A HIGHWAY design engineer has the responsibility to assist in the preparation and management of internal and external road design projects, something that Serona Tavaiqia Liebling Fremlin does for a living.

Serona, who works for the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) as a highway design engineer, really did not see herself as an engineer and had later realised her true potential when she entered university.

For about two years Serona has worked for FRA, this was after working for Shri Singh and Associates in the past.

“In high school I enjoyed taking technical drawing and received the TVET Department Shield and the Late Neil Maharaj’s Trophy in 2013,” she said.

“These achievements inspired me even more to take up the architectural course in FNU, however, I later switched to civil engineering for a broader and more diverse engagement in the engineering field.”

Difficulties faced, Serona said in life every individual had their own share of difficulties but she was able to get through hers with the never-ending support from her family, friends and work colleagues from her previous workplace (Shri Singh and Associates (SSAL) as well as her colleagues in FRA who have shown her tremendous support and contributed to her individual growth and development in her career choice.

Serona says even though the engineering field has always been considered a male-oriented field, females are clearly showing interest and are also setting a standard as well in the engineering community not only in engineering but in other predominantly male workplace too.

“I have three siblings, an older brother, twin sister and a younger sister — and they all in some shape or form have contributed to my choice to become an engineer but also, credit goes out to my dad and grandmother who have continuously supported our dreams and aspirations especially my engineering career,”she said

She said a tough memory she has was probably trying to adapt to the design and procurement team when she first joined the authority.

Her fondest memory is being selected to represent FRA at the Interim Reporting and Practitioner’s Workshop for the pre-feasibility study on the implementation of the ITS in Seoul, Korea.

“The never-ending support gained from my previous boss at SSAL, as well as my current boss, Michael Dale to improve as an individual and an engineer on a daily basis plays a key role in moulding me and supporting me within this field and being a female only makes me want to work even harder to show my passion towards my career choice,” she said.

She said her next step now would be to study more in order to improve herself within her line of work.

“To try is probably the hardest thing ever, but you would not know your full potential unless you do,” is her advice to young engineering enthusiasts.