Yasmin Smith StudIEAust, a Mechanical Engineer at Curtin University has been awarded the APPEA Oil and Gas Industry Engineering Scholarship, presented by Western Australia’s Minister for Mines and Petroleum, the Hon. Bill Marmion.
Yasmin was recognised for her involvement with the Society of Petroleum Engineers and Engineers Without Borders. Engineers Australia interviewed Yasmin about her inspiration and what has driven her to succeed as a burgeoning young engineer.
What inspires you?
I’m inspired by people who are persistent in the face of adversity, are transparent about their failures, and are driven to pursue a vision that can better the world we live in.
Symbols of triumph like Michael Jordan and Elon Musk are just a few good examples. Before obtaining the status of being the “best there ever was, the best there ever will be” Jordan was rejected from varsity basketball as he was deemed too short to play. In 1984 he entered the NBA draft and was selected third overall. He has stated, “I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” This perseverance and ability to accept failure is what I find inspiring.
Best piece of advice your parents gave you?
My mum would always tell my siblings and I that “everything is relative”. It was essentially a reminder that our context defines the way we perceive not only our own experiences but also others, and that we should seek to empathize with others. We should consider the challenges and victories of others in the same way we would consider our own.
If the whole world was listening, what would you say?
Be grateful for what you have and look beyond yourself and your own needs when interacting with others.
Who is your hero?
Susan B. Anthony fought for women’s rights in America. She had little education and few rights, but proved herself to be the equal of men in determining the affairs of society and state. Her “failure is impossible” approach led to the enactment of the Susan B. Anthony amendment to the Constitution 14 years after her death. This granted women the right to vote and plays a significant part in society’s shift towards equality for all.