August 27, 2024
I’m Vhahangwele Mbedzi, and I’ve been with Radiometer since 2019. I started as an intern and now work as a Field Service Engineer (FSE) in South Africa. As the first and only female FSE in my region, I think my journey has been one of determination and resilience in a field traditionally dominated by men.
From Intern to Field Service Engineer
My journey with Radiometer began when I applied for an internship program as an Intern Field Service Engineer. This role requires extensive traveling, often long distances to remote places, at various hours during both day and night, to solve technical issues at customer sites. When I saw the job posting with male applicants being preferred because of safety concerns when traveling to customer sites. I didn’t let it discourage me. I thought to myself, “I can do this,” and decided to take a chance.
During the interview, I remember the first skepticism from the male department manager. He said that typically this position is challenging for a woman because it requires a lot of traveling and there are generally safety concerns. I responded confidently, “Yes, I know. I can do it,” I said. “Whatever men can do, I can do it twice as well.” We all laughed at this. Despite the first hesitation, my confidence impressed the interviewers, particularly the female general manager who saw potential in bringing diversity to the engineering department.
Overcoming Initial Challenges
The start of my journey wasn’t easy. For the first three months, none of the existing FSEs took me out to the field. It was frustrating, but instead of getting discouraged, I used this time productively. I went through all the devices manuals and watched training videos, building a strong foundation of knowledge about our devices and procedures. I got to know the machines so much better.
After those three months, I went to my manager and voiced my concerns about not getting field exposure. That’s when things started to change. My perseverance paid off, and I finally started going on field visits. At first, I shadowed other engineers, but soon I was trusted to handle visits alone as an intern.
I quickly gained the trust of our customers through my efficient problem-solving. I remember feeling proud when I realized I could fix device issues faster than some of my more experienced colleagues. This was the result of those months I spent studying every detail of our devices.
My hard work didn’t go unnoticed. In my first year as a full-time Field Service Engineer, I won an award for my performance (Cullinan diamond award). That recognition meant a lot to me and confirmed my decision to pursue this career despite the initial challenges.
Thriving in a Dynamic Role
My job involves extensive travel across South Africa and other African countries. I love the diversity of my work. One day I might be in Johannesburg, the next in Cape Town, and the week after in a rural area, hours from the nearest airport. Every day brings new challenges and challenges to solve.
I often tell people that the fact that I must travel around and attend to different challenges every day is what makes this job exciting. It’s true, variety keeps me on my toes and ensures I’m always learning.
Of course, being a woman in this role comes with its own set of challenges, especially with safety during night calls and travel. Sometimes the customer sites are 1500 kilometers (about 930 mi) away so we must fly. There are some rural areas that don’t have airports so we must drive four to six hours to the site. I’ve had to develop strategies to ensure my security. For instance, I’ve built strong relationships with many of our customers. If I get a late-night call to an area that I know might be unsafe, I can often ask to come first thing in the morning instead.
I’ve also learned to be vigilant and take precautions when traveling. I choose my vehicle carefully, nothing too flashy that might attract unwanted attention. It’s about being smart and aware of your surroundings.
Continuous Learning and Growth
My passion for learning didn’t stop when I got this job. If anything, it intensified. Right now, I’m pursuing my third qualification – a degree in Business Informatics. This isn’t just about adding another certificate to my wall. I have a vision for my future: I want to develop my technical role into a more business-focused one.
I see potential for growth in our IT solutions market in Africa, but I believe there is room to improve its marketing. By understanding the nitty gritty and seeing how the business side works, I hope to understand what can be done to grow the IT solution market because it’s huge and it will have a great impact. I hope to contribute to growing this part of our business.
This drive for personal development aligns perfectly with Radiometer’s culture. We’re always encouraged to set development goals and we have support in achieving them. It’s not just about growing within the company, it’s about personal growth that helps me no matter where my career takes me.
Advice for Aspiring Female Engineers
When young women ask me about pursuing a career as a Field Service Engineer, I always emphasize the importance of hard work and initiative. I tell them, “If you want to grow, you will grow. But if you want to be stagnant, you will be stagnant.” This role, and this company, provide opportunities, but you must be willing to seize them.
I also stress the need for more female representation in management roles. It makes a difference. I remember how seeing a female general manager during my interview gave me confidence. We need more of that, more visible role models to inspire and attract more women to this field.
Interested in joining Vhahangwele and the rest of the team at Radiometer? Check out open roles across Danaher or join our talent community today.