21-year-old Maryam Abdulla Alraeesi is the first female engineer to start an internship at MAN ES’s branch in Dubai. She is also the first female Emirati engineer in our MEA region.
MAN People: You are the first female Emirati engineer in our branch in Dubai. With what expectations are you approaching your new assignment?
Maryam Abdulla Alraeesi: I am really looking forward to working in an engine room. Although my favorite course at university was technical graphic design, I cannot imagine sitting at a computer all day. I can hardly wait to work on a real engine. This is my first job and I am not sure what to expect, but for me it is very important to work with people with whom I feel comfortable. I will be spending a lot of time with them, so it is important that I feel valued. So far, my expectations have been exceeded. Everyone here is very friendly and open.
A few years ago, the first Arab woman studied aerospace engineering. She inspired me.
I wanted to be the first woman in some field or other.
The support of family can play a crucial role in a person’s career path. How supportive was your family of your decision to pursue a career in engineering?
I first had to convince my father that I could learn to drive. He was mainly worried about other drivers, as traffic in Dubai is pretty chaotic and so can be very dangerous. But I was able to change his mind. Fortunately, I have not had an accident so far and really enjoy driving by myself. Then I had to convince him that I wanted to be an engineer. He would have preferred me to study international relations like my older sisters. But now he is right behind me and my plans. My girlfriends are very supportive too. In my group of friends, we are all engineers – civil, mechanical, etc. – and each of us is the only woman in her discipline. It is the same with me: I am studying mechanical engineering at the American University of Dubai and am the only female student on my course. When I graduate, I would like to go to Europe to do my master’s degree – in Munich perhaps, a city we have often visited.
Your sisters work in a bank and, general speaking, it is not customary for Arab women to embark on a career in engineering. What sparked your interest?
A few years ago, the first Arab woman studied aerospace engineering. She inspired me. I desperately wanted to do something different, to stand out from everyone else. I wanted to be the first woman in some field or other. And then there is my love of engines, whether they are in ships or planes. Initially, I wanted to be a pilot, but those plans fell victim to the Covid pandemic. Now I can do both: work with engines and be the first woman – in this case as an intern with MAN Energy Solutions in Dubai.
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