Paving a Unique Career Path in Engineering with the Telecel Female Engineering Students Scholarship Programme
When Georgia Agyekum was deciding which academic program to pursue in high school, she, like many Ghanaian children, faced parental pressure to choose General Science and become a doctor. However, Georgia quickly realized that biology wasn’t her passion.
“Every parent seems to want their child to become a doctor,” Georgia said with a laugh.
In early 2009, as Georgia was selecting a university program, she faced similar pressure from friends and acquaintances who urged her to abandon engineering in favor of business administration.
“It was more like, ‘Engineering isn’t a woman’s field. Why are you choosing it? Women should do business,’” they said.
Despite societal norms steering women toward traditional career paths, Georgia dared to be different. Driven by a love for problem-solving, she defied expectations and enrolled in Telecom Engineering at Ghana Telecom University College.
Turning Point
Georgia’s pivotal moment came in 2012 when she received the Female Engineering Students Scholarship Programme (FESSP) award from Telecel Ghana (then Vodafone).
She was one of 10 female students selected for that year’s cohort.
“I was thrilled when I got the call from the Human Resource Representative saying I’d been chosen after the screening and interview process.
I was in my third year, and the award covered my final year tuition, hostel fees, and some book expenses.”
Since its inception in 2011, FESSP has supported and empowered 90 exceptional female final-year engineering students with financial aid, mentorship, tech tools, and work opportunities.
Through FESSP and other diversity initiatives, Telecel Ghana aims to address gender imbalance in engineering and inspire more women to pursue technical careers in this field.
Career Trajectory
Georgia completed an internship at Telecel Ghana before graduation, followed by national service at the company.
She then transitioned into the graduate program, gaining exposure to various roles across IT, corporate systems, and network architecture.
Now, Georgia works as a sales solutions architect at Telecel Ghana, designing and implementing IT systems to support telecom operations and business processes.
“The internship was eye-opening. Rotating through different teams during the graduate program clarified my career path. Each role brought new skills and opportunities for growth. Managing people and continuous learning have been crucial skills I’ve developed.”
Career-Boosting Mentorship
Mentorship played a key role in Georgia’s career. Her mentor, Eunice Annor Kwafo, currently a Core Planning Manager at Telecel Ghana, was instrumental in guiding her through various rotational positions.
“My mentor went above and beyond, even helping me with personal challenges. Mentorship is vital for young engineers, especially women. Having a dedicated mentor made a significant difference and is essential for guiding young engineers.”
Breaking the Glass Ceiling
Reflecting on her challenges, Georgia mentioned the comments she faced in male-dominated roles. “Every female engineer encounters hurdles. Some people doubted my ability, suggesting female-dominated roles instead. But breaking that glass ceiling was crucial. My presence encouraged more women to join, proving we could succeed in these roles.”
Telecel Ghana’s FESSP exemplifies the organization’s commitment to empowering women and bridging the gender gap in STEM fields.
Hannah Ashiokai Akrong, Director of Human Resources at Telecel Ghana, emphasized, “Diversity and Inclusion are important to us. This initiative helps bring more talented young female engineering students on board, bridging the gender gap and fostering a diverse, innovative workforce.
We are proud to have supported 90 female engineering students since 2011 and look forward to welcoming more.”
Georgia advises aspiring female engineers: “Be passionately interested in your field. Seek mentorship and be prepared for challenges.
The journey won’t be smooth, but with genuine interest and resilience, you can succeed.”Paving a Unique Career Path in Engineering with the Telecel Female Engineering Students Scholarship Programme
