From a family rooted in engineering to making her own mark - Candice’s journey shows how early inspiration can grow into a career built on impact and meaningful change.
What did you think engineering would be like before you started?
Engineering was always around me growing up, so I understood quite early on how broad and impactful it could be. Before I started, I already had a strong sense of what engineering could be like because it was such a big part of my family. My grandfather was a mechanical engineer and chief engineer for Kenyan Railways and Harbours, and my other grandfather was a chief mine engineer and geologist at the Phalaborwa Mine in South Africa. Both were passionate about engineering and shared their experiences with me from a very young age, which really shaped my interest and understanding of the profession. I knew it was male-dominated, and it didn’t bother me then and it still doesn’t now.
What surprised you most about working in engineering?
What surprised me most is how much of engineering happens behind the scenes. If we do our jobs well, people stay safe, risks are managed, and things just work.
I think people underestimate how much responsibility sits behind engineering; a lot of success is invisible because everything is running as it should.
Can you share a moment in your career that you’re proud of?
Some of my proudest moments have been working in environments where we provide services that people rely on every day - whether that’s infrastructure, connectivity or safety.
One moment I’ll always remember was helping hand over water rollers to a rural community — it was a reminder of how meaningful practical support can be.
A few other favourite moments have been on sites in far flung locations, in an operations or compliance capacity, but doing work that ultimately supports providing essentials services, whether its Data Centre connectivity or water supply.
What would you say to a younger version of yourself?
I’d tell my younger self to trust your gut and know that life becomes what you choose to make of it, keep being a daydreamer, and say yes to things – sometimes without knowing all the answers.
