My route back to railway engineering has taken me through technical support, business ownership and raising three children. Although my circumstances have changed since completing my Diploma in Railway Engineering, my ambition to develop a career in the field has remained. I now want to build on that qualification through degree-level study and bring the practical judgement I have developed through work and family responsibilities to a demanding technical discipline.
My diploma established my interest in railway engineering and gave me a foundation for further study. I want to deepen that knowledge and understand more fully how the different elements of a railway system work together. What interests me is the relationship between technical decisions and the reliability of a service that people and businesses depend on. Studying the subject further would help me develop the analytical skills needed for professional practice.
After moving to the United Kingdom, I worked in building care and security before becoming a desktop engineer. Supporting computers, network connections and software required me to investigate problems, identify their causes and communicate with users. This experience strengthened my patience and taught me to approach technical difficulties systematically. It also showed me that finding a solution is only part of the task: the person relying on that solution needs to understand what has happened and what to do next.
I later established a candle-production business. Managing employees and keeping production running brought responsibilities beyond my own workload. I had to consider how decisions affected other people while balancing the needs of the business with those of my family. The disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic ended that venture, but it did not remove the organisational skills or sense of responsibility I gained from running it.
Settling in a new country and supporting my children have required persistence. These experiences are part of my preparation for university. As my children become more independent, I see an opportunity to give sustained attention to the education I have wanted to pursue for many years.
I am applying to continue my development in railway engineering. I would bring an existing qualification in the subject, experience of technical problem-solving and a considered commitment to returning to study. My aim is to develop the knowledge needed to contribute to railway services and, in time, apply that experience in Africa. A degree represents a purposeful next step towards that goal.