emphasis on grades and in my opinion not enough on talents, vocation, sports etc... However, there's also another problem, one that I noted first-hand by going to a National Girls High School. Some options were only available in boy schools: Aviation, Electricity, Woodwork, Metal Work and Technical Drawing just to name a few. Those were options in some Boy Schools but in girl schools we got Home Science, Agriculture, Art, Music and if you're fortunate and the school could afford it, Computers.
This, inevitably, leads to a mental bias against these subjects by young girls because they have been "pre-determined" to be better suited for a particular gender. Worse still, it puts you at a disadvantage if you do, nonetheless, decide to pursue a course like Engineering and your first exposure to drawing and/or computers is in your 1st year of University.
This, inevitably, leads to a mental bias against these subjects by young girls because they have been "pre-determined" to be better suited for a particular gender. Worse still, it puts you at a disadvantage if you do, nonetheless, decide to pursue a course like Engineering and your first exposure to drawing and/or computers is in your 1st year of University.
With this 2nd issue of Queengineers, I am NOT tackling any of the things I've mentioned above actually, but I definitely intend to spark the conversation around, why do we do what we do and if we could change it, would we take the option of doing something else, that makes us happier, more fulfilled or even wealthier? This issue is basically stories of courage from all these incredible young women who went to school in the time that I have just described above, but still, somehow, designed (eventually) a life and career that they are proud of.
I hope it serves to encourage more young African girls to be brave as they make choices not only in their careers but also concerning their values, their bodies and ultimately their legacy.
In the words of the late, great Nelson Mandela, "May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears".
Follow the link below to read the complete issue and please share widely! Enjoy the read!
Queengineers-Issue-2
*This article was written by Martha Wakoli. Hopefully, in 2018, the writing will be consistent.
Welcome back to Shaping African Conversations.
I hope it serves to encourage more young African girls to be brave as they make choices not only in their careers but also concerning their values, their bodies and ultimately their legacy.
In the words of the late, great Nelson Mandela, "May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears".
Follow the link below to read the complete issue and please share widely! Enjoy the read!
Queengineers-Issue-2
*This article was written by Martha Wakoli. Hopefully, in 2018, the writing will be consistent.
Welcome back to Shaping African Conversations.