ANGLEC’s WOMEN IN STEM – 2019 WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATION
This year ANGLEC will be joining in the celebration of International Women’s Day/Month for the first time by featuring the stories of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) related posts/functions at ANGLEC and promoting the official IWD theme for 2019 #BalanceForBetter.
Getting to know Her
Shenique Clare- Mussington,
I am from the island of Jamaica, specifically May Pen, Clarendon. My formative years saw me attending The Una Mighty Basic School followed by Saint Thomas Moore Preparatory School. While in Preparatory School, I was introduced to the sport of Table Tennis along with many other activities which I later pursued nationally and internationally. After passing the Grade Six Achievement Test, I went to Glenmuir High School where I received national awards for Law, Technical Drawing, Geometric and Mechanical Engineering Drawing (twice).
After High School, I went onto The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus to pursue a double major bachelor’s degree in Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health (OESH). With a drive to contribute to the safety paradigm shift, I was awarded the designations of Associate Safety Professional and Graduate IOSH with focus on Safety, Risk Reliability Engineering.
Fast forwarding to October 2016, I was given the charge to be the Health and Safety Officer for the Anguilla Electricity Company (ANGLEC) Ltd. At this juncture, my focus is managing the health and safety related risks at ANGLEC.
1. What is your favourite song?
It’s a tie between Trust in You by Anthony Brown & Group Therapy
and
Psalm 34 by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
2. What is your favourite hobby?
Travelling and Playing Table Tennis (Which I really miss playing)
3. Who was your role model growing up and why?
Table tennis player Ai Fukuhara.
4. What was your favourite subject in school?
Geometrical and Mechanical Engineering Drawing
5. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be?
Fish (any kind)
6. What is your favorite part about your job?
Research and Policy Making
7.What would you say is the hardest part of your job?
Sometimes, the implementation of changes to an established practice within an organization can be difficult.
Balance for Better with Shenique
The official theme for International Women’s Day 2019 is “Balance for Better”. Balance for better means fighting for more gender-balance in the world.
- Why do you think gender-balance is important?
Gender balance is important because it creates a balanced and comfortable work environment.
- In your opinion, how could men and women work together to create a more gender balanced world?
It is often said that men are more focused and competitive and create a controlled environment while women are better at seeing things in context with a long-term goal in mind while creating a balance within the working group. Both generalizations can work aptly, but this comes with an understanding from both sides. The work balance can be achieved when both men and women respect each other’s functions and mutually focus on the task at hand using the talents that they naturally have.
- How do you find ways to thrive in a male dominated field?
I have been working in male dominated fields throughout my entire career. I find that learning as much as you can about the environment and being relatable fosters good working relationships.
- How do you achieve work/life balance as a working woman?
The best way to achieve work/life balance is always keep in mind the importance of your spiritual keeping.
Inspiring The next Generation
- Would you encourage other women and girls in Anguilla to pursue STEM related jobs, if so why?
Being involved in the STEM field has numerous benefits. One that pops immediately to mind is the fact that you can learn new things every day since the areas are ever changing and every growing.
- What would you say to young women who may be interested in the STEM fields?
Go for it. Be determined and never quit.
- What would have encouraged you along your journey as a young woman interested in STEM?
Safety is a determining and important factor in all industries. Applying the models and methods developed over the years by women in the safety engineering field gives light to the various strategies that can be implemented to reduce negative safety occurrences. The availability of these methods and models allows for the continuous growth throughout all industries.
- What would you encourage, educators, parents and guardians to do to ensure the advancement of young women in STEM related studies?
Having a natural inclination to math can be helpful but skill and intelligence goes a long way. I would encourage educations, parents and guardians to assist our young women to improve themselves by getting them to get involved in projects early and enthusiastically supporting them in their pursuits just as they would with any other field.
Stay tuned for more features and for more information on IWD click here. Want information and ideas about supporting young ladies interested in Safety/science? Visit http://www.childfun.com/themes/misc/safety/
