Take What Works For You – Suzane Costantine Mumba

I met Sue through a friend of mine with whom we share a passion for women in STEM. Here is our interview about her scientific journey:

Who are we speaking to today?
My name is Suzane Costantine Mumba

What do you do currently?
I am a SEAP (Structural Engineers Apprenticeship Programme) Trainee at the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) Ltd, Ubungo. I mainly work in the Transmission Section. On a normal day, my duties include; installation, supervision and commissioning of electrical equipment and switch-gears. I am part of the Ubungo 220kV extension 300MVA project.

Please share with us your academic journey so far.
I was born in Dar es Salaam region in Tanzania. I am the first born and only girl in a family of three children. I did my primary school at Mount Kibo Schools and completed at Mount Everest Schools. I later joined Canossa Secondary School for my O’level and finalised with Kifungilo Girls Secondary School for my A’Level. My good grades led to my acceptance into St. Joseph University in Tanzania for a bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering.

What have you found inspiring and challenging along this journey?
Inspiration: Growing up in a developing country, I have witnessed how a poor energy system can affect the prosperity of a nation. It has always been my desire to see an adequate flow of electricity and energy in all sectors of my country Tanzania. This has been my inspiration for venturing into a field that allows me contribute to achieving the 7 th Sustainable Development Goal (#SDG 7), which is Affordable and Clean Energy. This goal concentrates on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

Challenges: My biggest challenge has been prospering both in industry and academia as a woman STEM. Coming from a society that believes that women are not called to prosper on the same level with men has been a challenge for me. I look forward to a time when everyone accepts the potential we have as women when it comes to science and technology.

Tell us something about you that’s outside your work life.
I like adventure. Taking all chances with life, especially through traveling, gives me so much joy plus a chance to learn about different cultures. I enjoy swimming in a well treated pool of course, reading, watching movies, a little bit of fashion and mountain climbing.

Have you received any achievements or awards?
I got a chance to participate in a video competition held by ROSATOM, a Russian Nuclear Atomic Company. My team emerged first place winners and got an opportunity to travel to Russia for a week. There we learned more about Nuclear Energy systems and also visited the very first and present nuclear power plants.

Quote.
God can do immeasurably, more than we can ask or imagine. Let us include Him in all from the very beginning to the end- Ephesians 3;20.

Word of encouragement.
All has been said, there is barely something new, rather a few improvements. Take what will work for you and put it into action.

Thank you Sue for taking your time to speak to me.