Maryam Sebzali

"I am very active and ambitious person, I had to participate and join varies activities, summer jobs and volunteering opportunities to discover my goal and purpose as a person. I found myself enjoying learning about energy and power. I aim to develop the energy sector and improve the efficiency of energy devices such as heat exchangers and wind turbines. Also, I would like to raise awareness about global issues such as climate change, health and increase diversity in STEM. "

" I work at an oil & gas company in Kuwait called KIPIC. Currently, I am completing my apprenticeship there as a mechanical maintenance engineer. I aim to develop the energy sector and improve the efficiency of energy devices. To reduce emissions and develop the oil sector to make it less harmful to the environment. "

"My passion for physics in high school inspired me to choose engineering as a major for my future career. Also, in high school, I joined a summer course at KISR (Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research), where I interacted with many engineers and researchers. That helped me to understand my career path more and helped me to settle with mechanical engineering as a career choice. Therefore, I decided that I want to study mechanical engineering abroad in the United Kingdom, to be more independent, develop different skills and explore different cultures. At my first year at the university, I joined the internship programme for university students at KISR as well, to discover the research area and workplace more. In my final year at the university, I joined optional modules in energy and heat transfer, where I realized that I want to proceed with further education, such as a master’s degree in energy. Therefore, after completing my bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Nottingham, I went to do my master degree in Thermal Power & Fluid Engineering at the University of Manchester. After graduation, I applied for several jobs in the energy sector in my home town Kuwait and abroad, because I believe it is important to keep your options open. Then I got a job offer from KIPIC after passing their exams and interview. "

"In my spare time, I enjoy doing outdoor activities such as taking my young siblings to the park, hiking and walking. I feel that outdoor activities makes me feel relaxed, especially after a long day of work. Fresh air, sun and physical activity always helps me to gain my energy back!"

"A typical day of a mechanical maintenance engineer at an oil & gas company, is to review maintenance plans and requirements that are provided by the senior engineers. A maintenance engineer performs maintenance work and repair of wide variety of equipment in the oil refinery. A refinery is a facility that is composed of group of utilities that converts raw material such as crude oil into products of value. Also, I visit the refinery site to check different parts such as valves, vessels and heat exchangers. At the site I must wear my special uniform, safety shoes and hat. "

"Professional qualifications: Mechanical Engineering (BEng) from the University of NottinghamMaster degree in Thermal Power & Fluid Engineering from the University of Manchester Professional skills:Problem solving Project planning Data Analysis Communication Team-work"