I started pursuing chemical engineering at 23. What inspired me is the range of technical skills and knowledge this degree has to offer, the many doors that it could open, and the kind of thinking it could instill in someone, it is quite a versatile degree. Hence why we are often called the universal engineers.
Unfortunately, No! Being from a township, you find that you often must do your own research. It’s hard to get someone who can guide you and show you the pros and cons of different degrees that one could take. So, we end up working on trial and error.
Fees!!! After starting the chemical engineering journey, I had struggles getting a sponsor and had to be out for 2 years. Until one bursary finally pulled through; it was inconsistent but good enough to float me through the degree. Another challenge was mainly academics, having not done maths and science for a few years and having to adapt again needed me to add extra hours, hours which were hard to find sometimes. Therefore, had to draw some hours from my sleep and time out with friends.
The people around me, from family to friends who have been with me from day 1. They’ve been with me through the valley and believed in me when I had lost all the faith. Every time I’m reminded of their sacrifice, I get the urge to go on. This is also why the people you surround yourself with matter the most.
Giving up is not an option! As the famous Martin Luther King Jr. quote says, “If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” Some journeys will be straightforward and be finished at the expected time, and some won’t as they will take longer and will require one to endure. Even if it means taking 0.01 steps a day, ultimately, it will lead somewhere. My journey was filled with little steps a day, eventually leading to something bigger.
Look at your strongest points and consult with people in different professions and the web/internet. When you are from the rural/townships it’s too easy for parents and/or teachers to make us believe engineering/medicine/Law are the only options for us out there, when in essence you do not enjoy the subject required for these and thus you may not even enjoy the career itself. But if you can do that 'Strength and Weakness Analysis' and let it guide you in choosing your career that can set you up for success. As another famous quote says, "do what you love, and you never have to work a day in your life". Search for a mentor in the industry of interest.