NURJUNEETA 'AYSHA TAN
Feminine yet tough Rolls Royce Engine Technician.
NOV 28, 2014
edited by NADIA YEO
written by ARISSA CHARMAINE TEO
Photo of the lovely NurJuneeta 'Aysha Tan
Alhamdulillah. Working at Rolls Royce must not have been easy. How did you become an engine technician with Rolls Royce?
I have always been fascinated with flying and I wanted to be a pilot. Unfortunately, due to physical requirements, I could not qualify for the medical examination. So I thought to myself: “Even if I can't be a pilot, I can still be close to those beautiful flying machines. Subhanallah”.
With this passion, I furthered my studies in the aerospace industry, completing my diploma in aerospace electronics at Temasek Polytechnic (TP) and foundation degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Kingston, London. I later applied to work at Rolls Royce and alhamdulillah was accepted by them.
We understand that engineering requires a good grasp of mathematics and science. Was studying engineering difficult for you?
I love maths and science - especially physics! I know it may sound weird but numbers are fun to play around with. As for physics, it is all around us. From the way you lift a pen to making it go from stationary to flying in the air! It's all physics! Allahu akhbar! To me, these subjects are easy to grasp.
I also come from a family of engineers - from civil engineering to electrical engineering to mechanical engineering. It's in the blood!
Photos of an Engine Technician at work
What advice would you give to others who may want to follow the same career path?
Muslims who would like to walk down this career path will have to consider the consequences or sacrifices they may have to make to pursue this career.
If I had been a practicing muslim at an earlier stage in my life, I may have preferred to follow my religion since I would think that the rewards may be greater in the hereafter.
But if you do follow this career path, find ways to do whatever is wajib and also be prepared for the consequences. It is not easy but it can be worth it. Those who are determined to follow down this path should, during the interview, ask the interviewer whether the company would allow them to pray or whether staff are allowed to wear the hijab etc.
I don't regret where I am now. Working is ibadah and for the sake of Allah. Working is about seeking sustenance or rizq from our Sustainer.
Share with us one memorable experience that you had encountered at work.
I work shifts and my night shifts often end in the wee hours. There was once when during a night shift in the wee hours of the morning, while I was having a break, I decided to do my Isyak prayers. There weren't any prayer rooms or designated areas for praying within my building section, so I had to go into an empty meeting room to pray. I wore my white praying garment and prayed in the meeting room with my back facing the door.
My company, has a policy that requires its staff to switch off the lights when the rooms are not in use. As I was doing my last raka'at and finishing off my prayers, I heard someone - my manager - open the door with the intention of switching off the lights. When I heard a stumble, I nearly broke out in laughter. I had to quickly finish my salaam and turn around to assure my manager that all was well.
That was a most memorable incident at work!
What are your future plans?
I would want to complete my degree to take a step up in my career from being an engine technician to being an engineer.
I joined Rolls Royce as an engine technician so that I could better understand the fundamentals of engineering here - be it on the aircraft engine or for a particular component of the aircraft. That way, when I step up as an engineer in the future, I will have a better understanding of the issues my technicians may face or go through and the improvements that I can make for the company and my colleagues.