My goal is to assume an engineering management role in the energy sector. I seek a place where I can apply my expertise and skills to optimize operations and performance. I aim to  provide innovative solutions, reduce costs through technology integration, enhance effectiveness,  and ensure sustainability.I am Atif Alatifi from Yemen, a mechanical engineer with 8 years of experience in power plants, managing operations and maintenance of power generation sites of varying capacities. I earned my BSc degree in applied mechanical engineering in 2016 from the University of Aden, Faculty of Engineering, with a major project focused on the preliminary design of impulse steam turbines and calculations of rotors’ natural frequencies. I started my career as a mechanical technician in a diesel power plant, and through hard work and rapid upskilling, I advanced to supervisory and management roles, overseeing site operations and maintenance.
I chose UniAthena to pursue my MEM program because they made me feel engaged and supported from the very beginning, and the program offered is tailored to and aligned with my future goals. This Master in Engineering Management (MEM) program will help me integrate my technical expertise with business management, enhance my leadership and management skills, and prepare me to lead engineering teams and large-scale projects. It additionally will strengthen my critical thinking, data analysis, and decision-making abilities, which I can apply to streamline operations, reduce costs and waste, improve efficiency, and promote sustainability.

Upon completing this master’s program, I am excited to plan for a PhD or Doctorate in the engineering domain.

My goal is to take on an engineering management role in the energy sector. I seek a place where I can apply my expertise and skills in optimizing operations and performance while providing innovative solutions. I aim to reduce waste and costs through technology integration, achieve effectiveness and stability, and ensure sustainability.

I am not following a fixed plan. Typically, I study for at least an hour on workdays, unless an emergency arises. On holidays, I dedicate three to five hours to studying. However, I make ongoing adjustments based on what has been achieved, what still needs to be covered, and the time remaining, to ensure that I complete the course on time.

One of the most significant challenges I faced while working toward a goal came at the very beginning of my career. I started as a mechanical technician trainee with no pay, determined to become a full-time engineer on the service team within 10 months. I worked tirelessly in operations and repair services, striving to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical applications. I provided thorough analysis and solutions to problems, not only mechanical, but also electrical and control-related. This often required me to work late into the night.

It was difficult, especially as I was financially struggling while working without pay. Yet, through persistence and dedication, I achieved my goal in just 7 months. My efforts and expertise were recognized and appreciated, and I was offered a full-time role, not only as an engineer, but as a service supervisor.

Although the journey was demanding, I did more than achieve my goal; I exceeded expectations. This experience taught me that challenges are essential for growth. They make me stronger, braver, and ultimately more rewarded. The more difficult the journey, the greater the reward at the end.

Discipline, resilience and adaptability, integrity, consistency, passion, empathy, proactivity, curiosity, and dedicate yourself to professional growth and development. 

One moment that pushed me beyond my comfort zone was when I was managing one power generation site within a larger project consisting of five sites. I noticed an unusual increase in turbocharger failures across all sites, and replacement demands were rising. None of the project management team addressed the issue, and although I was responsible for only one site, I decided to take ownership of discovering and solving the problem. I spoke with the projects and operations manager, coordinated with repair teams from the other sites to gather inputs and updates, and reviewed the repair work performed at the main workshop. I even repaired some turbochargers myself and sent them back to the sites. Through this effort, the root causes were identified, corrective actions were implemented, and the issue was resolved. The solution was formally reported to the projects and operations management as well as the service department.

The problem was monitored and tracked for six months, during which I prepared a detailed quantitative report for management. The report demonstrated how replacement demands were gradually reduced, repair work was improved, and unnecessary costs were eliminated. I could have stayed in my comfort zone and focused only on managing my site like others did by simply ordering replacements instead of addressing the underlying issue. But I chose to step outside my comfort zone and lead the change.

The Only Way to Win: How Building Character Drives Higher Achievement and Greater Fulfillment in Business and Life, by Jim Loehr. 

I aim to take on the role of an engineering leader in the energy sector, where I can reach my full potential, lead and train teams, and make a meaningful impact.

Keep working hard and gaining as much hands-on experience as possible, while continuously learning and upskilling. Be honest, and treat others with respect and empathy. As Yvonne Orji once said, “Your character and integrity will take you places your talent can’t.”