Women engineers introduce mentorship scheme for Lagos corps members

The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) has advised female engineering graduates serving under the National Youths Service Corp (NYSC) in Lagos state to take advantage of its recently launched mentorship scheme to develop their career.

Chairman, APWEN Lagos chapter, Dr. Atinuke Owolabi, gave the advice at a sensitisation programme entitled: “Empowering the next generation of female engineers”, under the APWEN Lagos Idiat Amusu mentorship initiative for female engineering Corp members held at the NYSC orientation Camp, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.

She explained that mentorship is crucial to career development as it is compared to having a compass on a journey to navigate challenges whether it’s career planning, balancing work and life, or dealing with workplace dynamics.

Atinuke said: “The journey into the engineering profession isn’t always straightforward. As graduates, many of you might feel uncertain about the next steps. That’s where mentorship comes in. A mentor provides guidance from their own experiences. It also helps build connections. Through APWEN, you gain access to a network of engineers who can open doors for you in ways you never imagined.”

The chairman noted that APWEN had one mission, which is to empower women to excel in engineering and contribute to national development, adding that over the years, the association has broken barriers, inspired countless young girls to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers, and led impactful projects across Nigeria.

On how the APWEN mentorship programme works, she said: We pair you with experienced female engineers who understand the challenges you face. These mentors are professionals who are ready to guide you as you transition into the workforce, helping you grow your technical and personal skills. Some things you would have access to as a part of this programme include regular one-on-one sessions with your mentor, access to career development workshops, networking opportunities with leaders in the field, and a supportive community that truly understands your journey.”

Also addressing the corps members, a former national chairman, Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Mrs. Funmilade Akingbagbohun, expressed optimism that as young engineering Corps members, their future is bright and full of possibilities as they possess power to shape Nigeria’s infrastructure, drive innovation, and improve lives.