Thriving in a male-dominated field
RAHIMAH Munir, 42, is never worried whenever she has a faulty electrical appliance at home, even during the enhanced movement control order.
That’s because the engineer is skilled at repairing electrical items and knows how to get a malfunctioning piece to work again.
“I developed an interest in electrical repair work while pursuing my higher diploma in electronics engineering at Institut Kemahiran Mara in Petaling Jaya. I like the idea of fixing something out of order and bringing it back to life. It’s fun to inspect, test, repair and modify electrical components to make things work,” said Rahimah in a phone interview from Kuala Lumpur.
The handywoman is certainly breaking down gender barriers.
“Some men are surprised that I can fix electrical appliances and install a fan. I majored in electrical engineering and I’m well-versed in the subject matter encompassing devices and systems using electricity and electronics.
“Women have what it takes to venture into any field, even male-dominated ones like STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics),” said Rahimah, who works as an electrical specialist at a private college in Kuala Lumpur.
Prior to the pandemic, she’d travel on her motorbike to lend a hand to close friends who needed help with electrical repairs. But these days, the single woman prefers to repair faulty items from the comfort of her three-bedded apartment in Balakong.
One of her rooms is converted into her work studio where she does repair jobs. It is well-equipped with tools, including a soldering iron kit, multimeter and pliers of different sizes.
“My favourite tool is the digital multimeter. This is an indispensable tool for all electricians because it is used for testing and troubleshooting electrical circuits, components and devices,” shared Rahimah, who takes precautionary measures like wearing safety glasses and rubber gloves to protect from shocks and burns.
Born and raised in Hutan Melintang, Perak, the miss-fix-it turns to social media platforms like Youtube, Pinterest and Instagram to learn new tricks of the trade, especially about smart TVS and other digital devices.
“Technology is changing rapidly, especially with the creation of new smart televisions with the latest components. To keep abreast, it is important to learn new skills online,” said Rahimah, who shares photos of her repair work at @Aiemmunir on Facebook.
On weekends, Rahimah will be busy at home working on her little projects, spending between four and eight hours on her passion.
“It is important to have a hobby to occupy our time during the pandemic. It can range from simple DIY projects and cooking to gardening.
“It always brings me joy to repair a spoiled device and bring it back to life. There’s nothing more satisfying than fixing an electrical device and saving it from being thrown away into the landfill,” explained Rahimah, who charges a minimal sum for her labour.