Braving tacitly ‘for-men’ designated domains by society, handling domestic chores on top of heavy responsibilities at work places and confronting demanding tasks at new stations some comets from the fair sex have managed to prove their mettle.
Reinforcing their talents and education with practical experiences they discharge lofty tasks undeterred by setbacks.
In today’s Edition we shall introduce you to Mitin Ebissa who displays excellence in the common area the electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and managerial circles overlap. She will relate to us about her move up the ladder in the field less attempted by women. As the saying goes “Nobody forgets a good teacher!” she attributes her success to her female teacher. Her story carries across the message encouragements from teachers at early stage have a far reaching impact. It is better if readers hear the detail from the horse’s mouth.Excerpts
The Ethiopian Herald: Who is Mitin Ebissa? Could you tell us about your upbringing, educational pursuit and the like?
Mitin Ebissa : I am 28 years old. I grew up in Addis Abeba around Ayer tena.
I am an Electrical Engineer. I graduated from Adama Science and Technology University.
I was raised by a good family which respects my education more than anything. I have 3 brothers and 5 sisters. I am the only one with inclination towards engineering/technology field. Most of my family members are focused on especially in financial fields.
I attended elementary and secondary school at Hope Enterprise. This school afforde me foothold for school and good discipline.
The Ethiopian Herald: How were you drawn to the Electrical Engineering field? Till recent times it was a profession set aside for men. What can you say about that?
Mitin: My inspiration was my Physics teacher at early stage of pre-high school. She made me adore the subject. She persuaded me about the significance of focusing on new technologies showing me the way how.
Basically Physics was considered a difficult subject in many areas so she made me see how easy it is if one strives to commit oneself to something viewed challenging. As such it was easy for me to choose Electrical Engineering as my walk of life.
The Ethiopian Herald: What is meant by process engineering and also maintenance management? Do tell us about your engagements in these tasks
Mitin: After graduation I started my career journey in TRANSSION Manufacturing as a process engineer. TRANSSION Manufacturing is a manufacturer of electronics products like mobile, TV and home appliances with brand TECNO, Itel and Synix.
My basic responsibility was to introduce new products i.e. I assemble new mobiles receiving new raw materials, check the function and mainly show the assembly line how to produce with good quality, give technical solution, analysis and finally come up with the sought-for products with good speed. I did work in this position for one year. Then I changed to a new position System engineer which is mainly following the entire process from receiving raw material to delivering finished product to customers. This position gave me good experience to know all process of work in manufacturing industry.
Herald: Could you brief us about the bright spots in your life? How do you manage to handle electrical, industrial, mechanical engineering fields harmonizing with managerial skills? Did you get awards for your excellence?
Mitin: I got awarded for employee of the year for implementing ISO standards and also certifying the company for ISO 9001- 2008 Quality management system. Then I got promoted to Supervisory position which is managing Quality management department. I was working in that position for two years. This position gave me a good training on management and mainly leadership ability. The great opportunity in this company was one is allowed to try everything new and work on it. I joined Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry after four years in TRANSSION manufacturing.
I joined YEKABDI AGRO PROCESSING /WOW mineral water as Electrical team supervisor because my main target was to work on automated system.
It was located 175KM away from my home city. So I had to relocate to new city and it was a new challenge. To join new manufacturing company and different system is a bit challenging (i.e. from Electronics to FMCG) so I have a lot to learn and it was a good experience for me because it helped me learn and have a good experience in mechanical works. I was able to work electrical works and mechanical works as well.
In April 2019 I joined Artesian bottling which is manufacturing of Sinalco soft drinks of Germany brand as Maintenance manager of electromechanical team. When I joined this company it was in project state so I was able to learn Project management skill and added a lot of technical skills since the machines were not commissioned and tried well. Hence it was a great opportunity to learn from Germany technical team.
The Ethiopian Herald: What where some of the hurdles you faced in professional engagement that could have a spillover effect on your personal life?
Mitin: Throughout my career experience I have been challenged with
- Time, i.e. long working hours, I used to go home at mid night more than 12 hours of working time per day.
- Many people don’t prefer to hire a lady because the wrong estimation that technical works mainly requires labor work. But from my experience especially electrical works require knowledge plus experience rather than physical exertion.
The Ethiopian Herald: Could you tell us about your aspirations down the road?
Mitin: Now I am going to start Project management MBA program since there are lots of Project management skill gaps in our country i.e. in Construction, industry and governmental institutions so I am very much interested to work in Project management of technical team in industries mainly in expansion.
The Ethiopian Herald: What should be the way forward in your profession?
Mitin: For Our country to be developed in Industrial practices we need to narrow the education gap in universities. That is the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills. For this Internship in one semester for engineering students is not enough. Concerning the current situation in many companies expats are invited to train the local employees.
The Ethiopian Herald: What messages do you want to convey to young high school and university students who wants to emulate you?
Mitin: Finally, I would like to say anything is possible as long as you are committed, open and positive to learn a new thing especially these days many things are easy and very close to learn.
The Ethiopian Herald Sunday Edition 17 Novebmer 2019
BY ALEM HAILU
