An ‘asset to the automation space’
Eight years ago, a successful career in the automation engineering industry was but a faraway dream for Rachel Arcos Busby.
Today, through determination and over-coming many challenges such as those that come with moving to a new country, Arcos Busby’s employer Nemesys says the Filipino-born engineer has “broken new ground” within the male-dominated landscape.
“Rachel is a champion of the automation industry,” says Ruth Robinson, director business support at Nemesys.
Arcos Busby uses and develops her trade in the Taranaki as the lead Nemesys engineer servicing that region.
“The autonomy of her role means that she faces the challenges of being a woman in the industry head on, but she proves herself time and time again,” says Robinson.
The tough but rewarding career road that Arcos Busby has travelled began when studying chemical and material engineering at university; and upon graduating applying for a Hamilton-based process engineering position – offered with the lure of training to be an automation engineer.
“I just said to myself,‘I reckon I could give this a go’, and that’s how I landed in automation engineering. Any time there is an opportunity in the industry, you should take it, otherwise you might not get where you want to be.”
Looking back, Arcos Busby is proud of what she has done and where her career is heading. But it is her looking towards the future and a continual strive for improvement that sets her apart.
“Sometimes I get questioned on my experience or work… but then those people will give you the best feedback after the project is finished.”
Robinson says Arcos Busby’s standard of work and positive attitude speaks for itself, and she sets an example for other women in the industry.
“I’ve learned to be flexible,” says Arcos Busby. “Things change a lot on site and sometimes you need to go with the flow.”
Robinson agrees, while pointing to a bright future for the young woman. “What the future holds for Rachel has no limit, but one thing is for sure – she is an asset to the automation space.”