Makanaka Bessie Muniswa: Aspiring Aerospace Engineer
Job title:
Aspiring Aerospace Engineer at Truro and Penwith College
Location:
Cornwall
What inspired you to go into engineering?
I’ve always been fascinated by how things work, especially aircraft and advanced technology. My interest in engineering grew through studying maths and science and through experiences like STEM activities and work experience, where I saw how engineering combines creativity, problem-solving and real-world impact.
What do you love about your job?
What draws me to engineering is not only the innovation and problem-solving involved, but also the responsibility it carries. In aerospace especially, precision, safety and reliability are critical because even small decisions can have significant consequences. I deeply respect that level of responsibility, and I find it motivating to work towards a field where technical excellence truly matters.
What do you think will be the most exciting developments in your industry over the next 5-10 years?
Sustainable aviation, advanced materials, AI-assisted design and autonomous systems are likely to transform the industry. These developments could make aircraft safer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly.
Why would you encourage more girls to pursue a career like yours?
Diverse perspectives lead to better innovation and problem-solving.This helps to ensure that talented people aren’t discouraged from pursuing careers they would excel in.
Sustainable aviation and xxx live AI-assisted design sound like the sort of thing that'll actually change how we fly, and it's refreshing to hear someone so young talk about precision and responsibility rather than just the cool factor. I get a lot of my fun from the UK platform, so finding a story like this was a nice surprise. Her point about diverse perspectives leading to better problem-solving is spot on — more girls in aerospace can only be a good thing.