Describe your job.
I'm a GIS technician. I collect and represent information about our environment through maps. For example if I want to show all the roads that are found in Nairobi, instead of listing them in a very long sheet, I'll show them all in a very simple map, where you can be able to get more information to help you navigate around the city.
What problem does your job help to solve? How does your job make the world a better place?
Using the example about roads in the city, I will collect data about the roads such as what position does it occupy? What is the name of the road? Who is the road serving? How many lanes does it have? Does it have potholes? How many other roads are connected to it? Once all this information is gathered, I use specialized software to visualize and manipulate it to get information for instance, the road has potholes because heavy trucks use it regularly or maybe there's no drainage thus contributing to weathering of the road surface. It's that information that's used to make decisions like, should heavy trucks be diverted to other roads instead or does a drain need to be constructed? In this case, good transportation ensures products can move easily and affordably from factory/farm to market hence contributing to economic growth.
Why did you choose a career in Engineering? What was your greatest influence in making the decision?
I wanted (still want) to work for Mercedes and I really liked Math. Engineers are problem solvers, I wanted to solve as many problems as I could with the skills I would gain.
What are you passionate about?
Mentorship- if I can pass on anything I've learnt I will not hesitate to.
What would you enjoy doing even if you were not paid to do it?
Anything art related
State some of your hobbies.
Baking and eating baked goods, sketching, reading anything and everything (especially comic books)
What advice would you give your 16 year old self?
That you live and you learn, appreciate every experience for what it is and learn from it. Also when you get offered a chance to go on a Euro trip, don't think twice just go!
What would you like to be remembered for?
Being a positive influence on everyone i ever interact with.
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