The International Day of Women in Engineering

INESH KENZHINA
• Nuclear Physics

I choose the profession of nuclear physics since I was born at my family, where my father is a famous nuclear physicist. Moreover, I was inspired from my childhood to participate and build the first Nuclear Power Plant in my country. My father taught me physics since the very young age, and I was aware about all the reactor engineering.

Nuclear engineering is a great profession for women since it requires attention, high intellectual qualities, what are definitely women qualities.

I was dreaming to work at NAC Kazatomprom and participate in making decisions about the development of nuclear industry in my country, but now I am working as a Senior Researcher in Laboratory of Structural Materials of Nuclear Power Plants. However, I am not regretting it at all, and very glad to work on advancing nuclear science in Kazakhstan.

MARIYA ABISHEVA
• Geodesy and remote sensing

The quality of any person's life depends to a large extent on what they do for a living. Why did I choose my profession? Not every woman can boast of having a geodesic education. I was attracted by the opportunity to visit different parts of our country and to describe these places not only from a tourist's point of view, but also to present their geodesic characteristics. It is very important to love your profession, to respect yourself and others, to improve, to constantly evolve by adding to your professional experience.

Nowadays, the engineering profession is vital for solving many of the problems facing society. The engineering profession has always been and always will be in demand, as progress never stands still and engineers are the main engines of progress. Engineers are responsible for many inventions without which we cannot imagine our lives today. All this made me realise that women engineers can work at the same level and get the same recognition as their male colleagues. Lovely women, set career goals for yourselves and work hard to achieve them.

In 2019, I was appointed head of the Training and Information Centre - a position I still hold today. In terms of experience, I would advise you to improve your professional skills, add to your personal knowledge bank and then your efforts will not go unnoticed.
As a student, I couldn't have imagined that one day I would have a team of about 20 people in my employ.
The more experience you can get working in different positions and in different teams, the better results you achieve.

TATYANA ZAVYALOVA
• Chemical technology of inorganic substances

I chose the profession of chemist because I am a child of the mine. My mother and stepfather worked in Tabak-Bulak geological exploration batch N-81. My summer holidays were spent in the steppe, on exploration expeditions among the drill rigs. I have also liked chemistry since my school years. My youth passed in Taukent, I always looked with admiration on laboratory assistants, my friend's mother worked in laboratory, all these women were so beautiful in white coats! And I wanted to be like that too. I married a geophysical engineer. So, all my surroundings were related to the nuclear industry.

To inspire young people, you first of all have to be an example for them. To share your experience and knowledge with young professionals, to support them with your positive attitude!

I have been working as a chemical engineer since 2013, starting my career as a laboratory assistant in chemical analysis in 2005. So, I know all the work of the laboratory from my own experience. When I studied, of course, I didn't expect that I would hold a management position and that so many difficulties and trials would be on my way to work. But I'm very happy to work in NAC Kazatomprom system. I am glad that my labour contribution in work of enterprise is appreciated by management of JV ZARECHNOYE. I am always ready to share my experience with young specialists.

DIANA DAVYDENKO
• Technical physics

Physics has been of interest to me since I was a high school student, because among the basic fundamental sciences of nature, physics is undoubtedly at the forefront. We are surrounded by physical bodies, physical phenomena happen around us, and we ourselves are part of this endless process. But perhaps the greatest number of mysteries and discoveries is in nuclear physics. I had a great desire to study physics in more depth and to work in this field.

Physics is a very interesting and promising field, and its versatility is hard to overestimate, just as it is hard to pinpoint its limits. Nuclear power is not yet well understood, and there is a unique opportunity to engage in research and development with leading scientists in our country and around the world. There are extremely good job opportunities for engineers in physics. The engineering profession is now regaining its prestige and decent pay in all sectors. Public and private enterprises are in dire need of people in engineering professions.

At present I work in the branch of the Institute of Atomic Energy of the National Nuclear Centre of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in the Department of Nuclear Safety and Development of Atomic Energy, as an engineer. During studying at university it was a pleasant surprise for me to have an opportunity to pass professional practice both at enterprises of nuclear industry and at the Centre of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology. I think it's a great opportunity for students to find their own field of work.

TATYANA KHARINA
• Ecology in the production process

I chose this profession because more than one generation in our family has worked in the industry. I have always wanted to understand why rivers are drying up, fish are dying, snow is falling in summer and how to prevent all this so that our children's generation will pilot clean water, breathe fresh air and not suffer from the lack of land taken over by industrial waste.

The job of an engineer requires a high degree of professionalism. To many it seems to be exclusively a man's profession, but there are also many women willing to create and invent something new and they do it very well and maybe even better than men! The main thing is to have a goal and a desire to leave their mark on history and benefit humanity!

I am currently working as a Lead Environmental Engineer in my company. Together with my colleagues, we identify the environmental aspects of our production in order to prevent future environmental impacts.