For Prenisha Govender it took her enduring sleepless nights and non-existent weekends in order to focus on her academic work. She graduated Cum Laude for her BTech: Civil Engineering this morning, 06 May 2019 at the Fred Crookes Sports Centre, Steve Biko Campus.
“One of the greatest challenges was working and studying part time to obtain my Bachelors of Technology Degree in Civil Engineering. Working hard to prove yourself to already well – established engineers is tiring enough, to then attend classes at the end of a long day of work can be labouring. Focusing on completing assignments and preparing for exams whilst meeting deadlines for your company can become a tough act to juggle. Through perseverance and the support of my family I have managed to complete my qualification,” she said.
This was the second time that Govender graduated with Cum Laude, as she achieved the same accomplishment during her undergraduate studies for a National Diploma in Civil Engineering.
“I carried that same hard working and dedicated attitude as I studied further. Being employed and trying to complete your qualification is one of the most daunting tasks I had to do. Nevertheless, yet again I’m proud to graduate Cum Laude for my Bachelors of Technology Degree in Civil Engineering,” she said.
Govender has always been fond of mathematics and science, hence her strong passion for engineering. “As a pupil I enjoyed mathematics and science in addition to enjoying the engineering drawings that we were tasked with at school. I also had a fascination with how the infrastructure around us is being developed, or simply how it even came about. For a while I did contemplate if it was the right career choice, but soon found myself enjoying it, more especially knowing that I could be a part of something that improves the world around us. Knowing that you are improving the lives of others with what you do, is one of the most rewarding and gratifying feelings as an engineer,” she added.
She also added that she would have not been able to achieve this without the gracious support from her family and parents. “I probably wouldn’t have made it this far if it wasn’t for the help of my parents and siblings. I was very fortunate to have an elder brother that always advised me and motivated me to be the best version of me. His success made me want my own, and he always ensured that I never stopped working for it,” said Govender.
Currently Govender is employed as a Graduate Technologist at a Civil Engineering Consulting Firm. “In the years to come I would like to gain sufficient experience to eventually be a professionally registered technologist. I am also quite eager to further my studies in the forthcoming years,” she said.
She encouraged current students to work hard and strike a good balance between their academic work and social life. “Understand that as much as hard work and achieving your dreams are important, but don’t be afraid to fail. Failure is the part of life that allows you learn more,” she said.
Pictured: Prenisha Govender.
Nduduzo Ndlovu
