For many engineering professionals, the path toward qualification is a straight line: school, university, employment. The journey, however, has been anything but conventional for EIT Student Ambassador Rebekah Naidoo.
An accomplished Solutions Architect based in Johannesburg, South Africa, Rebekah uses her experience to inspire others to pursue engineering on their own terms. Her story is one of resilience, determination, and belief that one can build a thriving career while balancing education and personal aspirations.
Forging her own path
Rebekah’s interest in engineering began early. After graduating high school, she enrolled in university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in electronics engineering. Life, however, took an unexpected turn. Financial constraints forced her to leave only after a year, putting academic plans on hold.
What followed was a decade-long career built on hands-on learning and relentless growth, starting as a Technical Administrator before moving to Project Coordinator at an automation company. She then stepped into a more advanced, customer-facing role as a Solutions Architect, a position she has now held for five years.
While the ‘Solutions Architect’ title is common in Information Technology, Rebekah specializes in the operations side of things. Her work focuses on designing intelligent automated systems (integrating equipment, sensors, and software to bring machinery to life), serving as the link between customer needs and engineering execution.
“I’m the person who goes to your site. You tell me what problem you’re experiencing, and I tell you what PLC you need, what SCADA system is appropriate, how long it’ll take, and what components are required.”
Turning point
Yet, even as her career flourished, the feeling of ‘imposter syndrome,’ lingered. “I saw all these qualified engineers around me, and here I was without a formal engineering qualification, doing the same work.”
This motivated her to return to studying, but traditional universities in South Africa posed a challenge: engineering programs were offered only full-time, an impossible option for someone already deeply invested in her career.
Her colleagues’ recommendation? Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT)
“I learned that EIT offers online engineering programs. It was exactly what I needed. It meant I didn’t have to sacrifice my job or my responsibilities. My company also supported me and provided a bursary.”
Rebekah enrolled and completed 52886WA Advanced Diploma of Industrial Automation Engineering, all while maintaining her high-paced career and even planning a wedding. “EIT made it all possible. I didn’t even have to request academic time off.”
Now married, Rebekah is also expecting her first child. Her personal life is blossoming alongside her professional journey, but she plans to take a short academic break first to focus on family.
Inspiring the next generation
As an EIT Student Ambassador, Rebekah spotlights the possibilities that flexible, quality engineering education can provide.
“I want future students to know that mainstream universities aren’t the only path to becoming an engineer. It is absolutely possible to build a career, have a family, and still pursue formal studies. EIT is an enabling platform, and I wish I knew about it years ago.”
Her message, especially to women, is empowering: “You can have it all. The journey isn’t easy, but if you put your mind to it, anything is possible.”